"The one surface machine, built by Gustave Whitehead for Louis R. Adams, was tenderly carried around to the back stretch by a score of volunteer porters. An automobile was hitched to it."

Louis R. Adams, owner of the Adams Chewing Gum Company, was an automobile racer and aeronaut. He appears to have also been somewhat hot-headed and enjoyed political intrigue.

His involvement in the Aero Club of America was largely directed at bringing its downfall and deposing its Director. He was part of a group which rebelled against what it called the Club's "Parlor Aeronauts" (mostly balloonists) and set up the "New York Aeronautical Society".

In the article below, "L.L.Adams" is presumed to be a typo and that it was actually "L.R.Adams". Adams was
- from Long Island,
- an Aero Club member and
- had received and was flying his glider at that time.

1908 Motorcycle Illustrated, Vol. 3, Motorcycle Publishing Co. p.427

Louis R. Adams was President of the Long Island Automobile Club:

Louis R. Adams was Vice President and Director of the Aeronautic Society:

The above references document Adams' function at the Aero Club.