The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-01
Daring Aviator AsCends 9714 Feet and Beats Flight
 of Wynma|en E
MO|SSANT CAPTURES l.s'... :.
 PRIZE FOR DISTANCE
Moissant Is Awarded the Prize for the Flight Made on Sunday and Graz hame-White Is Not Allowed
 to Race Again

New York, October 3f-A "baby', Wright roadster with Ralph Johnstone at the wheel, glided gracefully to earth in the twilight at the close of the inter- national aviation meet at Belmont Park this evening. with the paragraph regis tering new worlds record for altitude. The little machine of only 35 horsepower had been up 9.714 feet, exceeding by 52s feet the height attained in France on De- tober l by Henry w. Wynmalen of Ho1- land
 But Johnstones sky climbing feat was not the only notable incident of the clos ing day Of the meet. Claude Grahame- White, the athletic Britisher who carries away the Gordon Bennett trophy, which takes the next international tournament to England, sharpened the sporting appe- tite with challenge to John B. Moissant of Chicago for another race from the park around the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor and return. Moissant who won s10,00o for his fast flight around the statue yesterday, ignored the challenge
 Then White, denied another chance for visit 10 Miss Liberty, sent a thrill through the spectators when at the close of speed race with McCurdy of the Cur
 
 oplane dug into the ground in front of the grandstand, turned turtle and buried the aviator underneath. He was unin- jured and won the race.
 Moissant's winning of the 5000 distance prize offered by the Aero Club of America was the other big event of the day.
 He travelled approximately S71S miles in two hours In landing after winning the event he smashed his propeller and broke running wheel. but escaped unhurt.
 Johnstone's Experience
 q was in a pretty purple eaze up there, said Johnstone. after he had fn- ished his record flight. "and say. hut 1t was cold. had couple of sweaters on, besides my rubber suit and face mask, but then at times felt as if freezing
 Several times I lost complete sight of the earth but when I shot clear of the haze I could see below buildings and resi- dences which looked like toy blocks. have been flying only since June, but it sure was the most satisfactory trip have ever made.''
 The Wright brothers were jubilant at Johnstone's success. It was the first time he had ever flown their tiny roadster. and he had set new mark for aviators of the world Arch Hoxsey his friend and rival climber, was one of the first to congratulate Johnstone
 As the crowds about the judges stand cheered the announcement of Johnstone's wonderful air feat, ]. Armstrong Drexel swooped down to earth. He had been r battling in the clouds with the Wright pupil. but had attained "only S370' feet. Johnstone had easily won the grand al- titude event with its s500o prize. It was an ideal day for the closing of the tournament.
 Ideal Day for Flying
 The air was clear and crisp. The sun shone from clear, blue sky and there was just enough wind to stir the row of flags along the top of the big grand stand The first event of the day began a few minutes after the crack of the opening bomb. It was the two-hour dis tance race for a purse of $3500, donated by members of the Aero club of Amer ica The purse was split so that there were three prizes
 The report of the bomb had hardly died away when far across the field the white wings of monoplane shot up from the ground and swept toward the start Ing line It was Moissant and he was flying the same machine with which he won the Statue of Liberty flight "Bud'' Mars of the Curtiss team and Simon and Latham of the French team followed quickly and were soon chasing Moissant about the course rounding the red and white pylons at almost mile minute clip.
 Mars was soon down with broken engine, and after few laps Latham's engine became balky and he was forced to descend in front of hls hangar. Mois- sant and Simon were alone in the air flying close to each other. When they passed the grandstand Moissant let out his speed another notch and shot ahead.
 Simon came to earth before the lap was finished and Moissant Jagged. Then 1t was announced that Simon had pro- tested that Moissant had fouled him by passing too close to him in the air The judges penalized the Chicagoan three laps. but in a few minutes he was Il again whizzing around only a few feet the air. Latham and simon were ono more In the contest and Moissant appear cd to be keeping out of their way.
 Moissant the Winner
 When the finish flag was put up. two hours after the start, Moissant was de- clared the winner He had been around the course 56 times, a distance of about s7ih miles. As he came to earth victori- ous the accident occurred His machine swerved, bumped along the ground for a few feet and then toppled over on it's side but Moissant did not get a scratch
 Latham was second in this race with 8 laps to his credit. and Simon third with 27 laps. Mossant took away $2000 Latham 5000 and Simon $500. r With the distance event over Johnstone and Drexel started skyward in quest of altitude. They were soon tiny specks in the waning sunlight. In special race, started shortly after Johnstone and Drexel had disappeared in the sky Aude- mar, In a yellow Demoiselle. was pitted against Cares in white Demoiselle. It was merely an exhibition and after q few laps they both darted across the field and came down gracefully together in front O: their hangars. Cares had won
 Grahame-W took Allan Pinkerton up in a biplane. It was the second pas- senger carried during the day. Count DeLesseps having taken up his sister for spin up above the course while [ the distance race was in progress.
 Ten-Lap Speed Race
 The speed race. between Grahameie,