Happy Halloween #7 -- October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween to all. The photograph of actress Grace Bradley comes from http://www.lucywho.com/,  Grace Bradley was the wife of Hopalong Cassidey, William Boyd.  

Fay Wray and Kong -- October 30, 2013

Actress Fay Wray and her dog Kong.  Fay Wray was a star who appeared in many important horror movies, including King Kong, The Most Dangerous Game and The Mystery of the Wax Museum.  She was really good at screaming.

From the 1933 World Film Encyclopedia, a British publication. 

I was sorry to see the Red Sox beat the Cardinals to win the World Series.  The Red Sox won it at home for the first time since the war-shortened 1918 season.  

A Hat for Every Occasion -- October 30, 2013

I like the Automobile Hat.  From the 16-May-1915 New York Tribune. 

Clara Bow #9 -- October 29, 2013

Red haired Clara Bow was probably the most popular silent actress after Mary Pickford. Clara Bow and three cats celebrate Halloween. 

Dolbeau and Lawrence on B. L. & M. -- October 28, 2013

Henri Dolbeau drove the Breese, Lawrence and Moulton car in the Vanderbilt race preliminaries.  Sidney Breese, Charles Lawrence and Andrew Moulton built the B. L. and M.  It failed to start in the elimination race.  The Pope-Toledo hit a tree during the Vanderbilt Cup race.

From the 20-September-1906 Motor Way. 

Lou Reed RIP -- October 28, 2013

Lou Reed died.  The Velvet Underground was not like the Airplane or the Dead or the Sopwith Camel.  It was a lot darker.  Everyone is writing that the band inspired punk, and it probably did.  I didn't understand all of his solo work, but some of it was wonderful. 

White Zombie -- October 27, 2013

One of my favorite horror movies is White Zombie, produced and directed by the Halperin Brothers.  Bela Lugosi as Murder Legendre chewed the scenery to shreds.  The sets, many borrowed from Universal movies, had great atmosphere.  Madge Bellamy gave her best performance in a talkie. Where can I get a "Zombie Grip?"

Hillsdale -- October 26, 2013

Today we took a drive to Hillsdale.  We bought something for the candy dish at the office from See's Candy.  We bought Christmas cards, with cable cars, from Macy's Holiday Lane.  We had lunch at Boudin's.  Then my wife did some shopping at Macy's. 

The Cardinals won game three after the Boston third baseman tripped the Saint Louis baserunner who was trying to score.  The home plate umpire called obstruction.  

San Francisco and San Jose Railroad 150 -- October 26, 2013

I see that I missed the 17-October-2013 150th anniversary of the opening of the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad between the city and Menlo Park.  The Southern Pacific took over in 1870 and today CalTrain operates commute service and Union Pacific hauls freight.  Here is a postcard view of the Menlo Park Southern Pacific station. 

It's Hard Work Being a Cat #76 -- October 25, 2013

We have a special guest this month since we are approaching Halloween.  This cat has appeared on Everglades in Pacifica for three years.  I took the photo on 15-October-2013. 

We went to a Halloween party at the Moose Lodge.  

Ten Cents to Vallejo -- October 24, 2013

From the 22-November-1895 San Francisco Call. William A Coulter did many maritime drawings for the newspaper. Click on the image for a larger view. 

The steamer Sunol competed with the Hatch Brothers' Monticello Steamship Company and the Southern Pacific's boats to carry passengers and freight from Vallejo to San Francisco. Learn more about it on my ferryboat site: http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ferry/

TEN CENTS TO VALLEJO

The Southern Pacific Has the Fight of Its Life on Its Hands.

TO MARE ISLAND FOR A DIME.

A Triangular Battle Between the Steamers Sunol, the Herald and the Monticello.

The war of rates goes merrily on, and each day the public gains some new advantage. The Southern Pacific has the fight of its life on hand, and it is a question with it of either sink or swim. There will be a desperate battle over the Portland and Puget Sound trade, but the right to maintain its passenger traffic between Selbys, Port Costa, Vallejo and Mare Island will be equally as bitter. To any of these points the fare by rail is $1. On Monday next Piper, Aden, Goodall & Co., in order to protect their freight business, which has been seriously cut into, propose starting a steamer which will carry passengers at 10 cents apiece.

The steamer Sunol is now being refitted for the traffic. Her saloon is being recarpeted, the steward's quarters have been fixed up, a new piano and a supply of music have been purchased, and if that and the 10-cent fare will not draw the crowd the owners of the Sunol say they will hire a brass band. The owners of the other opposition say they are in the fight to stay, and it is rumored that before this day week the Southern Pacific boat will be carrying passengers for 5 cents.

It is a triangular fight and is likely to be long continued. The contestants are Piper, Aden, Goodall & Co., owners of the stern-wheeler Sunol; Hatch Bros., owners of the screw steamer Monticello, and the Southern Pacific stern-wheeler Herald.  The Sunol is one of the fastest vessels of her class on the bay, and the races between here and Vallejo will be principally between her and the Monticello.

A couple of years ago Piper, Aden, Goodall & Co. buried the hatchet with the Southern Pacific. At that time the Sunol and Herald were running opposition and rates were down to 25 cents each way. An amicable understanding was reached by which the Herald was withdrawn and the railroad took all the passenger traffic while the Sunol got the freight. Soon after this arrangement was reached the Rosalie was put on the route in opposition, but she did not last long and was sent to Puget Sound to try her luck in the Alaskan trade.

After the Rosalie retired the railroad company had it all its own way for nearly two years in the passenger business, and all travelers to Vallejo and Mare Island had to pay $1 each way.

This state of affairs could not last forever and when the Hatch Bros, saw the opening they brought the Monticello here from Puget Sound and put her on the route. On the way to San Francisco the little craft broke down, and, strange to say, was picked, up by a Southern Pacific steamer and 'towed into port. A libel suit for the towage bill is now pending in the United States District Court.

As soon as the Monticello was repaired and put in good order she was put in opposition to the railroad. The round trip was fixed at $1 and a single fare at 75 cents.  The Southern Pacific officials could not stand any such invasion on its domain so the Herald was called out of retirement and started carrying passengers at 25 cents a single fare.

Even at the lower rate the people would not patronize the Herald and the Hatch Bros. were doing well, but they wanted to do still better. They reached out after the freight business and secured considerable of it. That aroused the ire of Piper, Aden, Goodall & Co. and thus the merry war began. As matters now stand the Monticello is carrying passengers at 75 cents the round trip, while the Herald is charging 50 cents and the Sunol 20 cents for a similar service. All the steamers leave at 4 p. m. next Monday and the race to Vallejo will be an interesting one.

"It is simply a case of self-preservation with us," said A. B. Pryor of Piper, Aden, Goodall & Co., yesterday. "We don't want any of the passenger trade, but if the Herald and Monticello are going to cut into our freight business why we'll fight back. We've got to, and that is all there is to the matter. So long as they let us alone we were contented, but when the Hatch Bros. began carrying freight at cut rates and the Southern Pacific went them one better we thought it was tune to get into the fight ourselves. From Monday next our steamer will carry passengers, and the rate will be 10 cents. If the Herald cuts the fare to 5 cents why we'll go them one better and give a round trip for 5 cents. We are in this fight to win, and I think we can stay with it as long as either the Southern .Pacific or Hatch Bros."

"Ours is a legitimate opposition to the Southern Pacific," said C. Hatch, in speaking of the matter. "We have given the people of Vallejo, Mare Island and Port Costa a better steamer service than they ever have had, and if they don't want to support us why well and good. We have carried very little freight and don't want to handle it, but when our regular customers ask us to do so what can we do in the matter? As to reducing rates we will wait and see what the traveling public is going to do in the circumstances."

 

Erected A.D. 1896 -- October 23, 2013

This marker at the front of the Ferry Building commemorates its construction.  Chief Engineer Howard C Holmes also built the Powell Street cable car lines.  I took the photo on 04-October-2013. 

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Corsica Four Place Open Tourer -- October 22, 2013

We visited the Blackhawk Museum in June to drool over their collection of classic autos.  This 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Corsica Four Place Open Tourer.  Milanese engineer Ettore Bugatti, who built some of the most wonderful autos, carefully numbered his designs from his 1898 Type 1 through Type 73, designed during World War II.  

The "S" stood for surbaissé because of the lowered lines of the car. The "C" was for compresseur because the car was returned to the factory to have a supercharger installed. The body was designed by the Corsica Coach Works in London.  I like the black body with the red upholstery. 

If I can't ever have a Duesenberg, I would be happy to have a Bugatti. 

BART Back in Service -- October 22, 2013

On the news last night, BART unions announced that they had settled and would return to work today.  A BART spokesperson said that they may be able to have trains rolling at 4am, but perhaps not full service.  I'm afraid the death of two people who were struck by a train over the weekend helped to spur the settlement.  The two men were inspecting track and were struck by a train running under computer control.  The operator was a "trainee," which must mean a manager being trained as a scab. 

I worked from home today. 

I took the photo on Friday in the Embarcadero Station.  During the first part of the strike, the station had hand-lettered signs. 

The Speckled Band -- October 21, 2013

This set of theater ads from the 05-December-1910 New York Tribune shows that two Sherlock Holmes plays were running at the same time.  William Gillette had revived his own play Sherlock Holmes and Lewis S Stone, who later played Judge Hardy, appeared as Sherlock Holmes in The Speckled Band, adapted by Arthur Conan Doyle himself.  I have not been able to find much more about this production, so it may not have been a success.  HA Saintsbury had appeared in the play in Britain with great success.  William Gillette was making one of many farewell appearances in his play. 

Saint Louis vs Boston -- October 20, 2013

We watched the Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers to earn the American League pennant, so the Red Sox will play the Saint Louis Cardinals in the World Series.  They played in the 1946 Series and the Cardinals won 4-3. 

Comic Book #28 -- October 20, 2013

EC was famous for its horror comics, The Vault of Horror, The Haunt of Fear and Tales From the Crypt.  I like the ad in the background that says "Stomach Upset?" 

The image is from the wonderful site CoverBrowser (http://www.coverbrowser.com/).  

Good Shepherd Greeter -- October 19, 2013

I took my mother to meet the mother of one of the classmates I met at the Saint Monica's reunion.  We had a nice visit. 

At Good Shepherd, I learned that I have been appointed a greeter for 5 o'clock mass.  It was very cold in the vestibule.  My wife and I took the census during the homily.  We were Eucharistic ministers, too. 

After we had dinner at Guerrero's Tacqueria. 



I took this photo of Stella Pilgrim's Good Shepherd statue at Good Shepherd Church on 12-June-2010.

Grauman's Chinese #31 -- October 19, 2013

In July, 2012 we paid a return visit to Hollywood and Grauman's Chinese Theater.  Sid Grauman was a San Francisco showman who came to Los Angeles and built three major houses, the Million Dollar, the Egyptian, and the Chinese. The theater has hosted many film premieres, but is most famous for the hand and footprints (and hoofprints and nose prints and other types of prints) in the forecourt.

Marcello Mastroianni, one of my favorite actors, left his hand and footprints on 08-February-1965.  He was funny and good-looking.  I liked his movies starring with Sophia Loren, directed by Fellini and Visconti and especially Big Deal on Madonna Street.

Last night we were happy to watch the Cardinals beat the Dodgers 9-0 to secure the National League pennant.  

Pulp #48 -- October 18, 2013

With Halloween coming, I thought Terror Tales would be a good pulp to feature this month.

The image is from a wonderful site called Cover Browser:
http://www.coverbrowser.com/.

BART is on strike.  I drove to my mom's house in the Richmond and took and express bus downtown.  I took another express home and visited a bit.  Then my wife and I had dinner at the Moose Lodge.  

It's the Fact That I'm a Winner -- October 18, 2013

After he left Mack Sennett, Harry Langdon's first feature on a lucrative First National contract was Tramp Tramp Tramp, the story of cross-country walking race.

 This ad is from the 14-March-1926 Film Daily. It is one of a series of cross-country ads to parallel the race. Here he arrives in Denver and stands on a mountaintop. I am missing the ad where he visited Omaha.  Next stop, Salt Lake City. 

BART Strike Again -- October 17, 2013

After a 30-hour negotiating session the unions withdrew because BART management continues to fool around and not be serious.  Management won't address safety issues.  There is a very good chance that BART will shut down at midnight.  I'm very frustrated. 

On the 24th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, we participated in the Great California ShakeOut.  I got under my table.  

The Suicide Caucus Gave Up -- October 17, 2013

After shutting down the government, hurting millions of people and trying to force the country to default on its debts, the American Taliban in the House of Representatives gave up and passed the Senate bill.  I wonder who has profited from all the uncertainty introduced by these treasonous representatives.  I wonder if anyone can be prosecuted for it. 

Nickname #30 -- October 16, 2013

Lon Chaney was an extraordinary actor who became known as "The Man of a Thousand Faces" because of his skill with makeup and his dedication to his art.  Here we see him as Erik, The Phantom of the Opera. 

Coming in November, the Chaney Blogathon, dedicated to Lon Chaney and his son Quentin, later known as Lon Chaney, Jr.

A Delightful Fantasy Brilliantly Produced -- October 15, 2013

The Oz Film Manufacturing Company, located in Los Angeles, was formed in 1914 to produce movies based on stories by L Frank Baum, the creator of The Wizard of Oz.  The company made some movies, but was not a financial success. This ad is from the 03-October-1914 edition of Moving Picture World.  Their first movie, The Patchwork Girl of Oz was featured on the cover and in an ad mentioning that it was released on 28-September-1914.  The ad mentions their second movie, The Magic Cloak of Oz.  Be sure to click on the images to see larger versions.

Madonna Inn -- October 15, 2013

We visited beautiful San Luis Obispo for the dedication of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum and the 2013 Central Coast Railroad Festival.  We got off work early on Friday and had a nice drive down to San Luis Obispo.  We checked in at the Madonna Inn and found it as interesting as we had always heard.

There were rocks in the walls and the paving and the chimneys.  Alex Madonna's pick and shovel symbol was in all the concrete. 

We parked near our room and saw that there was a large paddock, with cows and two horses. 

We stayed in the Pioneer America Room, a large room with rustic furniture.  There was a big map over the bed with pictures of various explorers, from Columbus to Lewis and Clark.  There was a blunderbuss and a powder horn in a display case by the side of the king bed.  The furniture was rustic, except for a leather couch and a love seat. 

We went out to dinner, and the NLCS game between the Cardinals and the Dodgers was on.  We got back to the room during the eighth and we lay to watch the end of the game.  It went on to the 13th.  We were happy to see the Cardinals win. 

Saturday morning we walked down to the restaurant to have breakfast.  There were more stones.  The place was very busy.  My waffle was excellent.  Walking back to the room, we met a nice cat, who came out of the grass by the paddock, meowed at us and rubbed our legs. 

We were happy we finally got to stay at the Madonna Inn. 

Muni Heritage Weekend Weekend Coming -- October 14, 2013

On November 2 and 3 Muni will operate vintage equipment for the public's enjoyment, including GMC New Look coach 3287, seen above in November, 2012.  Also operating will be vintage streetcars on the F line, Cal Cable car 42, which rarely appears on the streets, and vintage Diesel and trolley coaches.  Read more on the Market Street Railway blog:
http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/10/muni-heritage-weekend-nov-2-3.html

Central Coast Railroad Festival 2013 -- October 14, 2013

The dedication of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2013/10/san-luis-obispo-railroad-museum.html) was part of the 2013 Central Coast Railroad Festival.  Events took place around  San Luis Obispo and throughout the central coast.  We visited an HO narrow gauge at the library.

Union Pacific sent an SD 9043 MAC, 8087, for the occasion.  It was impressive to see it up close. 

San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Dedication -- October 13, 2013

We visited beautiful San Luis Obispo for the dedication of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum and the 2013 Central Coast Railroad Festival.  I've been trying to remember, but I think this is the first time I was ever present for the opening of a museum.  We got off work early on Friday and had a nice drive down to San Luis Obispo.  We checked in at the Madonna Inn and found it as interesting as we had always heard.

Saturday we went to the museum, in the former Southern Pacific freight house.  Parking was tight.  Volunteers were giving rides on two speeders on the track by the museum.  There was a crowd on the platform, where vendors were selling books and photos.  We went in through the small bookstore.  The main part of the museum was a large room with exhibits on the local railroads, Southern Pacific/Union Pacific, the Pacific Coast Railroad and the Santa Maria Valley Railroad.  They had a mining car from a cinnabar mine south of San Luis Obispo.  There was a car and a section of track from an temporary agricultural railroad.  There was a freight agent's desk with an official SP spittoon.  They had lanterns and schedules and other railroad paraphernalia.  Upstairs in the back, they had model railroad layouts with room for many more to come.

I told several volunteers they had a wonderful museum.  I hope to visit again.

The dedication at 11:30 had a speech by Brad Larose, president of the museum, who talked about the 23 year process that led to the opening.  Lisa Stark, Union Pacific Director of Public Affairs called the museum founders the most organized and professional group she had worked with.  UP declared San Luis Obispo an official Train Town USA.  Jan Marx, Mayor of San Luis Obispo, said that the town council had worked with the museum people for many years.  She said the retirement home billboard out front will come down and be replaced by a sign for the museum.  She issued a proclamation for the opening day, and then joined a group cutting the ribbon.

Then we went and looked at a locomotive that UP sent for the occasion, an SD 9043 MAC.  It was nice to see it up close.

We walked to the train station, then drove to the public library, where an HO narrow gauge group had a display. 

Ferry Flip Board -- October 13, 2013

The departure board in the Ferry Building.  I like watching the characters flip when it updates.  I took the photo in February, 2013. 

Happy Columbus Day #7 -- October 12, 2013

Happy Columbus Day to those of you who still remember it.

Joe Simon 100 -- October 11, 2013

Joe Simon, who created Captain America with Jack Kirby, was born on 11-October-1913.

Simon served in the Coast Guard during World War II.

The image of Captain America Number 1 comes from a wonderful blog, Hitler Getting Punched (http://hitlergettingpunched.blogspot.com/).

I was sad to learn that Commander Scott Carpenter, the second American in space, has died.  He trained to be a naval aviator during World War II, then served during the Korean War.  After he flew into space, he joined the Navy's Sealab project. John Glenn is the last surviving Mercury program astronaut. 

Giuseppe Verdi 200 -- October 10, 2013

The greatest opera composer of them all, Giuseppe Verdi, was born on 10-October-1813 in Le Roncole in the Emilia-Romagna region.  The village is now called Roncole Verdi.  At the time the Parma region was controlled by the French.  Verdi studied composition and began to write operas.  He broke many rules, he wrote many beautiful melodies and he payed unusually close attention to the libretti.  Many of his works, including Rigoletto, Otello and Il Trovatore, are basic items in the repertory of almost every opera company.  His music is often thought of as the theme music of the Risorgimento, the Italian movement for freedom and unity.

The Traction is Equipped to Serve You -- October 9, 2013

Interurban Illinois Traction advertised its services in the 06-September-1923 Variety.  Show people were encouraged to ride the overnight sleepers or daytime parlor cars between Peoria and Saint Louis.  "Windows in upper berths, safe deposit vaults for valuables, and berths six inches longer ... 36 and 60 foot baggage and scenery cars." 

Downtown Disney -- October 8, 2013

The movie theater in Downtown Disney. Signs advertised The Lone Ranger, which was a monumental flop. The next door bookstore has been converted to a sandwich shop. I took the photo during our visit in July, 2013.

Tom Mix #10 -- October 7, 2013

Tom Mix in Who's Who in the Motion Pictures, 1920.  Most of the text is not true.  He was born in Pennsylvania.  he did not go to VMI.  He did serve in the army, but did not go overseas.  There is some controversy, but I don't think he was a US Marshal.  But who cares? 

Train Station #64 -- October 6, 2013

Ardenwood Station serves as the entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm Regional Park in Fremont. It is, I believe, a replica of a South Pacific Coast depot.  I took the photo from the train pushed by Porter locomotive Ann Marie during this year's annual Labor Day Railfair. 

Saint Monicas Reunion -- October 5, 2013

It was very warm today.  We went to 5 o'clock mass at Good Shepherd.  My wife and I did the census and we were Eucharistic ministers.  Then we drove to Saint Monica's for a class reunion, our first.  One classmate said he thought I would be the only person he would recognize.  The black-framed glasses probably helped.  I was surprised how many people remembered me.  Sister Barbara, our old English teacher, was there.  I told here I have made much use of her lessons.  It was a nice evening and I'm grateful to the classmates who organized it and found so many of us. 

I took the photo on 23-October-2011. 

Bessie Love #10 -- October 5, 2013

I have always been fascinated by the career of actress Bessie Love.  She was born in Texas.  Her name was Juanita Horton.  Her family moved to Los Angeles and she went to Los Angeles High School.  Looking for work, she met director  DW Griffith and got a small part in Intolerance.  She appeared in movies with William S Hart and Douglas Fairbanks.  She was a 1922 WAMPAS (Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers) Baby Star.  She played many leading roles, most famously in The Lost World, but never broke through until the talkies came, when she starred in The Broadway Melody.  Her career was hot for a few years, but then tailed off.  She continued to appear in small parts in movies until the early 1980s.

This ad is from the February, 1930 Photoplay.

Feast 0f Saint Francis #4 -- October 4, 2013

Today is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.  I'm sorry I don't know the source of this image of Saint Francis preaching to the animals.  I thought about him when our cat died this year. 

Firehouse #72 -- October 3, 2013

The New York Tribune of 05-September-1910 published the design of a new type of standardized firehouse for New York City. 

STANDARDIZES FIREHOUSES

Department Prepares to Erect 20 Fireproof Buildings.

Plans for the standard pattern flrehouses to be erected in the most congested districts shown by the late census are complete and Fire Commissioner Waldo is ready to begin work any day this week. Eighteen will be erected as soon as possible and two others somewhat later.

These new firehouses will be fireproof and built without wood. By standardizing the new houses Commissioner Waldo expects to save money. The new houses will cost about $30,000 to $40,000 for the small and $50,000 to $60,000 for the larger ones.

The sites of the new houses follow:

Manhattan — 111th street and Second avenue, 50th street and Lexington avenue, 181st street between Amsterdam and Audubon avenues, and No. 191 Fulton street
The Bronx — Morris avenue, between 168th and 169th streets, Prospect avenue and 152nd street, and Bailey avenue and Albany Road, Unionport.
Richmond — Sarah Ann and Hanna streets, Tompkinsvile.
Brooklyn — Nos 499 and 491 St. Johns Place, Twelfth avenue and 42d streets No. 582 Knickerbocker avenue, Nos. 244 and 246 Loraine street, Metropolitan avenue and Varick street, and Seventh avenue and 50th street.
Queens — Spruce street and Atlantic avenue, and Central and Mott avenues.

The designs for the new houses show a basement simply treated in stone, and above this and extending up through the remaining stories of the building a series of windows, with pilaster treatment on either side.

The only ornamental feature of the front consists of the arms of the city in low relief panel at the second story level. 

A New Idea for Good Magicians -- October 2, 2013

 

Herbert Albini had a large stage act.  In this ad from the 07-February-1913 Variety, Albini offers to set up an act for other magicians.  Albini died later that year.  Harry Blackstone bought many items for his first big show from Albini's estate.  I couldn't find anything about Roltaire or Devlin and Weedon. 

Government Shutdown -- October 2, 2013

The Tea Party minority of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives, called by one columnist the "suicide caucus," has managed to shut down the government by refusing to pass a continuing resolution.  This shows the danger of electing nihilists who hate our government to run our government.  If they manage, by doing this and by failing to raise the debt ceiling in a few weeks, to destroy the economy of the United States and perhaps that of the world, they will have fulfilled the cherished dreams of Osama bin Laden.  They are doing all of this in an effort to deprive the poor and working class of the opportunity to get decent medical care.  Are they doing it just because they hate Barack Obama?  Just because they don't like having an African-American man serving as president?  I wish Speaker Boehner would exercise some leadership and let the majority of the House that wants to pass the resolution get to work. 

With Porte He'll Try Ocean Flight -- October 1, 2013

British-born American George Hallet and British John Cyril Porte planned to fly a Curitiss Model H flying boat, America, from the United State to Britain in July, 1914. They were competing for the Daily Mail's ₤10,000 prize for the first non-stop fight across the Atlantic. Sponsored by Rodman Wanamaker, Curtiss and Porte developed the Model H. The attempt was cancelled because of approach of war. Hallett's specialty appears to have been engines.