A PIONEER OF THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 160, 1 April 1919, Page 8

A PIONEER OF THE AIR

MONUMENT TO WJLBUII WRIGHT. Le Mans,. aiv historic' city of Western France, litis honoured tho names of two men whose memories have 'bound in indissoluble tics of friendship Franee and the United States—Lafayette and Wilbur Wright; «s ono famous French Parliamentarian put it aptly, "Father and son of American independence." A century ago Lafayette, with Benjamin Constant, two great defenders of tho rights of tho people against the oppression of autocracy, wore elected Deputies, of tho Department of the Sarthe. At Lo linns ten years ago Wilbur Wright demonstrated, after many vicissitudes, tho practicability of navigation of the air by a heavier-than-air machine. Tho •United States and France, on December 22, 1018, in tho presence of distinguished statesmen, showed appreciation of this epoch-making event of a decade ago. Tho ceremonies included laying tho foundation-stono of a monument to Wilbur Wright, erected by tho people of La Mans, in tho Place <los Jacobins, at foot, of tho rising ground 011 which, the' Cathedral stands, tho presentation of a commemorative tablet to Lo Mans by tho Aero Club of America, and a memorial ( tablet and bronzo wreath from tho citizens of Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur Wright's birthplace. American and French troops look part in tho ceremonies, and the occasion was taken for a further manifestation of the good feeling between the two nations. Nothing in the history of tho Department of tho Sarfcho over equalled this manifestation of homage to tho memory of "Wilbur Wright, whose litli>figure and intellectual face are still revered in tho memory of those who were acquainted with him.

The Wright Memorial will bo completed within two yeap. The site selected eould not liavo boon better chosen. Standing, as it doe,?, almost under the shadow of the great cathedral, it links up early history with Wright's epochmalting triumph. The statue, 36ft. high, will be (he work of if. Paul Landowski, who was responsible for tho big Reformation memorial at Geneva, and who is the possessor of the Prix de Borne. Lnndowski wns a sergeant in the first, lino engineering corps of tho French Army, and is the wearer of tho Croix de Gnerrp. Tho Wright statue is to stand on o broad base, from the centre of which will rear a. gigantic pinnacled rock, symbolising the summits of the earth, and ou tho top of this will be the lis;tiro of a man striving to climb higher. Facing tho Place will be the representation of tho "inventor of the modern aeroplane." Inscribed on the monupvent: is to lie a f( 110tii'ioe. from Victor Hugo: T have the wings, T aspire, Mr flight is sure, T have the wings for the tempest and for the azure. All the details sfliow the statue to he a fine connection, in keeping with the highest traditions of French art.