The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-17
Fasteners Jealous of Activity
of Chicago Enthusiasts.
Federation of American Aero
Clubs Chartered.
NOT ON THE SEA COAST
Big Races Must All Start Far
Inland.
Fund of $4,000 Pledged for
International Meetings.

chicago, rep. II-Art1cleS Of 1ncor-
poration and application for charter
were filed at Springfield, Ill, Saturday
for the Federation of American Aero
clubs by twelve aeronautic enthusi-
asts. This is the alliance of American
aero clubs over which the Aero Club
of America of New York has been stir
red into activity to protect the standing
or the eastern club among the interna-
tional federation clubs of Europe
The charter of the new organization
Is expected to be in the hands of the
Chicago aeronauts early this week and
on Friday night q meeting will be held
to which delegates from the majority
of the clubs will attend. At that time
ed and officers and committees will be
named. On Saturday night a banquet
will be given the visitors and other
entertainments will be given them.
The Aero Club of America asserts
that the Chicagoans are attempting to
usurp the position previously occupied
by the eastern organization. 1t has
been recognized by the foreign clubs as
the representative aerial organization
of the country, principally because
there were no other organizations Of the
kind in America with the exception Of
the Aero Club of ST. Louis, formed
among the business league members of
that city last summer for the purpose
Of holding the James Gordon Bennett
race, which was contested in October
The race was brought to America
through the winning of the cup in
France in 1906 by Lieut.. Lahm, plotting
a foreign made balloon. Although tech
nical1y entered as the Aero Club of
Americas representative. Lahm was
not sent to France by the club and
achieved success through his own en-
terprise.
Coast No Place for Race.
1t is not feasible to start balloon con-
tests near a seacoast town and the
eastern clubs always will find it neces-
sary to visit some central or western
city when they desire to promote con-
test. Although organized more than two
years ago and composed of 100 wealthy
sportsmen of New York, the Aero Club
Of America never has conducted q con-
test excepting the James Gordon Ben
nett race last fall, which was an
nounced as being run OF by the st.
Louis Aero club
President Coey of the Aeronautique
club stated that the local organization
had q few surprises to spring at the
federation meeting scheduled for Fri
day night. ~ -
1--WE have refrained from treading on
the toes Of other leading clubs and are
not trying to usurp the rights or prior
ity Of claim of any one club or clubs, -
he said Our directors personally guar
anteed fund of $25,0 e0 for the promo
ton Of our International meetings in
July and wer called we needed the
assistance and support of the clubs in
America in the matter of entries and
arousing enthusiasm in all sections.
The sport of aeronautics in Europe is
the vogue to an extent almost beyond
belief, when one considers the lack of
it's progress in this country. Practical
ly nothing has been accomplished on
this side Of the water in connection with
promoting contests and forming clubs.
Local Clubs Plans.
Our club had too much at stake to
take q chance on some one clique form
ing federation calculated to bend the
knee to Europe in things aeronautical
A New York man made a speech at a
Boston aero club recently and men
toned the need of an American fedora
ton to affiliate with the international
federation. dominated by the ferign
clubs. It was the idea of our directors
to effect the organization of a fedora
ton of American clubs typical OF
America, with the snobbery left out
AS the largest and most active aero
club in America, we do propose to have
Chicago take its pdace at the head OF
the procession in this new sport.
Instead Of holding our contests open
open to the world, and the clannish
policy of the past is over in America
| We will bring many foreign aeronauts
| and their craft here for our contests
| They may not come as. the official rep
resentatives Of affiliated clubs of Eur
| ope, but they will be here and will be
accorded a sportsmanlike reception"