The Washington herald., 1920-08-10
.FLIERS' PRIZE T
CALLED UNFAIR
British Airmen Would Re
wise Rules for Cross-Sea
Race. l@al
WANT 100000 SPLIT
Captain Contends World
Should Encourage Fund
less AWators.
WANT 100000 SPLIT

Cuashington HeraId-Cro,, Atisrtfe
Service, Special Cable Dispxtek-) t
BY CAPT. CHARLES CHAMBERS,
CLate r. A. r. Ia :. p, ID. =. c.
who Served on the Italian Frcwt
During thu War, Saw Service In
France and with Gen smuts IN
Africa.D
London, Aug. 9.-The announce
ment that the American Aero Club
is arranging an air race half round
the world, that is to say, from New
York to PernambUco and thence
across the Atlantic to Europe and
back to New York. Is Of tremen-
dous interest 10 all who have fol-
lowed the progress Ol aerial de-
velopment
II is interesting 10 compare the
four previous feats which one may
say are the stepping-stones TO pres
ent-day flying.
Previous Past Flights
The FIRST event OF importance was
the achievement Of the Wright
brothers. who first left the grounu
in a heavier-thsn-sir machine. Fol
lowing this came Bleriot's fscOus
cross-ChanneI fight, and after that
a period during which il would be
difficult to point to any great de-
veIopment until the war invested
flying with a new importance. Last
year another stepping-stons was
( passed by the successful crossing
Of the Atlantic by the late Sir John
Alcock- BY this feat alone, Alcock
showed the world what the prog
ress Of aviation meant.
The fourth and last step was the
England flight which
stands as the greatest feat OF re-
| liability and endurance in the an
. nails OF the air.
lowing this came Bleriot's famous
| every airman, the enterprise Of the
air clubs Of eighteen nations who
will participate in this great race
twice across the Atlantic, one feels
! that the enormous feat 10 be car
ried out is worth a bigger reward
than the 100000 prize awaiting
the winner. Not that the winner
would be dissatisfied, but am sure
that a gold watch would be more
| appreciated il the 100000 was di-
/ vided among the equally intTepij
airmen who must take the same
risks. and lose-to give the WINES
his victory.
feel convinced that much OF tho
most valuable talent OF aerial SCI
cnce has been lost to aviation be-
cause the entrants, game TO the
last. who have sold out to provide
money for their one attempt and
II possessed both the brains and en-
terprise to have led in aviation II
they could have held on. have lost
their race, and in losing been lost
to flying.
one feels that II so many aero
clubs are interested in this great
attempt TO fly from New YORK 70
Europe and back. would il not U-
as well to have the fight srrsnL ed
by an international committee. who
could assist and subsidize any en-
terrrisinE competitor who could
show that his entrance in the race
is in the interests Of aerial sci.
ence! q
The appointment Of q commit
tee such as this would raise the
race from a national affair 10 an
event OF worldwide importance
and one whoch was open 70 any
airman-rich or poor-who possess
cd the skill 10 qualify HIM to com
pete. In no sphere Of human ar-
tivity is the individual OF such par
amount Importance as in the air,
and most-if not all-of the aerial
achievements in the past can b.
traced as much TO individual enter
| prise as collective development II
! would, therefore. be little less than
a tragedy n the expenses insen'
arabic form this attempt prevented
any airmsn anxious 10 further the
interests Of aviation from comPet'
ing.
Copyright. 1891 Gross Atlantic Ncvspsr>
J Service. lur-l