The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-13
Topeka May Be Station on Ma
tiOnaI AerOpIane Circuit.
Only Half Dozen Cities in
America Given This Honor.
AVIATORS FROM EVERYWHERE
More Than 100000 in Prizes
Offered to Air Men.
Secretary of Aero Club OF
America Here This Week.

In all proba bility, Topeka will be one
| of the half dozen cities in the United
States included in the checking stations
, of the first annual national circuit are
; oplane races which will be held about
the middle of September. C. w. French,
secretary of the Aero Club of America,
will be in the city the last of this
week to confer with officers of the
Western Aero association of this city
on the plan.
The national circuit aeroplane races
will start from Chicago prOba bly, Sep
TENDER 16 Prizes amounting to $780,
900 have been put up. To the aviator
who returns to Chicago first in the
contest will be given $4,000. Aero
planes from all over the world Will
enter the events which will be the
greatest of it's kind in the history OF
the air in this country.
If the aerial promoters in Topeka will
raise not more than $4,000 the race
will stop in this city. The aviators
will come one day and leave the next.
Topeka will be the only city in Kan
sas thus favored. The other cities on
the proposed circuit are Chicago, Lin
coin. ST. Louis, Indianapolis and De-
troit.
If the events came during state fair
week in Topewa there would be nc
trouble in obtaining the necessary
amount to guarantee station in this
believed that the race will be of suf-
ficient interest to draw thousands OF
spectators from all over the country.
This will be the first circuit race held
in America. In foreign countries they
are the aeroplane sensation of the sea-
sons.
c. c. Higgins, of the Western Aero
association in Topeka, is enthusiastic
over the plan. ''AViators from all over
the world will enter this race" he said
They will have biplanes and multi
planes and many will carry passengers.
The west will see the first real aero
plane meet in the history of the coun-
try. The Aero Club of America is be-
hind the movement.
THE Western Aero association will
donate it's two balloons as attractions
in the meet One of these balloons
will be made a captive and will act
as a light house to the aviators coming
to Topeka from Lincoln. The big bal
loon, Topeka IL will be held as cap
tive also, but viii be used to carry
passengers up into the air for a bird s.
eye view of Topeka and surrounding
country.
Il believe that this will be the great
est advertisement in the history of To
peka. The national circuit races ara
attracting world wide attention. For
days the newspapers all over the
world will contain features of this race.
1t would be big thing for this city
to be placed on the aero map with
six of the leading cities in this coun-
try.
When c. w. French, secretary of the
Aero Club of America, comes in To-
peka the last of this week and presents
the matter to the Commercial club and
the fair association, the decision will
be made. Lincoln, Neb., has deposited
$4,000 with the club for a station in
that city. Chicago has donated 100000
to the meet.
Lincoln has its state fair two weeks
before the machines will be lowering
over their city but there was no hesi-
fancy in raising the necessary funds
to place the city on the aerial map.