The Washington herald., 1911-07-23

If a Washington syndicate which is
now attempting to negotiate q deal with
Harry N. Atwood for a New York-Chi-
cago fight succeeds in its effort, one
CT the most skiIlful projects to COM
mercialize aviation will have been
achieved.
Briefly, the plan of the syndicate is
this: A prize of $4,000 will be awarded
to the young aviator If he succeeds in
making the entire journey, and in pass
ing over a certain number Of cities en-
route. Through negotiations with the
chambers of commerce and boards Of
trade of these cities, the promoters ex-
pect to reap a profit of 80 or 20 per cent
on the project
A representative Of the syndicate is
! now paying a visit to all the cities Of
any size between New York and Chi
| cago, sounding the various civic bodies
Of these municipalities as to what
bonuses they will offer for an 'over-
! city flight by the celebrated aviator, At
wood" 1t is said favorable action has
been promised in a number of cities, and
that from 5000 to 5000 have been hung
up. The promoters OF the scheme are
confident it will go through
Has an Ambition.
It is the ambition of the syndicate to
have these prizes aggregate $4,000 or
100000 so that their profit from the deal
will be assured In any event, they stand
- to lose nothing, since Atwood cannot
get his $4,000 prize unless he fulfllls his
contract to the letter.
listed Among
the promoters. it is said, and among
these is Victor J. Evans. the patent at
torney, whose interest in aviation prof.
ects is well known. Atwood himself
is in a receptive mood regarding the
proposition. If the deal goes through
and the necessary bonuses to insure
profit to the syndicate are obtained ne will
attempt the flight. In fact, the real rea-
son he is remaining in Washington |
at present is that he is awaiting the out
come of the plan in proximity to its |
promoters.
There is still another scheme involving |
Atwood now being financed by private |
interests-the plan to raise a g, 500 prize |
for final flight over Washington. It is
to be hoped this plan is successful, be-
cause Atwood deserves recompense for
"Aol nc Ado given WASHINGTON, eSp6- 4
cially In view of the streak Of hard luck
which has pursued him since he came
here, eliminating in the loss Of bis aero
plane Friday night.
While awaiting the arrival of his new
machine, the Bostonian expects to make
some flights at College Park, with. either
the Wright or the new Curtiss aeroplane
there in cooperation with the army
flyers.
Funeral services were held over the late
lamented Moth. the Atwood aeroplane,
yesterday. and the hapless Mcdonald au-
tomobile was dragged out of the Tiday
Basin by the scruff of its neck.
The sky flyer is now a thing of shreds,
patches, and pieces. Possibly the engine
will live to chug another day, but wing
tips, planes, rudder, and ribs will 20 to
the scrap heap. It was laid out on the
grass yesterday. while Mr.. Atwood smiled
outwardly, but cursed inwardly, and said
philosophically: 1T couldn't be helped"
Regrets the Tragedy.
He remarked, however, that had he
been on the spot the tragedy would not
have happened. He declared the hangar
less aeroplane should have been tied and
anchored to the ground; that he left rope
with his assistants for that purpose
Experts agreed with him that if he had
faced the hurricane with his engine 60
ing at full speed and the elevating planes
tipped upward he might have breasted
the gale, but others were skeptical
Atwood unused over the ancient query
whether Washington would prove to be
his Nemesis. Then his jaws closed like ,
a steel trap and he said: I'm going to ,
carry out what I intended to do in this
city II II takes all summer"
A new machine will be shipped from a.,
the Burgess-Wright factory at Marble
head. Mass, for Atwoods use. It will
arrive in Washington either Tuesday or
Wednesday. II a suitable. purse, either ,
g, 900 or $500, is raised for him by that