The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-08-18
GREAT A|RSHIP MEET
Worlds Famous AerOpIaniStS to
Compete at Rheims, France,
MANY THOUSANDS FOR PRIZES

Why the Wrights Declined 10 En-
ter the Contests.
A summers activity and progress
in aviation in France which have ex-
-ceeded the dreams of the most en-
thusiastic followers of the sport will
be crowned by the assembling of the
most renowned aeroplanists at a
week of aviation" arranged to open
at Rheims on Aug. 22nd.
The entries for the various events
on the programme include Latham,
monoplane; Bleriot, monoplane; De-
lagrange, biplane with tall Farman,
biplane; Sommer biplane; Santos
Dumont, monoplane Count de Lam
bert and Tissandier, pupils of Wilbur
Wright, and Demarest, monoplane;
Esnault-Pelterie, monoplane; Cob
ron, biplane with tail; De Rue, BIZ
plane with tail; RuchOnnet, biplane;
Guffroy, monoplane, and Glenn H.
Curtis, who will be the official repre-
sentative of the Aero Club of Ameri-
ca The nations taking part include
France, America, Austria, England
and Italy.
Defamation of the Wmghts.
1t was hoped that the Wright
brothers would enter, but they de-
clined 1t is understood, on the
ground that they objected to the
clause in the rules allowing ma
chimes to stop during the running
of the races. On the opening day
the French entries will hold an elm
nation race to select three pilots
who will represent the Aero Club of
France in the principal event of the
week, that Of the international cup
of aviation, which will be contest
ed for on the final day of the meet.
This race is for twenty kilOmeters
(about twelve and a half miles) and
the winner will be the aeroplanist
who covers the distance in the short
est time The race Will be run twice
around a special course measuring
ten kilOmeters (about six and a
quarter miles,, but owing to the ne
cessity of making wide sweeps at the
turns the actual distance covered
will be considerably in excess of that
distance.
One Prize of $4,000.
In addition to the International
race several other distinct events
will be held-five for aerOplanes, one
Tor dirigible balloons and one for
spherical balloons. The Grand Prix
de la Chamnagne, aggfegating $40
600, will be awarded to the pilot of
the aeroplane which has covered the
greatest distance without renewal
of fuel or without coming in contact
with the ground.
The Prix de Vitesse (speed test)
over a distance of thirty kilOmeters
will be run on August 23rd and 29th,
the prizes of a total amount of S4,-
600 to be distributed among the first
four competitors. The PriX de Pas
sagers, on August 23rd, will be
awarded to the pilot who has car
ried the greatest number of passen-
gers a distance of ten kilometers.
AS it is possible that several aero
planists will cover this distance with
the same number of passengers in
such case the prize of $4,000 will be
awarded to the pilot among them
making the fastest time.
On Sunday, August 29th, the Prix
de latitude will be contested, the
prize of $4,000 to go to the aviator
attaining the greatest height, the
method of measurement being a reg
istering barometer carried on the
aeroplane. No prize will be awarded
for height less than fifty meters, or
165 feet.
For dirigible balloons there is a
purse of $4,000 for five rounds OF
the course, or fifty kilometers, which
may be attempted any day of the
meet in daylight Although the
number of dirigibles to compete is
yet unknown the French minister of
war has given assurances that
= rance will send at least one military
airship.
The spherical balloon contest will
be in the form of landing cOmpeti-
ton. The event is open to pilots of
the Aero Club of France, and four
prizes are offered.
Huge AerOdrome Being Built.
The aerodrome is being arranged
on the plain of Bethany, at the portal
of the city of Rheims, which in 1901
was the scene of a military review of
10000 troops before the Gar OF
Russia. Seats and stands are being
constructed there to accommodate
vast number of spectators.
The task of properly preparing for
this imposing aerial meet is natur-
ally stupendous. The first thought
has been that of preventing acct
dents, and stout barricade has been
built around the course to prevent
spectators from invading the aero
drOme nrODeT Numerous aerODlane
and balloon sheds have been con-
structed, and an immense garage for
automobiles is laid out and a res
taurant set up, and for the conven-
fence of the public special railroad
station is building directly behind the
grand stands, so that visitors may
step from the trains directly to the
aerodrome.
TAKE NOTICE.