Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2744

Microfilm print of page 12, Aviation News, October 1918

 

 

SPENCER HEATH AND HIS FIRE PLUG

Few men in the aviation industry on this continent have become better known or more popular than Mr. Spencer Heath, president of the American Propeller & Manufacturing Co., of Baltimore, Md., and therefore the following incident is the more interesting. Mr. Heath, it appears, made a business call last April 16th and left his car standing at the curb opposite. While engaged within, city workmen came along and placed a fire plug, or hydrant, near the rear of his car. It must have been a quick job and of course Mr. Heath found his car standing in violation of a city ordinance and was obliged to report to the police. The two letters appended herewith and the promptness of both Mr. Heath and the police will show the humor of the situation:

                                               “April 19, 1918.

“Officer in Charge,

     “Police Station No. 1,

           Washington, D.C.

 

“Dear Sir:

“Responsive to notice left in my machine on April 16th, and in accordance with verbal arrangements with someone in your office, I send herewith certified check for $2.00 on account of your Water Department having carelessly placed a fire plug near the rear of my machine. Trusting that this will be satisfactory, I remain,

 

“Very truly yours,

“American Propeller & Mfg. Co., “Spencer Heath,

“President.”

M.C.M. “P.S.—The license number of my machine is 5206.”

 

                 “Washington,  D.C.  May 9th, 1918.
“Mr. Spencer Heath,                                  

          “Baltimore, Md. “Dear Sir:

“In view of the fact that the Water Department carelessly placed a fire plug near the rear of your automobile while the same was parked on the street, I am herewith returning your check for $2.00, with the suggestion, that when in this city, to be careful and park your automobile in a space where the Water Department is not likely to locate a fire plug.

               “Very respectively,

          E. E. Flasher,

     “Captain First Precinct.”