The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-03-30


America IL to witness the next
great International balloon race, and
St. Louis has been designated as the
hight city by tho Aero Club OF
America because of its central loca-
don. and also because It affords OPP
portunity for records Nights whatever
the dissection Of the wind. The rare
Of holding this airship con-
test IN this country comes as q reward
1or the victory won BY an American
aeronaut. Lieut.. Frank p. Lahm, In
the International contest last year.
year. His triumph is of such recent
occurrence as to be still fresh In mind.
and We recall with what pride Ameri-
can newspapers heralded the achieve
ment.
Especially did the victory bring sat
lsfactlon and enthusiasm to the Aero
Club az America for It claimed Lieut..
zahm % a honorary member and his
triumph not only brought it prestige
among the ballooning fraternity Of Eu-
rope and brought to this side of the
water the magnificent international
challenge cup offered - q prize by
James Gordon Bennett
And now the Aero club Is actively
engaged in making arrangements for
the contest this year at st. Louis. 1t
Is determined. and hopeful as well, OF
retaining the cup on this side OF the
Ax,o-<s1 Lyrhk rot;ouc-Erouco Cor
many, Great Britain, Belgium. Switz-
erland, Italy. Spain and the United
States-each with three balloons, are
entitled to compete, and the contest
will be in all respects international.
1t is estimated that the great Euro
pean balloon contests of 1906 were
each Witnessed by 100000 spectators,
and it is hoped that this race of 1907
will command at least equal interest
1t win require all the resources of the
Aero Club Of America and all the en-
ergies of its members to properly or
xanize and conduct this contest. This
will, of necessity, be its chief task for
1907 and to this all else must be sub
ordinated.
1t is hoped that the history of the
Americas cup will be repeated and
that the international cup has crossed
the ocean never to return. The club
has been assured that three balloons
of 1900 meters, the maximum capac
dty permitted under the rules, will be
available for its champions. There
are already many applicants for the
honor of being chosen as one of the
three defenders of the cup, and 1t is
certain that there will be a large field
from which to make the selection.
The greatest interest has been dis
played throughout the civilized world
and special facilities will be offered
to all aeronauts visiting st. Louis fol
this contest Through the liberality
of various citizens and organizations
of that city the Aero Club of Amer
lea has been able to offer cash prizes
amounting to $4,000, to be distributed
among the contestants winning re
spectively second, third, fourth ant
fifth places. This is In addition t.
the sum of $500 to be given by Mr.
Bennett to the winner of the cup
The Aero Club of America also Offers
prize to the contestant remaining
longest in the air.
AS further stimulus to ballooning
the Aero club has founded and Offered
Hor competition challenge trophy Il
be known as the Lahm cup and to b.
held In turn by each of its members
who exceeds the distance-402 mile.
covered by Lieut.. Lahm in winning
ahe International cup.
The Aero club will endeavor to in
troduce and popularize in this countr!
the various contests in connection
with ballooning which have proved 81
attractive in France These includ,
the pursuit and capture by severa
balloons Of pilot balloon having
certain start; also q contest by sew
eral balloons, the winner to be tn
one who lands nearest to a given spo
designated on a map beforehand
Prizes will also be given to automc
biles which shall start in pursuit Q
balloons and reach them within
given interval after their launching.
The Aero Club of America is les
than two years old. having bee
10 med In the summer Of 1906 wit
tho purpose set forth in the constitr
ition of promoting and developing tn
science of aerial navigation. Founde
lby men who had almost without e,
iception never made an ascension in
free balloon, the club has in one yea
;of existence earned for itself pos
,tlon In the world OF sport and it is [
fbe hoped it has opened up brilliar
career for itself in the future.
4 Though the Aero club Is the fir
Organization OF asionauts to Be forme
!oa the American continent, It has ha