The Detroit times., 1909-07-07
WILL SOON HOLD
RACES IN A|RsH|Ps
Wright Brothers Will Draw Aero
nauts From Bicycle, Auto and
Balloon Racing Fields.
BY w. G. SHEPHERD.

within TWO years. perhaps the news
papers Will be giving the reports 81
aeroplanes racing from one city 20
another" said Orville Wright. when
| expressed curiosity regarding the
future OF the aeroplane as Il racer.
Yet the Wrights, with their master
ly hold on the entire aeroplane bust
ness, In all its aspects, are holding
back the would-be Barney OldfielGs Of
the air.
why don't you let them buy ma
chimes for racing purposes" | asked
the business man, Wilbur.
I'VE must first know our men," SAIL
he. "Of course the time Is coming
when the aeroplane will be used for
exhibition purposes. but we are going
to be farsighted enough TO allow only
able men TO give these exhibitionsH =
IF We allowed incompetent met to
give exhibitions they wouldn't show
the public the full value OF the aero.
planes. and when good aeropiane
operator came along the public would
not appreciate him. We want to keep
the business up TO high level"
IL is undoubtedly true that the
Wright brothers are looking for men
whom they can train as exhibitors
and teachers
Johnson Is Favor,te.
do you know John s. Johnson"
Orvlle Wright asked me when we
were talking OF aeroplane racers He
evidently meant his question to mean
that he thought Johnson would maize
a fine aeroplane flyer.
Johnson was the first man 10 ride
A. al. In,
His time was SO IA. II remember
correctly, ana the ride was made on
the Independence track"
Zimmerman. the great bicycle rid
er. is another favorite of the Wrights
He would probably be given the first
chance at learning the aeroplane game
from them.
Zimmerman was the greatest and
coolest man OF them all" contin led
Orville None of the racing men or
his time tried to beat him. When ne
rode the question with the field was
Who'll come in second?' The man
who came in second was the man
who Rugged Zimmerman's rear wheel
and SO, while Zimmerman used to ride
for the tape the other riders use TO
race TO catch onto his pace. He was
SO good that he took the part OF a
pacing machine
Orvilles authority on cycle racing
is trustworthy. He stood high as
racer among amateurs in Ohio, and
his record OF PIP stood for a whole
season. II is only natural that, now
he and his brother are seeking for
coolheaded .dare-devils to ride their
aeroplanes. they should turn to the
great cyclists who were heroes in their
eyes in their amateur cycling days.
To Pass on EIigibles.
The Wrights intend to pass on
every man who is 10 operate an ero-
plane.
when we don't want a man to ex-
bibit our machine we'll put II in the
contract that he must not use the
machine for exhibition purposes" said
Wilbur Wright.
Thus our aeroplane racers will be
the coolest daredevils-but also men
with brains-drawn from the very
kings Of the bicycle. automobile and
dirigible balloon racing worlds
The Wrights are having some diff
nculty with the dirieble balloon rae
crs. There has been SO much profess
SlOlial JthicuSg dihoHS SuNH ihtil 40
Jack Dallas, Charley Hamilton, StroeI
lei ANA the lesser lights Of the airsbip
world that 1t is difficult matter for
the Wrghts 10 get trustworthy infOr-
nation regarding the men.
Roy Knabenshue, The king OF the
dirigible balloon riders, who has PER
formed feats that none OF the others
have dared TO attempt-though none
of them will admit Twas in Wash
ington during the Wright flights.
Kanbenshue says that the dirgibie
balloon has no future. and il is 10
the heavier-than-air machines that we
must look for cur conquest of the air.
Knabenshue will probably be an areo-
plane operator.