The Washington herald., 1909-08-31
AYIATORS ALL FETED
Successful Week of Flying
Ends with Banquet.
WINNERS CHEERED AT RHEIMS
Curtiss Obliged TO Rise and Bow
when HIS Name Is Read aS Sue
cessfuI Competitor I'm international
Cup Race-FeIicitous speeehs Marks
Event-Mnny Machines Being sold,

Rheims. Aug. So.-The aviation commit
tee celebrated the electrifying. delirious
success of the past week by a luncheon
to-day.
How justified the committees pride IN
that success is will be recognized when Il
Is recalled that only last spring Monaco
offered 10000 francs for flying prizes. and
although the motor boat races which
were held at the same time which had
been set for the aeroplane races attracted
many competitors. not a single aviator
appeared.
Again. when the first aerodrome was
opened at Juvisy. near Paris. some four
months ago. the crowd started a riot be-
cause OF their disappointment at the fail
ure Of any one to fly.
Curtiss Walks Unaided.
Glenn Curtiss attended the luncheon.
walking without cane for the first time
since his recent accident He has not de-
cided as yet whether he will attend the
Brescla aud Berlin aviation meetings, as
he wishes TO return to America at the
earliest possible moment. Meanwhile
agents from London, Blackpool. and other
places are here trying 10 arrange with
him and other prominent aviators to go
and fly in their towns.
The committee solved a delicate ques-
ton IN regard to the luncheon IN an in
genious manner Rheims being the birth
place OF champagne. all the most noted
makers OF that article figured among the
prize givers. Each naturally would have
liked to have his particular brand or the
menu: but finally ell Joined In putting mp
a special brand for the banquet. which
was denominated simply the Aero Club
brand
NJ Bleriot. who Is quoted as saying
that he will never iy again. WAS also
present He has a mark over his eye,
and carries one Of his hands in a sling
as the result OF HIS accident. he sold
no less than ffty-two Of his machines
during the last week. the buyers gladly
paying a premium for early delivery, thus
1 recalling the early history CT the auto
mobile industry.
The price Tor the Bleriot machine is
| 1000 francs while the Antoinettes Of
the type sailed by Latham cost double
this amount. These prices must leave
n good margin OF proflt as the cost OF
| the material with the motor can hardly
be greatly IN excess OF 5000 francs
The Marquis Pollgnac read the list OF
prize winners. Cheers greeted the name
OF each favorite Latham and Curtiss re-
ceived the heartiest cheers. but when the
name or Bleriot was read there was a
/ positive ovation.
Cheers for American.
When the result OF the race for the
International Cup was announced the
cheering was so keen that Curtiss, the
winner OF this event. had 10 rise and
I bow his acknowledgment Marquis
PoIgnac announced that a similar week
of racing would be held next year.
The mayor OF Rheims made speech.
IN which. referring 20 the execrable
weather which marred the first satur-
day and sunday he expressed his JOY
that what at first threatened 10 be a
| disaster had afterward become triumph.
NJ. Loreau. president or the joint com
mittee OF the Auto and Aero clubs. IN
der which the meeting was held. made a
witty and poetical speech, IN which he
quoted Bleriot as saying after Curtiss'
/ success IN the International Cup contest:
We'll, we viii have 10 go 20 America" g"
| He compared the old Roman days at
( Rheims. when the people looked down
on brutal displays OF gladiatOriaI com
/ bats, 70 the present day. when their eyes
were thrown Up to the heavens on the
| triumphs Of human skill
Roger William Wallace, president OF the
English Aero Club. was the next speaker.
! lie said he regretted that the cups were
| going to America. because cups going TO
that country lost the habit OF returning.
Cortland Field Bishop. president Of the
! American Aero Club, referring TO Mr..
Wallace's remarks about the cups going
/ 20 America. said there was one excep-
| tion--the balloon cup. He expressed the
( hope that all who took part in the pres
ent meeting would go to America IN 1910.
Z But" he added. III Bleriot comes I'm
afraid OF tho result
latham Accepts Prize.
The rcpl cs entative OF the Paris Petit
Journal announced that his newspaper
would give Latham a prize OF 10,000 francs
in recognition OF his brilliant flying. La
| than accepted the prize in the name OF
the Antoinette Company and proposed the
health Of the proprietor OF the paper.
Replying % an inquiry as 20 his opinion
I Of the relative merits OF monoplanes and
1 biplanes. Glenn Curtiss said:
/ THE advantages OF each are so numer-
/ Gus that II would require a book to give
the details Of the reasons. When I came
was on the fence. Now have de-
cided to stick 10 the biplane."
Thus ended a week which advanced