New-York tribune., 1909-12-05
When the Present Day of Toplofty Prices for
Exhibition Flights Is Past the Professional
Aviator May Ely His Employers
Aeroplane on a Salary

No one has ever realized the necessity OF
making hay while the sun shines more
keenly than the professional exhibiting
,vistor, who Is to-day collecting sums OF
.ron, $4,000 20 $1,000 for public appear
snces Like pioneers in some tremendous
hut short lived industry. aeroplanists with
su speed are creating opportunities for
trading upon public curiosity in the show
.uc OF their strange wares. and before the
sky is overcast with competitors these
lucky serial pilgrims expect 10 annex con-
siderable wealth.
To-day is the busy day OF the aeroplane
rilot. upon whose labors is placed such a
premium as was never dreamed Of by the
primitive Darius Green. News Of the offer
20 NJ Paulhan. the French aeronaut. of
ssoep q month for exhibitions at Los An
eeles and the New Orleans .dardi Gras fol-
lows close upon reports OF other almost
fabulous contracts. In the wake OF Cur
tiss. who was lured from New York at the
time OF the HuGson-Fulton celebration 10
81 Louis, and then Chicago, have followed
builders owners. agents and pilots OF aero
planes. all intent upon earning a coveted
$500 or Sl0e00 curtiss is known TO have
contracted al Sl5.ooo for an appearance. the
money 10 he paid even though conditions
rendered fight impossible.
Early intimation OF the possibilities Of a
hig trade ahead for aeroplane owners was
verined by the reception accorded Mr.. Cur
tiss by shONmen on his arrival from the
Rheims races. AT pier and hotel they be-
siegec the hero Of the air with tempting
offers. II has since been learned that
actual achievement, however. is no more
necessary than the fulhlment of promise
20 ay 20 insure big gate receipts. for horde
al sides exploiting unprotected biplanes
and monoplanes for the education Of lay
men. There are other demonstrators whose
motives are better trusted.
Many OF those who are striving 10 gain a
fortune before the curiosity becomes the
commonplace are recognizable for their ac-
oompllshments In the world OF aeronautics.
By way OF promoting the interests Of the
Bleriot monoplane. Ralph Saulnier. agent
for that machine IN New York. has availed
himself os the opportunity OF demonstrat-
ing the sample which he brought with him
b. advertising at the same time New
Jersey land company. j. W. curzon has
succeeded IN interesting crowds OF curious
saghtseers n the famous Farrnan biplane
which won the Rheims duration prize, and
Charles +. willard has gone through the
West with Curtiss Flyer No. /
Less famed attractions than those men
toned are earning at each appearance
sums which make grand opera singing ap-
pear unproatable practice. Judging by the
persistent failure OF the flyers 10 ny at St
Louis for speculative purposes lately, the
dissourians are willing TO pay much ito be
shown"
The crowds OF spectators gathering az
various aviation centres IN hopes Of wit
Messing a flight haze frequently been dis
eppointed. The flyers have not flown.
either because the weather was unsuitable
or because the motor was incisposed or
because the machine could not fy under
any circumstances.
Small sympathy has been meted out 10 the
.xpectant multitudes who have thus taken
chances n the absence OF guarantee. and
gate receipts have not been refunded
Originally II looked as II the aviator was
the prey OF the spider Snowman; IL was
q fatal plunge from q dizzy height In
capsized aeroplane which the public ex-
pectec, but IL turned out that the fy was
cot the Eyer, but the public itself.
The mammoth prices paid 10 fedglings in