The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-21
Americans Gain Favor.

Nincennes, France, to Korostichew,
Russia, distance OF 1913 miles, in OC-
tober, 1850.
Americans Gain Favor.
Considerable betting on the race has
been done and more is expected. The
American contestants, who were not re-
garded very highly j week ago, have
since sprung into great favor and
whereas odds were formerly given III
favor Of the Germans against the Am
orleans, even money Is all that IS visible
now.
From the conversation going on among
those who ought 10 know, the race lies
between She French, Germans, and the
Americans. The English entry, BrCwCr
ana Brdbazon, are not looked upon as
winners.
Leo Stevens, Of New York. who has
recently been in Washington drilling the
balloon corps Of United States Army
Signal Corps men in handling a balloon
and also assisting Capt Charles de
Forest Chandler in obtaining his title
as balloon pilot from the Aero Cub
OF America. IS here, and is in general
superintendence Of the filling of the
balloons. Perhaps no other man in the
country is so familiar with the details
and technicalities of balloon as Mr..
Stevens.
His Profession.
BaIloonIng in all its phases Is not only
his sport, but his profession and he
has made himself eminently efficient
and successful
Corporal Edward Ward and ten pri-
Yates Of the United States Signal
Corps, VINO assisted Captain Chandler
recently IN his flights at washington.
have been on the grounds all week and
are obtaining further experience and in
formation about the handling Of ba!-
looms
Endurance Run.
Balloon race" is somewhat Of a mis-
homer. for instead OF a race, the con-
test is to be more of an en-
durance run. As the balloons do not
contest for speed, the trophy goes to
the contestant who travels the greatest
distance and stays in the air the great
est length of time. However, the rules
covering this point are fixed at the last
moment by a committee. Careful and
skillful handling Of the balloon after It
has left its mpOrings determines the
distance one viii be able TO cover, and
the time that ne will be able to stay
IN the air, except where It is found
necessary to come TO earth 10 avoid
drifting out over a large body of water
or on account of some other unexpected
contingency
The James Gordon Bennett Gun the
trophy Is valued at $500 and was
donated TO be competed for under the
auspices of the International Aeronau
lie Federation, which is composed OF /
aero clubs representing nearly all the |
leading countries Of the world In order |
70 become the property Of any one club |
II must be defended cOnsecutively for |
nVe years. AT present it is in the pos
session Of the Aero Club of America |
II was won In the first contest in /
France last September, by Lieutenant /
LtihTn- In that race the soldier crossed /
the English channel, landing in the /
north of England. having travelled 4O2 /
miles.
Mannheim Winner.
None of the aeronauts has attracted /
greater attention about the hotels and /
on the streets than have the repre-
sentatives OF Germany headed by /
Baron Won Abercon The baron was
q contestant in the pioneer Ben
net Cup race last year. He had /
made ninety balloon trips and won
first prize in the great race at Man
helm last May. During a race held
August is he was eighteen hours in
the air. Oscar ErbslOh has made
thirty ascensions and was also a con-
testant in the Bennett cup race Later.
he took first prize in a balloon race
from Brussels, making a flight Of go
St. Louis was selected for the balloon
competition on account Of its geographic
cal situation, being as far away from
Slule 70 get, conveniently. However the
balloons may strike the Great Lakes. if /
Inc winds continue TO blow from the
southwest II would be very hazardous
10 attempt fight out over any of
these lakes after travelling all the dis
lance from ST. Louis, fCT both sand and
gas would be diminished. and the care
tUI pilot would not be lizey to attenpt
& voyage out over one Of these great |
todles OF water under such conditions
Inc experiences OF the aercnauts on
X
ing since the balloons are not diric1aIe
Z is impossible TO ascertain in rphat
dlrectioa one IS travelling or "a what
speed unless the earth can be seen If
one goes above the clouds he is in
deed, "a sea- or up IN the air. as far
as knowing where he is with relation
70 the map below or where or how fast
he is travelling Aeronauts, therefore.
90 not usually remain at such attitudes
as make their whereabouts uncertain.
Must Stay Awake.
Food and drink are taken in the has I
keL but one does not dare 10 indulge
in sleep, and the racers today started
with the determination 10 remain awake. | {
and keenly awake, for at least twenty
four hours and perhaps more. !
Inc nrst contest for the International 7
0eIOIdutlc cup, last year, attracted
greater attention among those interested s
IN aeTOnautlcs than any previous event /
or the kind For weeks preceding the G
race II was the most talked-Of spSrtfDr,
event in Europe, and nearly an Euroe 2
Peah countries put forward their fore
most aeronauts as competitors. s
Noted Men to Attend. :
A curious assembly Of men will ba
seen today when the contest for air ,
ships and Observation-Disclosures machines
commence. For instance. so great a sol
enust as the inventor of the telenbona
Prot Alexander Graham Bell. will he
on the course, interested in the trial ~ {
his tetrahedraI celled kite, and there
100, VIII be seventeen-year-oId Crou-
Wen Dixon, with his sky-bicvcle. vvao
Win the assistance of his Ioyal mother
mas successfully navigated the air al
their nome city. Columbus. Ohio
III. Lincq IN beacny, whose fights from