Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-11
AMERICAN FLIERS INACTIVE
Little Interest Taken in Aerial Events
on This Continent.
EUROPE OFFERS MANY PRIZES
Regret ia Expressed that Europeans
Are OutstrippinE Americans in
Advancing Science by Pub
lie Demonstrations.

NEW YORK, June 1O-with the com.
| petition OF the Paris-to-T Turin and the
Paris-to- Madrid aviation race gives a fair
| indication of what is coming in aviation in
Europe this summer and forms a striking
contrast to the activities of avlators in
the United States and abroad. According
to the present plans of the European avia-
ton promoters prizes aggregating over
100000 will be offered to alrmen during
the flying season in Europe. The French
] government competition for military ma
chimes heads the list with $4,000. or nearly
| % per cent OF the total sum offered in
| Europe.
The absence of important aviation meet
| in this country has caused considerable
comment both here and abroad. Chicago
has guaranteed $4,000 for a meet during
the latter part of this month, but with this
exception not a single meet of Importance
"a scheduled In the United States this year
A number OF competitions and exhibitions
will be held In different parts OF the United
States, but no meeting of sufficient i'm
portance has been arranged to attract the
European cracks or even the cream of
domestic talent
Various reasons have been assigned for
the apparent apathy OF the government
and aeronautcal organizations here for
this condition OF affairs and regret is
expressed that Europeans are outstripping
Americans, not only in advancing the
science by public demonstrations OF flying
but also in building aerial craft. There Is
a general feeling that commercialism il
responsible for the present conditions
When the Wright brothers and Glenn H.
Curtiss were invited to compete on the
American team in the international cham
pionship aviation meet in England on July
they declined giving as a reason that
they were too busy building machines.
Newspapers Give Big Purses.
1t was pointed out that many of the
biggest purses in Europe were offered by
newspapers and several aero club members
suggested that much might be accom-
plished II American newspapers offered
sufficient inducement to the filters. These
| suggestors were reminded of the fact that
the World and American had offered sub
stantial prizes for perfectly feasible flights
but American aIators were so greedy for
the small sure thing fry and so short
sighted for the future of the game that
no real attempts were made to get the
big purses. In the case of the Times
prize for a flight from Chicago the few
aviators, after sending In their entries
dropped out, advancing different excuses
for their actions, and even those who made
the journey to Chicago. with one exception,
failed to start
France will have probably dozen first
| class filters in the championship elimina-
ton race this month. while Charles Wey-
mann is at present the only American
available. The absence OF good filters re-
suited in the abandonment Of the Belmont
Park meeting. and in the absence Of i'm
portant aviation meets this year the avia-
| tors are signing contracts 70 appear at
different state fairs and open air agricul-
tural meetings throughout the country.
Schools Established.
Aeronautical schools have been estab-
lished In various parts of the country, and
the government has made a small appro-
priation for the advancement OF aviation.
but even with these conditions the United
States compares unfavorably with Euro
pean nations. The general public does not
| support the science when the opportunity
occurs. Last year more than a dozen big
aviation meetings were held In different
parts OF the country, yet It is a notorious
fact that but two were financially success
full When the international meet at Bel
mont park threatened to be a failure,
Allan A. Ryan. now president OF the Aero
and by Introduction OF business methods
and at a personal loss OF over $4,000 to
him, the meeting was assured. Since his
connection with aeronautics President
Ryan has spent probably $4,000. and while
he has succeeded in making the Aero club
the most important aeronautical body In
the United States, he has been compelled
TO shoulder the burden almost alone.
The conditions on this side OF the water
are viewed with apprehension, as there Is
an absence of national pride among the
aviators and a general feeling Of indiffer-
enoe among the majority OF aero clubs
throughout the country. No long Nights
have been arranged this year although the
Americans San Franeiseo-New York event
J OF over 5000 miles Is stn open. and the
scarcity OF high-class fliers operates against
the promotion OF meetings.
Clifford Is. Harmon, who returned from
Europe recently, says the European fliers
are too fast for American. and that there
is nothing here TO compete with the French
machines now, although the future may
change this condition. Others prominently
identified with the science deplore the ap-
parent lack Of interest and advocate a
national campaign for the advancement ot
aerial navigation, with a special effort to
secure better government support.
Prizes Offered Abroad.
The following table shows the list OF
important prizes to be competed for abroad
French government competition,
military machines. ..'.......... OO