Helicopter Case Baffles Nation
E. Isele Speaks
The following is an article published in 1954
in the local newspaper of Mineola,
Long Island, New York, USA
"The helicopter, the mode of transportation used today, has our police force
baffled. The fact that the situation has gone beyond the police control was
openly announced when the problem was placed on the congressional calendar
for January 31, 1954. The Senators from New York, Frank Savage and Kenneth
Wagner, suggested last week that the helicopter be prohibited. Their
suggestion was met with much disapproval as was indicated when the two
gentlemen from New York were bodily escorted from the Senate amidst the Bronx
cheers of their contemporaries.
Congresswoman Edith Isele is expected to present several "could-be" solutions
since she has defended several helicopter cases in the past. This current
problem is often referred to by the man on the street as the
Levins-LaGonterie disagreement which recalls the much publicized Tea Pot
Propeller case, in which Levins and LaGonterie were involved. Since this was
the first case that brought to the attention of the authorities the "out of
hand" condition of the helicopter, it has gone down in history.
This might also be a good time to release to the public the detrimental
influence the case had on the helicopter business. At the time of the case
Levins and LaGonterie had a small garage factory on the corner of Marcellus
Road in Mineola, New York. After income taxes had been deducted, their
yearly profit was approximately $18.02. Today, the expansion of the
helicopter business has necessitated the building of a one-mile assembly
line factory by Levins and LaGonterie.
The case was as follows: the law-abiding citizens of Mineola filed a
complaint stating that the helicopter made at the Levins-LaGonterie factory
caused static on thier radios which interfered with their listening to Marion
Gary's Arbitrary Board dealing with the marital problems of the people.
Also, on another occasion, the law-abiding citizens across the street from
the factory swore they saw twenty helicopters trying to land on the same
roof.
However, by the shrewd thinking of Edith Isele, their lawyer, the case was
won for Levins and LaGonterie. Judge Edward Uryas presided at the hearing
and was delighted by the decision of the jury on the case because he is a
staunch supporter of the helicopter."
Contribution : Cathy Bruggner
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