Norwich bulletin., 1910-10-24
Aviation Meet
At Belmont Park
ONLY TWO AviATORS DARED TO
FACE THE STRONG WIND.
TWO SMASHUPS, NO FLIGHTS
Frenehmen Dissatisfied With Layout of
the course-7,5oo Disappointed Spec
tators-Wind Thirty Miles an Hour.

New York, Oct. 23-There were two
smashups no flights and $500 disap-
pointed spectators at the second day
of the international aviation meet at
Belmont Park, l.. |. The wind was so
strong that only two aviators, Gra-
me-White and Moissant cared to
dare it, and both of them came to
grief. though without personal injur-
les.
Layout of Course Not Satisfactory to
Frenchmen.
But much as the management re-
gretted to send away a good crowd, il
was more concerned with the dissatis-
faction of the three Frenchmen for
the Gordon Bennett speed race, Alfred
Leblanc, the champion cross-country
flier of France; Emile Aubrun, his
pupil, and the only aviator who fin
ished with him in the recent circuit
De TEST. and Hubert Latham, all COM
planning that the course is not laid
out according to the rules of the Fed
eraten cratic ernstionale, az and Leblanc an
days ago, asking if the French team
should compete. They expect instruc-
tions by cable tomorrow or the day
after, at the latest.
The other four Frenchmen here to
compete for the altitude. duration and
the Gordon Bennett is the red-letter
event of the aeronautic calendar. 1t
brought the international cup TO this
country and with it this, the second
International meet in the history of
aviation. To have the French cracks
default would rob the tournament of
more than half its interest and so far
as its most important event is con-
cerned of all it's competitive zest.
What the Frenchmen Contend
The course for the cup is five kilo-
metres long and must be circled TWEEN
ty times. 1t is called the outer course
because in the far turns it continues
beyond the inner course of 2.5 kiIo-
metres, used for the hourly speed con-
tests each day.
The Frenchmen contend that the
rules of the Federation Internationale
prescribe course on which any avi-
ator may aiight at any time and
wherever he, chooses. They say that,
because of the proximity of the sta 4
bles and the interference of the trees,
they would not be free to alight for
repairs as they are privileged to do
under the rules and that the house
mentioned above stands so close to one
of the pylons that the aviasor has on
ly thirty yards in which to pass be-
tween the two. Furthermore, they
point out that a racing monoplane,
driven by a 100 horsepower engine
has to take the turns SO wide that
it would pass over the roof of the
grandstand, which is an infringement
of the rules and disqualifies the ava-
tor.
Latham stood by while Walter
Mumn, his manager. exoounded objec-
tions in English. Whit do you think
about tt" Latham was asked. He re-
piled in a volley of impetuous French
and his hearers understood him to say
DO you want me TO commit suicide?"
But Mr.. Mumm as interpreter, ex-
planted that what he intended was
more nearly to be translated after
this wise: "If [ should tell you gem
the course it would be equivalent to
committing suicide or at the least
to numbering all the nieeness of La
Politesse.
Waiting Adviees from France.
James A. Blair, one of the aviation
managers, admitted that he had heard
some mutterings from the French
men, but added that nothing had been
submitted in writing and that no no.
tice would be paid to informal COM
munlcations of any sort. And there
the matter stands until advices from
Paris determine decisive action from
the French camp.
When the bomb and bugle sounded
for the first distance event this after
noon, the official code signal gave the
wind at from twenty to twenty-five
miles an hour and it was freshenging
every minute. The sky was clear and
it was painfully cold. Four starters
were announced but after eight min
utes' delay only Grahame-W White and
Moissant came out. White rose eau
tiousIy. He needed all his caution, for
even at a height of not more than for
ty feet he pitched like a ship in a
heavy storm and in alighting careened
to one side and splinterS went flying
into the air. His whirring propeller
had touched and both blades were
smashed to flinders.
Moissant's Machine Smashed.
Moissant never got off the ground,
but his machine was much more badly
hurt. The wind picked it out of the
hands of the mechanics and let it fall
again Both his planes were crum-
pied. his rubber broken and his crank
shaft bent White said his damage
could be repaired in a couple of hours.
Moissant hoped to have his machine
repaired next Tuesday.
Thirty Miles an Hour Wind.
After these two accidents the code
signal, wind a little too strong"
went up on the announcement board.
By this time it was a stiff whole sail
breeze. rated at 25 to 80 miles an hour
and though the official automobile
raced over to the hangers, not an avt-
ator came out. The Wright team, Hox-
sey, Brookins and Johnstone, were all
willing and anxious to fly, but Wilbur
Wright allowed none of his men to go
out.
More Trouble for the Aviators.
New York, Oct. 23-The following
letter was sent to all the aviators to-
day, signed by William Ellison, a con-
sulting and examining surveyor:
Dear Sir-As you are probably
aware the promoters of the aviation
meet are provoking the antagonism of
owners of adjoining property by erect
ing canvas screens designed to block
the view of your flights by said owners
of said property
Now. this is to notify you that I am
instructed and am amply supplied with
means, IL these 'ebstructions are not Al
once removed, to block your fights if
attempted at any but very consider
able elevation over these properties, and
will be regretfully compelled to do
so by legitimate and scientific means"
Senator Aidrich's Condition Improved. |
~