Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-08
Contest Between Wright and
Curtiss Machines Probable.
GET WORD FROM WILBUR
Thinks New York Washington
Flight Could Be Made in August.
DETAILS WILL BE ARRANGED
DR.. Zahm Has Communicated With
Members Of Committee, Most of
Whom Are Away.

1HcIc Is d CHdICc dt 1851 Vi ScttiHS thC
Wright and Curtiss flying machines to-
gether in a race. This is something for
which the aviation world has been anx-
ious ever since Curtiss won the worlds
speed championship and the Curtiss ma
chimes have made long cross-country
flights
Word was received from Wilbur Wright
today that he thought he and his brother
would be able to enter an aeroplane in
race with Curtiss from New York to
Washington some time in August, and
asking for more details of the proposed
contest.
Washington has been anxious for
flight from New York to washington
ever since Curtiss made his record flight
from Albany to New York. Curtiss said
himself that Washington was the next
logical point in the development of cross
country flights. and that he was anxious
to make the trip If 1t could be arranged
At the time Hamilton made his flight
from New York to Philadelphia. and
return the Washington Aero Club
was anxious to see IL this night
could not be prolonged so as to
reach Washington. There was a meeting
Of representatives from New York. Phila-
delphia, Baltimore and Washington held
here at that time, and 1t was decided tnat
the time was too short to permit arrange
ments being made for extending the
Hamilton flight. but Charles j. Bell OF
the Washington Aero Club and the Wash
ington Chamber of Commerce. who was
present at the meeting. suggested that
the public had seen enough of mere
demonstration flights to take the edge
off the novelty. He said what was
wanted was a real competition, and then
it was suggested that If the Wrights and
Curtiss could be induced to make race
be the great attraction of the aviation
year.
Accepted for Curtis.
DIR. Albert Zahm. who was the secre-
tary of the meeting. was directed to COM
municate with the Wrights and see what
their attitude would be toward such
competition. Jerome Fanciulli was pres
emit as the representative of Curtiss and
accepted on behalf of his principal. He
said he knew that any terms acceptable
to the Wrights would be acceptable to
Curtiss. He was anxious to see the two
types of machines matched. and when a
suggestion was made as to the best way
of dividing the purse he said he would
prefer to see the winner take all.
Mr. Bell said at that time that for such
p race there probably would be no diff
Guilty in raising $4,000. apportioned be-
tween the four cities interested. He
thought that a landing could be made In
EACH and that this would divide the jour-
ney into about the right number of sec
tions.
There were present Col. Jerome H
Joyce, representing the Baltimore Aero
Club; Henry Nicely of Philadelphia, rep
resenting the Aero Club of Pennsylvania,
and the chairman of the committee of the
new national council of the affiliated aero
clubs.
There was considerable delay in hearing
from the Wrights. and it was thought
that they intended to ignore the challenge
altogether, as they have been having
legal trouble with Curtiss right along,
and the suggestion that they fly against
him was in the nature of a challenge
pitting the two types of machines against
each other.
Wright Reply Surprise.
it was rather surprise. Mr.. Wright
said he and his brother had so many
engagements on hand that he did not
think they could prepare a machine
for the big race before August. but
like to know more in detail about the
Most of the members of the joint COM
mittee having the subject of the race
in hand are now out of the city. DR..
Zahm, as secretary of the committee,
has communicated with them, and on
receiving the replies will know what
the next step will be In arranging for
raising the money and deciding on the
details Of the race.
There is one thing that may reduce
the enthusiasm in raising a large purse
| Co. iQ "a nf a
race between amateurs over the same
course. Clifford B. Harmon. chairman
of the national council of the Aero
Club. who is himself an aviator. is
trying to arrange to have a number of
amateur aviators Of New York and
elsewhere make a flight from Washing
ton to New York, making about four
stops on the way. The prize in this
case would not be a cash amount, but
some inexpensive trophy.
1t is possible that both the amateur
and professional races may be held,
but this will be a matter for future