The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-22

ST. LOUIS Oct. 2i.--Lf'it'ns sso1e
the direction Just west oi north wnen
lott 70 view Ia tho hass Of falling night
and with q freshening breeze from
southwest behind them, nine bag BAL
looms are competing tonight for %
honor attached 10 winning tho secona
International aeronautic cup race. a
stilfer wind would have been more well
come 10 the aeronauts, but hye.miie
breere of lower air strata gave promise
81 splendid racing currents IN the hign-
ar attitudes. The Germans acting on
this theory reached for higher courses
right from the start, The French ana
English aeronauts were more ccnserva-
tiye and selected tho middle depth, while
the Americans raced away at an aiti-
tude which seemed 10 take them just
clear Of the trees and housetops. 20 low
Id fact aid two of them balance their
cars that there was grave danger q We
baskets raking over the crowded grand.
stand and intense excitemeut prevailed.
One Of the largest balloons IN the race,
came 10 close To the grandstend that
il was seized BY squad of soldiers and
swept back to safer point and sent
~ II.
away two minutes after the Official
word was given. In tho race there are
three balloons representing America.
three representing Germany, two France
and one for England. The record for
racing established last year by Lieuten-
ant IAhm, Of the U. s.. in fight from
Paris 10 England Ii 4o2 miles, but each
aeronaut in today's contest expects 70
beat that record. The start was specta-
cular in the extreme and was Witnessed
BY throng yariously estimated from
0oOOo to 10000. None Of the balloons
let loose today were fitted with dirig-
BIZ devices and the contest throughout
will be test Of skill Of the navigatora
in taking advantage oissuch air cur
rents A are encountered and in hand
linz ballast to the best advantage.
y The first Ave days Of the meet VIII Dc
Ncyoted to aeronautics. Today the prin'
Apal feature Of the entire aeronautie
meet opened the program, when the
nina balloons assembled In tho interna-
tional long distance RAGE for the Bennett
Cup. Tuesday there will be contest
for aeroplanes or flying machines o.
the heavier air type, with total prizes
III $3.50. Thursday the contest "a hytne
machines for the Scientific American
Cup viii be held. Friday will be "free
for alr' day. in which any kind Of al
craft that will get above the ground
may participate in the contest % wif
the Lahm Cup, which has just been VOL
byAeronauts Mccoy and Chandler, In
their long balloon flight rom St. Louis
to West Virginia,
The first international contest wal
held last year at Paris at which Lieu
tenant Frank p. Lahm Of the unites
States Cavalry, by flight Of 4O2 miles
won the James Gordon Bennett Cup
u W. !,
the trophy Of the contest.
The cup Is an object Of aTt IN massive
silver, valued at $500, and was Offered
by ames Gordon Bennett to the aero
naut covering the longest distance IN I
single flight. If the cup y won thre'
times in succession by an aercnaut, i
then becomes the property OF the aero
nautic club Of which he is member
The winner Of the cup IN each interna
tional contest by the terms Of the dono
win receive In addition q prize Of $25O'
in cash, together with one.half Of tn
entry fees and forfeits. The contestan
finishing second will receive one-third
and the contestant finishing third, tn
/, remainder fees and forfeits, This sec
ond competition or the Bennett Cup wa
organized BY the Aero Club ? America