The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-30
Flight Suggested From
Fair Grounds to That
City Next Week.
NOT LIKELY THAT
MAYOR CA N FLY
His 100 Pounds May Bar Him,
as Contract Calls for Passenger
Weighing Only 13o Pounds.
Johnsrone Arrives To-
Morrow With His
Machine.

Morrow With His
Machine.
Plans for an aeroplane flight be-
tween Richmond and Petersburg, to
include dash over this city, have
been suggested to the board OF direc. &c
tors as an added attraction for the
virginia State Fair. which will open
Its gates to the public on Monday.
While no definite proposition has
.een submitted to the fair manage
ment by the Wright brothers, 1t Is
known that the matter is under con-
sideration. and a Anal answer will be
given tomorrow, when terms are sub
mitted. 1t was discussed yesterday
in ali informal way by General Man
ager Mark r. Lloyd and Thomas p.
Wrights. who was In Norfolk last
night arranging for a flight from that
city to Old Point Comfort, across the
historic waters. OF Hampton Roads.
Nothing Definite Yet.
Mr. Jackson talked with HIS home
Office in Dayton, O.. over the long
distance telephone during the after
noon, but he had to hurry to the sta
ton before going more especially into
details with Manager Lloyd. Mr..
Lloyd was uncommunicative last night,
merely stating that the Petersburg
proposition had been brought to his
attention. and while 1t was regarded as
great added attraction, there was
nothing definite In the shape OF con-
tract negotiations upon which he could
express an opinion.
undes the agreement with the
Wright Company. Ralph Johnstone.
one OF Its most daring aviators, will
arrive here tomorrow for a series of
lights at the State Fair Grounds, be-
ginning Monday. On Saturday after
noon. the closing day. Mr.. Johnstone
Will engage in fve-mile race with
an automobile. which will be the con-
Guiding feature OF the great meet
The plan. therefore, is to have him
start from the Fair Grounds at the
end OF the race. strike boldly over
Richmond. crossing the James and
Appomattox Rivers. and coming to a
safe anchorage In the unexplored city
of Petersburg.
Another Route SuEgestcd.
Instead of making a cross country
flight to Petersburg. Mr.. jackson was
asked II 1t could be arranged, fo.,
Johnstone to skirt over the city.
through South Richmond and Church
Hill and return to his landing In the
Fair Grounds.
i hardly think tnat possible" he
said. FOR 1t is difficult to navigate
over a thickly settled community
where there would be no landing place
In the event of some accident to the
motor Resides 1t would be necessary
in that event for the aeroplane to at
tain such hight altitude that 1t would
be merely like speck in the air. Mr..
Wright flew over Dayton at a local
celebration the other day for the edi-
fication of his home people, and he
found 1t necessary to go up about $500
feet
Johstone would have to go that high
over Richmond to escape treacherous
preferable to have him make the trip
TO Petersburg. He could follow the.
railroad track. and you might have the
spectacle of race with passenger
train travelling at maximum speed"
When Mr. Jackson returns tonight
or tomorrow from Norfolk he may be
in position to submit definite offer,
but even If this flight should not be
arranged. there will be excitement
enough for the thousands who will be
Mayor May Not Fly.
. Just before leaving town yesterday
Mr.. Jackson stumbled across the inter-
esting fact that Mayor Richardson
might not be able to fly8with Johnstone
at the State Fair He Is too heavy.
The Mayor admitted last night that he
tips the scales at 1608pounds. which is
a good deal more than the average
man might have imagined. Under the
contract the aeroplane is to take up
passenger weighing not more than 13O
pounds and, the passenger must be ac-
cpetable to the aviator The invitation
is extended with that fact in view. II
J tombstone finds that the Mayors weight
bars him It will be necessary fol. the
fair management to make a second
choice, although there will be general
regret II change has to be made
Great Show All the Same.
Unlike some sky pilots the Wrights
are not in the passenger hauling busi-
ness and Johnstone Is not apt to take
up any and every body who might offer
a good sum for the rensation and the
local glory, But he is by far one Of
the best In the business. and there j Is
no doubt Of the fact that his sensa-
tional work will delight the thousands.
81 Mr.. Jackson said yesterday that If
the trin across Hampton Roads Is made
whose performa nces at Knox
willie have been of the gilt-edged type,
will be selected as theSaviator.
Everything is being put In shape for
the aeroplane Mt the Fair Grounds, ard
Johnstone will have 1t ready for It's
first dash through the air on Monday