Howard Hughes (standing) , talking with William Powell, Veronica Lake, and Andr? Toth (seated) and Johnny Meier, Hughes Public Relations head, behind, at the 21 Club in New York City.
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "As Hughes Visited Washington To Thank Cordell Hull, Washing, D. C. -- Police escorting Howard Hughes holding hat, through the admiring throungs at the Washington Airport as the intrepid flyer and his four companions on his Round-The-World flight came to the Capital, July 21st, to personally thank Secretary of State Cordell Hull for his cooperation in clearing their take-offs on their flight. Credit Line (ACME) 7/21/38."