The San Francisco call., 1910-01-11
Louis Paulhan Wins New Lau-
rels by Daring and Dramatic
Aerial Trips
TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE
AT OPENING OF BIG MEET
Heavier Than Air Machines and
Dirigibles Maneuver Before
Watching ThrOngs


T OS ANGELES, Jan. 10,-Louis
/ Paulhan. The French aviator, was
- the star attraction of the opening
day of Americas first international
aviation meet, conducted under the
auspices of the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' association of Los Angeles
The daring Frenchman gave the
10000 spectators assembled at the
aviation camp a demonstration of
aeroplane maneuvering that threw the
great throng into a frenzy OF excite
ment and enthusiasm
French Aviator's Feat
Starting his machine unexpectedly
while the crowd was watching the
fight of two dirigible balloons, piloted
by Roy Knabenshue and Lincolu
Beachey, the French aviator appeared
suddenly out of gully hidden from
the view of the grand stand, circled
the course three times. went out across
country, came back over the grand
stand and alighted in the center of the
field
In two later fights he gave a re-
markable exhibition of control over
his machine. marking sharp turns as
gracefully as the sudden -yeering of a
gull. now dipping almost TO the
ground TO scatter in frightened flight
a group of officials gathered on the
field: again skimming the grandstand
only few feet above the heads Of the
spectators, ascending. descending and
finally Approaching from the rear the
tent that houses his aeroplanes. Just
clearing the top and aIighting within
100 feet of its entrance.
PauIhan Gets Ovation
When he had finished his pyrotechnic
fight the Frenchman was given dem
onstration such as is seldom wit
nseed at public gathering in this
country. Men shouted themselves
hoarse. while women applauded and
waved handkerchiefs. and Paulhan.
elated by the furor he had created,
pranced gayly into his tent.
The day opeend with weather con-
ditions auspicious for the initial con-
tests of the bird man." The sun
shone brightly and there was but the
sembIance of a breeze from the east
Before the forenoon had waned the
sky became overcast with clouds and
there was a suspicion of coming damp
ness in the atmosphere The wind
veered to the wests finally blowing
strongly-an unfavorabIe condition. the
aviators said.
Throngs Gather Early
The throng began gathering early
at aviation camp. Throughout the
forenoon hours train after train. run
ming on five-minute headway. poured
in its addition to the crowd until long
before the time scheduled for the first
event to be called. The Official returns
gave 10000 as the number that had
passed through the gates.
At the camp all was life and hustle.
Strung along the roadway skirting the
main drive at the west of the field the
concessions of the ''plaisance'' did a
thriving business. In the tents that
housed the aeronefs and dirisibIes
forces of men were busy preparing for
the afternoons event. Fully 1000 au-
tomobiles We're packed IN the quarters
reserved for motor cars. While wait .
ing for the time when the aviatori
would make their appearance the
throng amused itself on the 'plais
ance8 or by watching the flight OF two
balloons that had ascended from Hunt
ington park. in this city.
From the rising ground on which the
aviation camp structures are .perched
a splendid view could be had of San
Gabriel valley. stretching 70 the distant
foothills of the Sierra Madre. with the
city OF Los Angeles. Is miles away.
plainly outlined.
Curtiss Opens Meet
Good management marked the con-
duct of the program of the opening
day. and promptly at 1 o'clock Glenn H.
Curtiss was out upon the starting
stretch to open the International meet
with christening flight for new mo-
noplane that he had never before used.
Leaving the ground in front OF the
grandstand. the air craft arose grace
fully with rise in the ground to the
west. made a short flight up the
course, returned aud aIighted at the