The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-10
Grandstand Is Filled With
$4,000 Spectators.
DIRIGIBLES LEAD OFF
Curtiss and Paulhan Are Both
on the Ground.
Prize of $4,000 for Longest
Flight With Passenger.

rather than blew up from the sea, and
over the valley between the snow-cap-
ped mountains, opened the international
aviation meeting at Dominguez juno
ton today and witnessed the first COM
petitive trials of aeroplanes in Amer
lea.
A clatter from the great shelter tent
nearly a mile away where aeroplane
motors were being tested. met the ears
of thousands who crowded off the in
terurban cars at the field directly after
breakfast, though the first flights were
not scheduled to be attempted on
o'clock. The noise of these, sounding
like several batteries of machine guns
in action, was mingled with the COM
paratively gentle wfirr of the engines
of the dirigibles which later were to
sail and soar sedately like soft-winged
but gigantic old owls over the smaller
aeronefs that dash and dart, rise and
dive over the course.
All of the machines were tested early.
Scores of French. British and American
-nechanicians, brought here by the avi-
ators and dirigible pilots were busy tun-
ing up the delicate machinery that drive
the nine bi-planes and monoplanes
which are entered for the contests and
the big cigar-shaped air craft belong
ing to Knabenshue. Beachey and the
United States government
And whe, the rain body of the
throng of spectators began arriving,
shortly before noon, everything was in
readiness. Two hours later every face
in the field was lifted toward the sky
as the big dirigibles. the first to start
flights. mounted the currents of ether,
and after a few evolutions, f1oated pois
ed over the starting point. waiting for
the smaller. more uncertain and there
fore, dangerous, aeroplane to take the
aiS.
Grandstand Is Crowded.
The grandstand, with the tiers of
boxes. holds nearly 25, 600 people. It was
crowded before the first attempt TT
flight was made at IL 80 o'clock and be-
ginning at 2:30 o'clock three-car trains
were run every two minutes from the
city and i. was estimated that the
facilities at hand were capable of hand
ling $1,000 passengers in 40 minutes.
Curtiss' three preliminary flights in the
biplane belonging to Clifford B. Har-
mon of New York, stirred the crowd 10
the highest pitch of expectancy. They
were the first flights ever made on the
coast and diSSipated any doubt that
may have fingered that the fragile con-
trivances of rubberized silk, canvas
and bamboo could really fly.
1t was announced that he would
make the first flight today and would
be followed probably by Paulhan and
certainly Charles K. Hamilton of New
Britain. Conn, and the two aviators
Paulhan brought from France with
him. Miscarol and Maisson. Curtiss
said that his flights today would have
an important bearing on his patent con-
troversy with the Wrights and in his
opinion would end the litigation which
all but prevented the holding of the
aviation contests.
TN the arguments of their clever
lawyers the Wrights proved theo-
retica1ly to Judge Hazel in the federal
court of New York state that my ma
chimes depend on the vertical rudder to
maintain equilibrium, said Curtiss. 81
shall demonstrate by actual flight that
they do not. That will end the action
for Injunction, for the Wrights' patents
hinge on what is called the warping
surface Their machines have to de-
pend on the vertical rudder to help
them maintain their balance The
warping surface of the planes give the
machines turning tendency which the
rudder has to overcome. The rudders
on the Curtiss machines have. no such
function Aeroblons that do not affect
the course of the machines in flight
take care of the balance and this meet
will prove what we say. We are going
to take the decision of the judges be-
fore the COURTS
No Set Program.
There is no set program day for any
'
ment dirigible, in charge of, Lieutenant
Paul Beck of the signal corps. will try
night attack on the revenue cutter
Perry in San Pedro harbor.
Any aviator may go up at any time
between 1 O'Clock in the afternoon
and dark and there is no doubt that
several of them. probably all, are plan
ming surprises.
For instance, Curtiss looks preoc-
cupied whenever the subject of flights
hT0achRd
points out the fact that all the Curtiss
machines here have no accommoda-
tions for a passenger. Yet, there is a
$4,000 prizes for the longest flight
prizes ranging from $2.500 to $500
for speed. endurance and altitude rec
ords. Paulhar is certain to try for at
least the height record and the four
big f1iers he brought with him from
France look as though they were
built for sped and had unusual fuel
capacity for sustained flights.
All aviators maintain the greatest
secrecy regarding their plans. APP
parently this is more tc keep competi-
throngs of spectators. Thursday, how
ever, is practically certain to see some
records shattered
Another enthusiast who may make
a flight before the day is over is Cliff
ford Harmon, millionaire sportsman
of New York, whose machine Curtiss
tried out in the flights yesterday. Har-
man hold the American balloon record
of 4S hours in the air but has never
ridden in an aeroplane. Yesterday
darkness was the only thing that pre-
vented him making the trial and he
said that he would certainly go up to-
day if the wind permitted.
Commodore G. c. Benedict. Har-
mons father-In-law, prefers that his
son-in-Iaw should stay on the ground.
sI'II give you the price of ten of