Five weeks ago (TIME, July 11) Charles Augustus Lindbergh wished to pay an informal call on Daytonian Orville Wright, pioneer aviator. This wish he satisfied by driving a motor car through back streets of Dayton, by visiting with Orville Wright, by driving away through back streets of Dayton.
Unsatisfied were Daytonians who, hearing of his proposed call, had planned speeches, celebrations. Deprived of demonstrations, the Daytonians muttered and scowled. Said their police chief, "A dirty, backalley trick." Their mayor, Allen C. McDonald, said: ". . . Dayton will not soon forget." Said a sarcastic department store, five days after, using Colonel Lindbergh's visit for self-advertising to draw attention to their "spirit of economy" bargain sale: "There will be no disappointments in this demonstration!"
Last week Charles Augustus Lindbergh again visited Dayton, this time on the course of his U. S. tour to stir aviation interest. Early one afternoon the Spirit of St. Louis whirled, drifted, slid down out of a blue sky, landed on McCook Field. The field was almost literally deserted. So, after a brief conversation with officials, Colonel Lindbergh sailed up in the air once more, reappeared one hour later at the time scheduled for his arrival. Seven thousand citizens, shrilling and cheering, heard Colonel Lindbergh gravely remark on Dayton as an aviation centre.
Officials of Dayton accompanied Colonel Lindbergh while he visited the National Military Home to shake hands with veterans, while he placed a wreath on the grave of Wilbur Wright, while he attended a dinner given in his honor at which Mayor Allen C. McDonald presided. At this dinner, Mayor McDonald presented the aviator with a scroll, signed by himself, saying, "From the Citizens of Dayton ... on the occasion of his official visit ... as an evidence of their appreciation. . .."
On the occasion of Colonel Lindbergh's official visit to Dayton there was no scowling, no muttering. City and county offices were ordered closed at noon. No department store displayed satirical advertisements. Nothing was said about back alleys. And the Dayton Daily News said: "Lindbergh Lasts. . . . The longevity of this Lindbergh 'boom' is as remarkable as anything in connection with Lindbergh's feat. . . ."
In Germany