Vashon Island News Record

Smith Gives Burton Club His Views of New Airplane Patent
Mr. Horace H. Smith, of the Smith Airplane Co., in his talk before the Burton Improvement Club, Thursday night said in part:

"The immediate object of forming the Smith Airplane Co., was to protect the patents of the company. This alone is a serious task and demands study and finances. As most of you know, the patents cover a new application of lift in ships heavier than air. A search of the patent office files gave us returns that indicate we are in a virgin field. This can readily be understood to be possible, when you recall that man's power to fly has only come within the past 30 years, and progress is always by steps.

But there is another phase of equal importance and that is actual physical growth. This in a broad way can only be accomplished by men and women gathered together and working under unified interest. The company forms the vehicle by which this unity of purpose is to be achieved.

"We are beginning small. The present organization is as corporations go a very small affair, but as we gain a working nucleus, growth will be automatic. As our assets increase in value we plan on enlargement to meet that value. What will be the ultimate size is beyond our present measure.

"Our present concern right now is to give this corporation strength and that strength must come from men and women like ourselves. The conception that great developments have their beginning in power and prestige is nearly always in error. All things must have a beginning, and that beginning is nearly always small. The thing that governs growth is the capacity for growth—The Smith Airplane Co., has that capacity.

"And at all times, it must be borne in mind, that every stockholder in the company owns in the patents in proportion as he or she owns in the company. Is it too much to suggest that many people now residents of Vashon Island will in time have vital interests in many other lands."