The Washington herald., 1910-06-07

Resolved. That the secretary of the
joint committee appointed by the trade
bodies and the Aero Club Of Washington
be authorized to communicate with the
Wright brothers and Glenn Curtiss and
ascertain whether they are willing to
enter their machines In cross-country
contest flight between New York and
Washington. provided prize OF 10000 il
offered to the winner
This was the action taken by the Joint
committee yesterday. after the subject
of holding such contest had been dis
cussed for about two hours Representa-.
tlves Of the Aero Club OF Baltimore and
that of Pennsylvania were present and
participated in the discussion, I Jerome
S. FanciulH was also present as the rep
resentative OF Glenn Curtiss, and gave
the committee much information and
advice.
Col. j. H. Joyce Chairman.
When the committee met yesterday in
the office Of the Aero Club of Wash
ington, Col Jerome II. Joyce, Of Balti-
more, was made chairman, and Dr. F.
w. Zahm. secretary of the Aero club OF
Washington, secretary. It was found that
the committee had only a vague propo-
sition to consider. Mr.. Fanciulh and
Henry NJ. Neeley. of Philadelphia. In
formed the committee of the proposed
fight backed by the New York Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger. to be
held next Saturday. contract for this
flight having been entered into with
Aviator Hamilton, of New York. who Will
operate one of the Curtiss machines.
Some time was spent In discussing
whether an arrangement could be had
with the management OF this flight 10
continue It to Baltimore and Washing
ton. but owing to the shortness of time
and the uncertainty of changing exist
ing arrangements, IL was decided TO
abandon this idea and get up an indie
pendent contest between the two points
in which two or more machines should
enter the race.
Too Early to Talk Money.
While the question OF raising the money
for the prize was taken up, 1t was found
that no headway could be made until It
was aseertained what the nature Of the
race would be, and what portion OF the
fund was TO be raised by each Of the
cities participating.
From facts presented at the meeting. IL
was made plain that only two types OF
machines in this country could be used
in the proposed contest with any likei-
hood that they could finish the distance
between The two points. The route over
trees cities, railroads. rivers. and other
features of the country between New
York and Washington was described by
experts before the committee as being
very hazardous. and the only expectation
OF having a genuine contest with any
hope that the machines would last out
the grueling test would be to enter one
or more of the Wright machines and one
OF more Of the Curtiss aerOplanes. II was
because OF this that the joint committee
took the action it did.
Washington Men I'm Doubt.
Considerable doubt was expressed by
the Washington members of the commit
tee whether the city would receive as
much heneht from this Iong-distance
flight, with the Capital the landing place
or the starting place, as the case might
be, as from an exhibition contest over
a course which could be seen from va
ri0us points in Washington
Members Of the committee expressed
the view that it would be much easier to
raise a fund of $1,000 for a contest in
the homo territory. with a half a dozen
or more machines competing. than 10
raise 5000 merely to see one, perhaps
two. and possibly no machine land at
some point in the city after the long
fight from New York. with steps at
Baltimore and PHILADELPHIA