The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-19
ax WALTER HENRY

By WALTER HENRY It is an unusual and wonderful sight to witness half dozen aeroplanes in the air at the same time executing wonderful maneuvers and responding to the guiding hands of the daring air men, yet such a sight was witnessed yesterday afternoon at the fair grounds when the intrepid aviators who are making daily flights at the great spring aviation meet and auto mobile races given this week under the auspices of the Business Mems league of Birmingham rose into the air The great interest shown by the thou sands who have attended the meet In the past two days was manifested by the manner in which they crowded around the airships previous to the flights and the eagerness of the crowds to witness the great bird-like machines as they rose gracefully from the ground or futtered like descending eagle.
 Flights Sensational
 The flights were sensational in the ex- treme The wonderful skill and daring of the aviators called forth involuntary applause from the thousands who had as- SemDleQ to witness the IlRnlS. Not less in importance or interest were the great automobile races. The speed demons" encircled the fastest track in the south at most terrific spsSd and the evenly matched machines made most in- teresting and exciting finish. The motor cycle races proved as popular as ever and the lightning flyer made wonderful | ila frao "Children's Day occurs today This Is day of great import to all of the school children of the city and of Greater Bir- mingham as well as to the young men and young women in the higher grades, for it is a day set apart by the board of education and Superintendent Phillips for the purpose of permitting all students to attend the great meet They appre- ciate the fact that the science of aviation is new and remarkable.
 All of the schools close at noon and the thousands of pupils win have time to dress in holiday attire and take along with them flags and other gala ornaments to the fair grounds. It is estimated that about 5000 pupils will be present and about as many more mothers of the pupils.
 Greater Birmingham Day l It has been decided, in view of the bad | tending Wednesday afternoon, to have Monday for Greater Birmingham day | again.
 There are to be remarkable features for Monday afternoon and the chiefs of factories. mines, offices, stores and other places of business have been requested to close in order to permit their employees to attend.
 Greater Birmingham. it is thought will bring out a tremendous crowd, providing weather conditions are favorable. | Motorcycle Races
 When the gates opened yesterday there was big crowd of people on hand and this number was augmented during the next hour which many took advantage of by visiting the automobile show in Ex- position hall When ? o'clock arrived there was upward of 7OOO people on the grounds.
 | The bank was playing lively music and everybody was feeling In prime good hu nor when the meet opened with sensa- t:onal motorcycle race for five miles. The distance planned Tor was 25 miles, but | the track was in such exceedingly danger ous condition that 1t precluded any sucf distance.
 The track was in very dangerous con dition. While the wind and the surshine had dried up the ground to 2 very con siderable extent, yet on the curves and ir ! certain stretches of the circular course | there were spots which offered luicl graves for unwary drivers Of automobiles and the riders of motorcycles Today it will be much better. as every effort is tc be made to make it in the very best of condition.
 Watson Wins There were four entrants in the scnsa- tional race, comprising Leslie Watson Indian motorcycle; Harry Dillon. Indian. M. E. Little, Indian. and Ollie MGllin Indian The referee was ". D. Gresham of the Federation of American Motor | cvclists: official time keeper. | G. Caid- well. The order Of finishing was: yat-
 son first Dillon second; Little, third,
 MIlin. fourth.
 It was a splendid race in every way | There were no spills and the men were fairly we'll punched. Watson is a local man and his winning the money csugh,
 the fancy of the big crowd. He was loud ly applauded.
 Brind,ey Tries Altitude
 Directly after the sensational motor cycle race. Aviator oscar Rrindley. in lthe Wright biplane, went up into the air in an attempt at the American al.i- -ltude record Conditions overhead were livery bad, but Brindley is devoid of fear. He climbed up steadily with the spiral movements and soon disappeared For many minutes he was out of sight of the great crowd and fears were en- l tertained for his safety when his aero plane was seen approaching the ground ,ngain. Brindley had gone away across Jones valley. travelling a distance of