The Democratic advocate., 1909-02-12
CONTESTS
$sOO,OOO IN PRIZES WILL BE OFFERED
DURING TBF PRESENT YEAR
France Is Taking the Lead In Their
Development.

II the rcord OF the past year is a
safe criterion, France is about to take
as prominent part in the develop
ment OF the aeropIane as she did In
the Improvement Of the automobile.
Although the invention Of the autono-
bile Is by no means to be ascribed
to the French alone, no one will
grudge them the credit of having been
the first 10 develop the machine to n
point OF speed and reliability al which
its rapid commercial success was as
sured, Similarly we may expect
that the great enthusiasm and liberal
ity with which they have taken up the
problem OF mechanical flight will
result In the production OF
an aeroplane, which, In relia-
bility, speed, and range OF action.
viii be as perfect as those automo-
biles In which the French astonished
the world a few years ago BY winning
300-mlle road races at speeds OF over
80 miles an hour. We say this with
out any disparagement Of the good
work that is being done, on a much
more limited scale, IN this country:
indeed we must ever remember that
the most brilliant fights of the past
year were achieved by an American
built machine OF purely American
design. The strong position held by
the French people have taken up this
new form OF locomotion, the large
number OF intelligent men who are
building and trying out various types
OF aeroplanes. and lastly. the great
liberality with which the art Is being
stimulated by the Offering OF attractive
prizes.
Evidence of the great hold which the
new sport has taken upon the French
people ig afforded by the fact that the
French company which bought the
Wright patents has In hand orders for
the construction OF thirty-three ma
chimes. The Voisin brothers. builders
OF the type of aeropiane used by Far
man and Delagrange. and also NJ. Pei
terie. have several orders on hand.
and outside OF these three firms there
are other less well-known builders, TO
say nothing OF the private individuals.
who are constructing machines ready
for the forthcoming season.
II is estimated that altogether some
100000 will be offered for contest
during the coming year, One OF the
latest is single prize Of g., 600 which
has been placed al the disposal OF the
Aero Club OF France. II Is 10 be open
20 all types of flying machines, and 10
dtFigibles not exceeding 1900 cubic
meters capacity. The prize will be
won by covering q 105-mile course.
The most notable aeronautie meeting
OF the year will be held at Brescia
next September. when prizes 10 the
amount OF $4,000 will be offered. The
leading event will be a trial for a
distance OF 93,2 miles over quad
ranguiar circuit, TO be laid out ON q
plain comparatively free from villages.
trees, or other distractions. II Is also
announced that the abandonment of
the Grand Prix race for automobiles
has rather encouraged than otherwise
the promoters Of the Anjou Flight
Cup, the contest for which is 10 take
place from Anglers 10 Saumur and
back, total distance OF 80 miles. II
has even been suggested that the place
OF the motor car Grand Prix be taken
by a big aeronautIc meeting to be
held some time In September.
Finally. the offer by the Daily Mail
Of a S2,500 prize for the first crossing
OF the English Channel during the
year 1908 by an aeroplane has been
extended by that journal to the pres
ent yeGr, and the amount of the prize
has been Increased to $1,000. In view
OF the fact that Wilbur Wright has
covered in single flight distance
between three and four times as great
az that which separates the French
and the English shores, there Is no
question OF his ability to win this
prize, should he be willing to take
the risks invoYled. The chief, and
practically the only risk k,would be that
OF the stopping OF the motor; and the
danger OF alighting on the sea might
be eliminated by fastening a couple
OF light racing shells to the runners
below the planes, and choosing a per-
fectiy calm day for the attempt.