The Washington times., 1910-05-26
Ready At Albany for Flight
Down Hudson River
Today,
OTHERS HAVE EYES
ON $4,000 PRIZE
Hopes to Attain Speed of Forty
Five Miles An Hour in
Flight to New York.

ALBANY. n. Y. May 26.-Au is in
readiness for Glenn Curtiss' attempt
TO fly to New York, $50 miles. for
the $4,000 prize offered by a New
York newspaper.
Because his machine had not been
completely assembled, and the weather
was bad. Curtiss found it impossible to
make an early start on his trip.
He announced that he would not at
tempt the trip until conditions were
favorable. Just when that would be he
could not say.
Today he went to the starting ground
on Van Rensselaer, island. he is not
satisfied with the island, and IS seeking
a new site.
With four other aviators in the field
for the $4,000 prize. CuTtiss hurried
his plans 70 prevent any one from
stealing a march on him he decIar-
ed today that he would protit by the
experience of Graham White, the
young English flyer. who was beaten
at the last moment by Louis Paulhan,
the Frenchman, in the $4,000 London
10 Manchester flight in England re-
Gently.
Curtiss learned that Charles X.
Hamilton is hurrying to New York
from Jacksonville, Fla, and will es-
say the trip next week, IL Curtiss
fails.
Charles F. Willard, at Joplin, No, has
also announced d similar intention,
and Roy KnabenshUe, of the Wright
company, and Cromwell Dixon, the
boy aviator, are also in the held with
an acknowledged aim at the $4,000.
The Albany TO New York race is the
most important aviation event Amer
lea has yet seen. Though the distance
between the cities is l43 miles by
rail, Curtiss, as one of the hrsJ steps
~ n a
covering $50 miles.
Curtiss. accompanied by his wife,
arrived il Albany last night, going 10
the Hotel Ten Eyck The work OF
putting his plane IN shape on Rensse-
laer island. was already under way,
but had been retarded by rain Cur
Iiss declared this morning tnat ne
was certain his plane could stand the
strain. it having been tested as far as
was practicable in every way. 1t IS
the smallest ever used for long
distance flight
stops Mr.. Curtiss said this morning
he was satisfied he would need 10
alight only at POughkeepSle for fuel
"We were unable 10 ind a really
good field he said referring to MS
trip there 20 select a landing place.
but / think the one / picked out can
he negotiated with a little care. Il
will require high flying, though. TO
avoid accident
The conditions demand the completion
OF the flight within twenty four hours
In the opinion OF aviation eXperSr II is
a more diffcllt feat than the London
to Manchester trip. because the country
IS r1ucn more broken up, and there are
few facilities for landing except IN the
river.
Aeroplane Is Tested.
That would be safe" said Curtiss to-
day. but il would prevent a reascent
Asked where he expected to land in
New York city the aviator declared that
the Battery might afford a good place,
or he might be compelled 70 plunge into
the bay. circumstances alone guiding
him should he reach his destination.
Curtiss declared that with favorable
conditions he expected TO make forty
i've miles an hour.
Augustus Post, representing the Aero
Club Of America, accompanied Mr.. Cur
tlss today in his preparations. Both were
Up early watching the weather for an
ausDicious turn and testing the plane.
Great crowds this morning gathered
on both shores Of the Hudson, about
Albany, waiting to see the start. Dis
patches from points along the river
told Of the banks being lined for miles
by eXpeCtant crowds
Thousands were disappointed early in
the morning when the word was given
cut that the start had been postponed.
Many had assembled at dawn ca the
heights surrounding the city.
Not TIL daylight did the CTutiss me-
chanics, Henry Klecker and Clarence /.
white stop the work Of milling the
seroplane- BY lantern light they had
worked at high tension in the tent on
Rensselaer, Island putting II together.
II has been tried out in Texas
II is a biplane thirty feet wide and
as long, with planes four and a half
feet wide and the same distance apart.