The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-24
MAYOR is REALLY
EAGER FOR FLIGHT
Says He'll Be Delighted to Join
tombstone in Aeroplane
Joy Ride.
BUT HIS FRIENDS OBJECT
This Time, However, the Mayor
Is Going to Do as He
3. Pleases-and Fly.

Mayor Richardson will accept the
invitation OF the directors of the Nir-
ginia State Fair Association to make
an exhibition flight in the Wright aero
plane at the Fair Grounds Although
the Mayor has been notified of his
selection, the formal invitation has not
yet reached him, since the contract OF
the Fair with the Wright Company
specifies that tho passenger must be
approved by the aviator in charge.
Ralph Johnstone. The Mayor says he
believes he can train down to the re-
CURED weight, 100 pounds. and Those
who talked with the representatives.
o. the aviation company are satisfied
that the Mayor will come within the
requirements.
Mayor Richardson talked interesting
ly of the matter yesterday, saying that
it had long been an ambition of his
TO make an airship flight. The Mayo;
say that during the war he was much
interested In the experiments made by
both armies to secure information as
to the movement of troops by sending
up observers in balloons. There was
also nan in his command. then con-
sldered something of a dreamer. VINO
used to talk about the campfire OF the
possibility of building bird-ships TO
navigate the air. The Mayor has been
much Interested in watching his COM
panion's theories verified. and has kept
Informed as to the recent progress OF
aviation.
Veteran Deputy objects.
About the City Hall there was much
Comment over the invitation extended
= . rraS a
deputy in the Office of the Commits
Esioner of the Revenue talked of swear
ing out an Injunction to prevent the
Mayor from taking any such RISK.
Mr.. Gray seemed greatly alarmed at
the possibility of Alderman Robert
whittet becoming acting Mayor
through any mishap to the city's OK
ecutive. The Mayor says there Is
practically no danger. Before going
IN he proposes to bind Ralph Jonn-
stone over by solemn oath pefore a
notary that he won't attempt any fancy
stunts-that while he has passenger
aboard he won't cut the figure eight on
tho clouds, or write his name across
the sky in series Of zig-zag lines.
The Mayor admits that Mrs. Rich
ardson IS much opposed, but says tina!
she has been the commander in-chle.
for many years. and that for once ne
Ia going to have his own way.
About the clubs there has been mucn
speculation over the possible results
esnecially should there be any mishap
.. on the exhibition fight. The Mayor Is
an active member OF the Royal AT
canum. and holds ether insurance poll
cies and the question has arlsef
whether his JOY ride through the ali
would be regarded as hazaroonS
risk which might result IN the can
ceiling Of his policies.
Bird-Chnsing Policy.
! coir up in the air In any other thal
| the slang sense does not meet VIII
/ the approval of the accident ana NJ
/ companies. In their view 1T is In mucf
| the class with suicide-pollcS-hoiu
! are not supposed to do It.
| Most of the life insurance colllpa'i.e.
! have let 1t go at that and nave ~,
| introduced special clauses pronipi..n,
their policy holders from CHASING VI.
/ birds. With most of the companies
when policies have run year or TWO
thew are incontestable. and While IN.
son of Thomas F. Ryan has Just nat
come new policies cancelled for threat
| enine TO ride the clouds, 1t Is belleNe'
| that the Mayor will have no trouole
since he had no in7ention of oeco11llh M
sky pilot when he took out his In
1 surance.
Since the fair people arranged t
have tombstone here he has won many
laurels as an aviator, performing some
OF the most notable feats on record am
| showing marvellous skill and control y
| his car. He will fly each day at eli'
/ fair for not less than ten minutes at
/ time or his paw will be locked. Their
/ is an ironbound contract covering tn
| flights which will prevent any repeu
! ton of last years fiasco.