Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-24

The aviation week executive commit
tee decided yesterday that further tenn
porizing over the question of a sane
ton from the Aero Club Of America is
used to better advantage in looking
after the details of the big meet ana
arranging for the possible attendance
of 100000
AS result the attitude of the com
mittee is that Los Angeles will have
the meet-with the sanction If 1t comes
without oppressive restrictions, but
without 1t IL the Aero Club of America
persists in asking impossible condi-
tions. The committees stand was en-
bodied in the following statement is
sued last night:
"The Merchants and Manufacturer
association of Los Angeles, under
whose auspices the aviation meet jan
uary 10 to 20 is to be held. feels 1t has
reached the limit of dictation by either
the Aero Club of America or any 9TH
er similar organization. It has pro-
ceeded in good faith and repeatedly as
sured the Aero Club of America that
the international meet to be held here
was one Of true sportsmanship and
that the contests were for scientific
achievements and not for profit in any
way, manner, shape or form. 1t has
duly received the sanction of the local
club. which is affiliated with the Aero
Club of America, and has proceeded in
perfect harmony with the rules OUT
lined by it.
Restrictions Tackled On
"Today's New York dispatches indi-
cate certain restrictions will be placed
on different contests which prohibit
the competition of licensed and unli-
censed pilots. This IN itself contra
diets the precepts of the Aero Club of
America in that all contests must be
for the advancement of aviation and
devoid of commercial profit for 1t will
prohibit the entry Of a number of ma
chimes by local inventors and by avia-
tors who have proven their ability TO
fly, and who, for some reason or other,
have not been able to join either To-
cal club or the Aero Club of America.
"F. ]. Zeehandelaar, secretary of the
aviation committee of the Merchants
and Manufacturers association, says
he wants the people to know the only
difference between a licensed and an
unlicensed pilot is that the licensed
pilot is a member of the Aero club of
America or one of its affiliated bodies.
while the unlicensed pilot is not but
exercises his rights as an American
citizen to fly when he pleases without
having been granted THAI permission
bv some club. The Merchants and
Manufacturers association declares Jun
less the Aero Club of America re-
spects their compliance with the Aero
clubs rules and their profit
efforts in behalf of aviation they Will
hold their great aviation meet in Los
Angeles from January 10 to 20 ire
spective OF the Aero Club of Americas S
sanction.
Commits Trespass
"The Merchants and Manufacturers
association of Los Angeles feels the
restrictions nominated by the Aero
Club of America are trespass on the
rights of every free-born American,
and. while more than anxious to CO.
operate with the Aero Club of Amer
lea. il owes it to itself and to the
country at large TO hold this meet
whether or not the sanction is granted
"The Aero CLUB of America demands
that none of its members shall particl-
pate in a commercial exhibition ana
that all flights made by them must
he made for the true advancement OF
aviation. and vet Glenn II. Curtiss, a
member of that club and number of
entrants who are members Of atilllat-
ed clubs have demanded guarantees
ranging from $4,000 to $4,000 or they
would not fly. If this is not the com
mercial spirit the Merchants and Man
ufacturers association would like an
explanation.
1.-THE aviation week committee of the
Merchants and Manufacturers asso-
citation has at all times agreed to abide
by the regulations of the international
Aeronautic federation and federated
climbs. but each time a statement is
made regarding conditions to be i'm
posed some new and onerous action is
added. The time set for the meet is
not far off, and as wide interest on
the Pacific coast and elsewhere has
heen awakened the committee has no
time to temporize. Arrangements must
be made and the meet must be carried
out"
Talks Reluctantly
"I do not wish to express an opinion
lust now" said Dick Ferris, the or
iginator of the aviation meet and gem
eral manager of the Los Angeles
events, "yet l feel that something
be said about the report which appear
to malign Los Angeles. 1t has been
persistently stated the aviation meet
is solely snowman game anu olie
paper even went so far as to call 1t
Mr.. Huntingtons circus intimating
il was designed solely to aid street car
traffic.
because / happen to be theatrical
manager is no reason such an event
as this cannot be handled on the basis
of true sportsmanship, and because Mr.
Huntington happens to be at the head
of the principal traction lines center
ing in Los Angeles, it should not estop
him from showing public spirit and
interest in the welfare of Los An
geles which he has continually done
in the past
IF the story printed today as COM
ing from the Aero club of America is
true to the effect that they will not