New-York tribune., 1909-09-09
AWAIT CURTISS'S S WORD
FLIGHT At CELEBRATION.
Hudson-FHLfOR Committee Asks
Hin TO Explain Bishop Statement.

Having sent $3.50 TO Glenn H. Curtiss in exchange
sor his signature TO contract fly here. the
yrIttee serOnautics of the Hudson Fulton cele-
brston has Just spent S6 on cable message to the
aviator The committee desired to obtain from Dir.
,urtiss who is now in Italy. some intimation that
he appreciated the members present suspense con-
oerning his intentions All was foggy. however. up
- . late hour last night. The message was sent
20 Curtiss at Brescia, italy, on Monday night
Since the appearance in the newspapers Of this
ritv on Friday OF a statement purporting TO have
been made in Paris by Cortlandt Field Bishop.
president OF the Aero Club OF America, denying the
existence OF any contract between Curtiss and the
Eudscn-Fulton commission. members of the COM
Trt-ee aeronautcs have reread the contract. in
,pected the cheekbook and engaged in deep breath
ing exercises TO maintain hope.
James NJ. Beck. formerly Assistant Attorney Cen
the United States, is chairman OF the COM
rrfttee He has received from Mr.. Bishop, in reply
his cabled inquiry Of Friday, the following mes
sage
cgrsiss mailed contract unsigned with draft n@ and
drawn terms August memorandum
70 this Ntr. Beck sent the following reply.
Curtiss signed contract August s. Therefore
ramon understand your and his action
NJ. Beck said at his once. At No 55 Wall street
yesterday:
Mr.. Bishops cable message Is plainly founded
or q misunderstanding OF the facts. Mr. Curtiss
IN August signed a definite contract. under which
Re agreed 70 give for fixed amount series or
fights during the celebration. ana lncloenLally 10
raske trip from Governors Island TO Grants Tomb
end return
Under his contract he TO receive Z payment
81 s. 500 on account a copy OF this contract was
mailed 10 him st Rheims with check for the first
payment Since then have heard nothing from
Nr. Curtiss although 1 cabled him asking when
he expected 10 sail tor America
M Bishop. with whom the Hudson-F Fulton
commission has contract relation in this mat
Ter. but who is apparently acting for Mr.. Curtiss
eude fha yVhe in
antinates that the committee sent 10 Curtiss
signed contract for this signature. No other sig
required and none asked"
The letter men-ioned I'm Mr.. Bishops message
having been sent has not been received yet by Mr..
Beck
! imagine that it has reference to a request
~-hich Mr. Curtss made after the signing OF the
contract said Mr Beck that he receive a
ond payment on account when he arrived in New
York with his aeroplane. The committee WILL
sm corrddent, be glad 10 accommodate Mr.. Curtiss
in this respect.
We him 10 fulfil his contract and give the
flights IN accordance with his contract This is
rot money making affair. but great public and
patriotic celebration. and neither he any
acting for him afford 10 dsappoint the public
should the expected reply prove disappointing It
is believed that the committee viii make known
the details OF the negotiations with the aviator.
Members Of the Aero Club Of America say the
atmosphere viii be cleared when the letter men
toned by Mr.. Bishop containing draft arrives.
They believe that Mr. Curtiss will fly here
n the mean time the Wright and Curtiss aero
planes being built Governors Island by IEe
Hudson Fulton committee.