The sun., 1919-05-02
BOLFF WINS PRIZE
OPENING AIR PORT
Flies From Belmont Park to
Pan-American Aero Congress
in Atlantic City.
STINSON COMES SECOND
Aviator Descends at
Asbury Park-Weather
Halls Army Men.
Special DespafcA to rHp Sun.


ATLANTIC Crrr, May THE second
pan-American Aeronauticsl Congress
got away to q real flying start here this
AFTERNOON. Two machines dipped into
the air port at Chcrsea an hour before
the convention sessions were OPENED on
the Steel Pier bringing delegates with
a message OF international scope.
Men of the Air Service of European
and Latin American countries were on
the platform. Greetings were received
from twenty different countries and read
from the platform by the seer tary, Au-
gustus Post.
First to wheel down in view of walt
ing omcials was the beautiful Curtiss
Oriole piloted by Lieut.. John Rolf. with
victor Hugo Barranco. special represent
tative or President Menocal Of Cuba, for
whom he carried wireless greetings to
the convention. The Oriole had mounted
Into the air from Belmont Park at IL 40
o'clock. taking just two hours and eight
minutes in the night. despite the pres
sure OF wind that cut in from the ocean
all the way down. growing stronger as
they proceeded until II was registering
thirty-hve miles an hour almost dead
ahead when Atlantic City was sighted
drizsling rain was encountered
throughout the trip.
stinsOn Tumbles In.
Ten minutes later Eddie Stinson,
aerial acrobat, hove in sight over the
held. He was flying close to 5000 feet
over the marshlands when the waiting
officials caught him just as he went into
action In his famous loop the loop and lie
proceeded to tumble tail over nose and
nose over tail until within 500 feet of
the landing field. when he Strengthened
out, went into a barrel roll and then
swung into a dizzy swoop that brought
him to a perfect landing within a few
feet or the reception committee headed
by Henry Woodhouse. vice-president Of
the Aerial League Of America. Stinson
left Belmont Park at IL :05 and he
landed at 2:40 o'clock. carrying with
him as passenger Lieut.. w. G. Shaw.
U, S. N r. They made a landing at
Sea Girt TO replenish their gas supply.
BY their flights they qualified for frst
and second In the opening prize offered
by the Pan-American convention, Roln
getting $500 and Stinson $3.50.
Other machines had been listed for the
trip, but no further word was received
tonight, although 1t Is believed that
Lieut. Morgan. flying from Port Jeffer-
son. landed at Asbury Park, word COM
ing by the Coast Guard wire that an
aviator had landed there.
Lieut.. Bolr. after going to the convsn
ton on the pier, excused himself and set
sail for New York in driving rain and
strong wind at 4 :43 p. M. to keep a
supper engagement in New York" as he
put 1t. He reached Hazelhurst Field at
Mineola at 5:57 PM
The two successful flights, which off,
cially opened the first air port in the
world, were made in the face of weather
conditions that led Victory Loan fiers
to remain on the ground under orders
of their commanding officer. Major
Baldinger. officer in charge, in a tele-
gram that reached the convention from
Washington shortly before the meeting
opened. stated: Heavy rain and low
hanging clouds prevailing. 1t is feared
planes will be unable to attend your
opening rally" 1t had been planned
to stage a big Victory Loan rally in
combination with the formal opening OF
the convention. but as only the COM
mercial craft came through this was
postponed.
The leading aviators and aerial ex-
perts attending the convention we're the
guests tonight Of Joseph A. Steinmetz.
president Of the Aero Club Of Pennsyl-
vania, at a reception and dinner at the
Grand Atlantic Hotel.