The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-01
RACE IN MIDAIR FOR RECORD.
SIXTEEN BALLOONS START ON
LONG FLIGHT FROM PARIS.
Hope 90 Excel Count de II vaulx's Trip OF
lies Miles America Has Two Repre-
sentatives Big Crowd Sees the start
wind Not Favorable for the Racers.

WV W nv htaCCHas
Special Gable Despatch to The SUN.
PARIS, Sept. SO.-The gardens Of the
Tuileries to-day looked like anything but
h centre Of a modern indust trial city.
III only thing suggestive Of a bee hive Of
commercial activity was a myriad OF men,
women and children. extending from the
Louvre far into the Champs Elysees, and
cabs and automobiles toiling painfully
among the throngs in the n~eighboring
streets and the Place de la Concorde.
IL hardly seemed possible that the mere
presence OF sixteen balloons could effect
such a spectacle, but the ballOonists had
announced that they were to make a great
event OF this start for the worlds record in
long distance ~ballooning, and the thrifty
French turned out in thousands to enjoy a
free show. The atmosphere was clear n
vivifying and the sunshine was brilliant.
The enclosure at the western end Of the
gardens which was reserved for the start
was adorned with flags and bunting. Music
was furnished and the enthusiasm was con-
tinuous. Close at hand the sixteen balloons
could be seen, swaying slowly like ele-
plants swinging at their chains.
The had drawn lots for place.
Won Willer, in the Elf, representing Italy,
was the first to start. When the turn Of
Comte de la Vaulx. the present record
holder. came in the st. Alfalfa, represent
ing France, the crowds gave him an ovation.
There was a tense moment Immediately
following az the Comte's' car made a bad
clearing Of the Tuilleries Orangery and
the occupants had to throw out ballast
quickly.
Santos umont, in the Deux Ameriques.
representing America, attracted much
attention, he making the propeller Of his
car run rapidly for the amusement Of the
crowd. Whether loosely or otherwise
Santos-D umont before the start convinced
some French journalists that he could
utilize the hot water from his motors
circulation tube to make gro or, as one
added, to warm his feet.
Lahm, in the United States, represent
ing America, was the twelfth starter. 1t
was reported that he was accompanied by
Mr.. Hersey Of the Washington Meteoro-
logical Bureau. He had two American
flags, but for some reason one few upside
down.
Butler, in the City Of London, represent
ing England, preceded Lahm. Another
English representative, Huntington, in the
Zephyr, was the final starter.
The other starters were Abercron in the
Dusseldorf, Scherle in the Schamben and
Hervald in the Pommern, representing Ger
many; Herrera, in the Azazaz, Salamanca
in the Porte, and Kindelan in the Montana,
representing Spain; Vanden Briesche, repre-
senting Belgium, whose balloon did not
arrive in time, compelling him to hire one;
Rolls in the Britannia, representing Eng
land, and Count Saint Victor in the Foehn
and Balsam in III Vile ChAteauro ux,
representing France.
While the weather was all that could be
desired. the spectacle was bad for the scien-
tiflc and sporting aims Of this international
contest. for the wind held generally north
east. with no promise from the meteorologi-
cal experts that there was even hope Of the
aeronauts finding a kindlier current. This
wind would carry the b~alloonists to the
Atlantic coast probably in a few hours,
whereas they hoped to be up two nights
from the start. All the balloons went in
the direction Of the Eifel Tower. The
tower observer reported that the wind there
was east northeast, and blowing eleven
metres a second. All the balloons are