The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-05
BALLOON WINNERS
 ARE PROTESTED BY
 ST. LOUIS ENTRANT
McKibben Claims Honeywell and Upson Exceeded Rules on Lifting Capacity-In-
 veStigation Is Ordered

The titles of the winners in the national elimination bal loon race, H. G. Honeywell of St. Louis piloting a private en- try and Ralph Upson, interna- tional champion, piloting the balloon of the Goodyear Rub- Der company, are being con- tested by J. 5. Mckibben, who piloted a private entry. Mir. Mckibben claims that their balloons were larger than the size specified in the rules of the Aero Club of America. If the decision goes against them the winner of the national race and the international champion will be ruled out of the interna- tional race on October B.
 News of the filing of the pro- test by Mir. Mckibben was re- ceived in Birmingham from headquarters of the Aero Club of America in New York by Virgil V. Evans.
 According to the rules of the Aero Clubs of America, the balloon must hold not more than S0.00O cubic feet of gas. MT. McKibben does not specify the amount which the two contested balloons go over the stipulated limit, but states that they were larger than the other contestants.
 BEING MEASURED
 The Aero clubs of America are
 having the bags measured and an
 official report on them will be is-
 sued in the next few days. sworn
 statements as to the measure
 ments of the balloons will be sent
 to the New York headquarters of
 the clubs in the next few days.
 So far, however, the telegram states Honeywell and Lieutenant Thompson of the United States Army are the winners, and with Upson, the Inter national champion will represent the United States. The message was siSncd by B. r. Castle chairman of the con test committee of the Aero Clubs of America
 MT Evans yesterday received let ter from A. Leo stevens, who pilo-ed his own balloon, the "Elsie Delight" in the National race in which he gave a ,lo of sg g- boro, Kentucky he ran into a whirl- wind storm which forced him to land. He and Lieutenant Emerson reached Drakesboro at the same time and he remarked on the fact that he watched the balloon of Lieutenant Emerson for several hours from behind cloud.
 BIRMINGHAM GAS
 In speaking of the Sas at BirmlnS- ham. Mir. Stevens said.
 q must say that the ascensional power of Birmingham gas is Al. The town IS an ideal location for balloon center. The gas which we got the first time was a little hot and went ont, but that cal be rectified for the international races and for all other balloon use after wards.
 Mir. Evans also received letter from Allen R. Hawley, representative of the Aero Clubs, who was in Birmingham fof the national race, in which he expressed his gratitude and the gratitude of the club for all of the courtesies shown by Birmingham people.
 The letter follows:
 'As the smoke clears away and the elimination balloon race is thing of the past, I again want to congratulate you on it's successful outcome and to per sonally thank you for your many kiad courtesies.
 ''T also want to take the liberty of re- uuesting that you convey the appreca- ton and thanks of myself and the clun and all of it's officers to all in Birmins ham who were so kind to the balloon race officials and contestants.
 q received today the sworn statements of A. C. Crowder and Dr. c. w. Shrop- shire, official starter and timekeeper. will be in Birmingham for the interna- tional race.
 Meanwhile the Chamber of Com merce of Birmingham is receiving com mendation in every report received here in New York from contestants in the na- tionaI race. ALLEN R. HAWLEY."