The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-21
Exposition Refuses Paris Aero
Clubs Request to Divide
Airship Award.
SERIES OF BALLOON RACES.
Immense Gas Generating Plant
and Aerodromes to Be Erected
by Professor Carl
Meyers.

A revival OF interest in the airship races
for the Worlds Fair is caused by the an
nouncement that the management has de-
clined the request Of the Aero Club OF Paris
that the grand prize Of 100000 be divided
into smaller premiums
Santos-Dumont also stands revealed az
the bitter opponent Of the Aero Club. on
the matter of division. He has won his
point with the Exposition authorities and
the grand prize remains intact.
In the way Of concession to the Aero
Club. the Exposition viii make public. in a
few days. the programme for q series OF
balloon races. along the lines Of those which
were q popular feature Of the Paris E1posi-
ton
Prizes ranging from $50 to so win be
awarded for the first arrival at given points.
II there are ten entries in any race. first.
second and third prizes will be awarded: II
but i've entries, two prizes. and with only
three entries, one award.
These events are distinct from and must
not be COMPOUNDED with the immense sum
set aside for the grand prize for dirigible
airships. nor arc they connected with the
long distance airship race to Washington,
D. C.
It has been decided that the Exposition
VIII build an extensive plant on the grounds
for the generation Of both hydrogen and
Illuminating gases for the imitation of bal
looms. q repair shop and q balloon yhed to
cost sD.ooe.
Doctor Carl Meyers Of Emfra, N. Y, IN
Aeronautio Committee. Aessrs C. W. Knapp
ably win be engaged by the Exposition to
superintend the construction Of the immense
generating watts and remain in charge OF
tho entire plant during the Fair.
TO MEET CoMMITTEE
He WIN be invited to meet the Special
Aercuautic Committee, Messrs c. ". Knapp
and Nathan Frank. early in September, for
FREQ discussion Of the plans for the gen.
Grating plant and the construction Of the
sheds. Besides the generation Of the gases,
the Exposition intends to repair damaged
ballons and recover and return balloons af-
ter every ascension and race. An addi-
Sional concession to the Aero Club CT
i TSras Is the ofier to furnish the SHEDS and
free Of charge to the participating aero
nautS In the balloon races. which viii cover
me entire active period Of the Fair.
Mg to the amount used by the aeronauts
These obligations call for the erection Of a
modern scientific plant Of large proportions,
TO De under the supervision Of skilled
ere.
Additional rules to given tho contest be-
tween balloons have been approved by the
Special Aeronautic Committee. Tele4rsms
received from Messrs. Knapp and Frank
sanction the issuance of the regulations.
The air craft m full hight will sweep
over the Exposition toward a given goal.
The first balloon arriving there viii be adj
Judged the winner. It Is expected that q
large number Of foreign aeronauts vim par
6cipata.
DUMoNT Is POSTED.
Regarding the recent cahlcsrazns stating
that santos-Dumont was ignorant Ct tho
plans for the airship contest for 100000.
Chief willard A Smith Of the Department
Of Transportation Exhibits. says Dumone
understands them perfectly and viii b. here
to take part In the big race, which will
occur some time In July.
The highest ascension test for balloons.
which was announced months 1EC as enc
of the features Of the aerouautic contests.
has been eliminated az dangerous and un-
necessary for the Demonstration Of any,
thing scientific.
In Connection with the request Of tho Aero
Club for the division Of the capital airship
the course be changed from nsurs L to a
square. This has been refused BY the Aero
nautic Committee, because, II II claimed.
the L course is the only ona that insures q
certain test Of dtrigibility.
In making the square course. the ship
would turn in the same direction every time
she changed her course: A circuit Of the
L course causes the ship to be turned in
every direction, with and against the wind
and from right to left. The L course must
be successfully sailed II any aerial nayi-
gator would win the 100000 prize.