The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-10-21

president OF the congress. He accepted the posi-
tion turned over his business affairs to his parter
ahd went To work. The first step was to get
twenty-five Omaha business men TO back the
project for $1,000 each. This was easily done
~ was also easy to get the Endorsement Of oil
o'haha business and social organizations
speakers bureau was formed to educate the cit
tens Arrangements to raise funds for financing the
congress were made. Attention was then turned
20 the preparation OF a program worthy of the
occasion.
Incidentally It became necessary TO provide a
landing held large enough to stage the program
little thing like this. however, did not deter the
MIR men, who located farm Of 1886 acres showing
possibilities as field, although II was uneven ana
contained $50 large trees
Held day. was duly announced and the air
men ana their friends rolled up their sleeves and
Win the assistance OF two Holt caterpillar trac.
tors donated for the occasion pulled the trees md
leyeed the land
An open drainage ditch travcrsed the center OF
the field. which lies on the edge of one Of the
residence districts, only fifteen minutes ride from
the heart Of Omaha. The city council was inducad
10 vote unanimously to build covered sewer
through the field ut cost OF $4,000 So the
problem OF a flying field was satisfactorily solved
In the meantime, an office force was busy mail.
Ing thousands OF Invitations and pamphlets to
the mir men and celebrities. such as President
Harding Marshal Foch Orville Wright Glenn
N u.
The graduates Of Fort Omaha balloon school
the center Of Americas wartime balooning. were
invited for their first reunion. Squadrons and
escadrilles OF flyers were asked hold their first
reunions In Omaha The ffty.two American aces
were Invited rs well everyone else interested
In aviation.
The aid Of Kansas City was enlisted In sending
the Americal Legion convention delegates on to
Omaha. The Endorsements OF national headouar.
tiers OF the American Legion, OF the Aero Club OF
America. OF the Worlds Beard Of Aeronautical
Commissioners and Of the Aircraft Manufacturer
Association were obtained. The cooperation Of
the Army and Navy air headquarters was asked
for and received.
The railroads helped out by offering fare and
a half rate for the round trip from all parts Of
the country to Omaha. 0utxon Borglum, world
famed sculptor offered a commemorative medal
design symbolical OF the work Of the American
air man during the war. as his "blt." James
Hanley. song writer OF New York. wrote a special
song praising the work of the flyers. to be sung
for the first time at the congress,
In preparing Its program. Omaha had a piece
Of rare good luck right at the outset As every.
one knows, the Pulitzer Trophy Race became the
worlds most famous air event with Its first run
Ming In November Of 1920 at Mitchell Field. New
York. under the auspices OF the Aero Club OF
America. There were twenty-five Army eight
Navy. seven Marine Corps and one Civilian IN
trants In the contest. The winner Lieut.. C.
c. Moseiy Of the Army air service who flew iaa
miles In verve- Packard machine at an average
speed OF LIS miles hour. The Army won seven
Of the first ten places In the contest and the Navy
two. There were $4,000 spectators. including celeb
rifles from all walks OF life.
Well. the Pulitzer Trophy Race for 1921 had
been scheduled for Detroit. but difficulties had
arisen and the Aero Club Of America had can.
celled the race for the year. Omaha stepped In
and offered the necessary funds. In consequence.
fhs Nr1f asp mao erur Ia hla.
The First International Aero Congress an
nounces the second annual aerial contest for The
Pulitzer Trophy. In connection with the nrst con