New-York tribune., 1919-10-08
General Charlton, British
Aviation Attache, Will
Be First of so Fliers
From Roosevelt Field
Depart Every 2 Minutes
Flying Field Mechanics
Pick Lieut.. ". r. Taylor,
in Italian Plane, to Win

All is ready for the greatest air race
IN history, which starts at Mineola at
o'clock this morning.
To Brigadier General l.. f. 0. Charl-
son. the British Air Attache, has been
assigned the honor of being the first to
take off from Roosevelt Field in the
45oO-mile race across the continent
and back. This honor has been award
ed to the British officer as an interna-
.ional courtesy, because of his rank,
and also because of the personal
esteem in which he is held by the
United States Air Service officers.
Early this morning the fifty entries
srom Mineola will be lined up side by
side along the roped-of space marx;
the ultimate limit that spectators can
Opproach. Each machine vii be filled
to capacity with oil and fuel, in readi-
ness for the start.
At 1855 bugle call will sound The
pilots and passengers will tagc their
station in front of their machines, while
the mechanics will line up behind them
Then in an impressive ceremony Colo
mel Archie Miller. commander of all
aerial activities on Long Island, will
turn over the command TO Major Gen
eral Thomas II. Barry, commander OF
the Department OF the East. General
Barr ''ill be assisted by Brigadier
Genera, William Mitchell. the Air Ser
l. ~ IL.
tails of the race.
Comparative Test of Engines
Promptly at o'clock General Charl-
ton, who is to be accompanied bv his
assistant, Captain p. L. Trail. will taxi
his Bristol fighter to the centre of the
field and take off in the wind. Accord
ing to army officers, General Charl-
tons machine will make the race ex-
tremely interesting, as it Will afford
The first opportunity of comparative
test between the Liberty and Rolls
Royce enginns ih 4 long race.
Two f..iHttas .ai.ter General Charlton
leaves the iepsd space General Barry
nal 10 start his captured German Fox
fies OH the long stretch across the con
tinens -IheIeafteg the contestants will
leave at twominute Intervals until
twenty-five are on their way. The re-
naming twenty-five contestants will be
started this afternoon.
According to telegraphic advices the
contestants from the Pacific Coast will
leave San Francisco a. o'clock this
morning, also at twominute intervals.
This is being done TO Offset the differ
ence ~ three houra III time between
the two. terminals. The reports also
stated tdat the San Francisco entries
VIII encounter strong winds on their
tai!s fram northwe sterly direction.
This is expected to add twenty to
thirty miles an hour to their speed
and greatly help them in crossing the
mountains.
Thinks Air Bill Will Pass
General Mitchell arrived at Mineola
Yesterday direct from Washington,
where he mas been testifying before
me House and Senate Committees on
AiliEaEy Affairs on the question of a
separa.e department. Of aeronautics.
There is no doubt" he said, chat
Congress will pass the separate air
service Dill. The Senate committee,
~itin rae exception of one member, is
IN favor Of the bill. The House COM
mittee was very deeply impressed. The
only trouble with Congress is that tho
member 90 not know the truth about
Inc air service, and when they do know
'hey VIII Lndoubtedly pass the bill es-
l4nhsnng the department OF aeronau-
ties"
There we're forty-three machines
ready at Hazehurst Field yesterday
afternoon for the take-ofF to day. The
oshers are expected to arrive and be
pfepafed Tor the race to-day.
Colonel Archie Miller, commander OF
~. ans Long Island fields, said yesterdays:
Inc Hers 2'ho leave San Francisco
nave the Dest cnance 10 get across the
comment frs They viii have ao
sah'sge o. the prevailing winds. aAd
ehe further advantage OF crossing the
nonntains while their engines are fresh.
oaT sAipa must cross the greater pa.t
oi the continent before they reach the
mountains, and their engines will not
ne ss fresh % the san Francisco en-
fes tcr that task.
pA the return fight. however, the
ssteyaN'sfes viii be reversed to the
'@For G. our machines.'
Assemblies Own Machine
The keen interest which il the NOV
ing spirit Of all the aviators taking
part in the race was vividly portrayed
~ an incident at Hazelhurst Field yes
'erday. Lieutenant J. Il. Wright plead
60 for machine 10 take part in the
race but was told there was none
available.
Cndaunted, he made search of the
s.ores and found brand new OH 4
p'piane fresh from The factory al
ufa3ed up He approached Colone
@'iier and asked permission to fly il
hf rGtNYtrf tgfA ;.