The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-22

Slowly and majestically taking the air, the "Atascadero," with Capt. John Berry as pilot, c. A. White aide, ascended at Balloon field at 6:59 o'clock last night, officially marking the start of the national bal loon race, winner of which will earn the right to contest at Brussels, Bel gium, this fall for the James Gordon Bennett cup.
 Late starts in taking on gas were responsible for the delayed "hop-off." :"
 Pilot J. s. McKibben and Aide c. w. Merrell in the "St. Louis No. 5" were second off, taking the air at 7:1s o'clock. This bag drew third place for the start, but due to s1owness of Ralph Upson's balloon in taking on gas. Mo Kibben followed Captain Berry.
 Upson in the Birmingham Semi Centenniar left at 7:57 o'clock, with c. G. Andrus as aide. Roy Donaldson, pilot of the ''City of Birmingham, :" took the air at S:O5 o'clock. His aide is W. E. Robinson. Wade T. Van orman, City of Akron with w. P. Seiberling as aide, left at S:10 o'clock.
 BREEZE DIES DOWN Col F.'P L4ahm, pilot, and Major Os car Westover, aide, took the air in the army balloon at SAP o'clock. The bag piloted by Bernard von Hoffman, aided by Hugo Mueller, left the ground at 8:51 o'clock. Honeywelrs balloon 'hopped off" at SAY o'clock, sailing very slowly with almost absolute calm prevailing.
 The wind had shifted when the sixth, three sailing off in a north northeast direction.
 The navy balloon, last to go up, as- cended at s:4Si o'clock, drifting slowly over the top of the grandstand and trees in the neighborhood of the field. With very little breeze. the bag went almost due north
 Alan R. Hawley, Aero Club of Amer ica representative, expressed himself as satisfied with the start, although it was little late. No rules were vio- lated in getting away, MT. Hawley de- clared.
 SAIL NORTHWEST All balloons took a northwesterly course, which will shift to due north when they cross the Mississippi river, according to the last forecast of the weather observer, w. R. Gregg Ad- vice to all pilots was to fly low all night long, not going higher than 500 to 1,600 feet for the next 2 hours. This will enable the men to conserve bal last until the second day, affording a splendid opportunity for long distance flights.
 More than 1000 persons witnessed the "hop off of the first balloon. Hun dreds of automobiles encircled the field with many banked behind the grandstands. Many passengers in cars did not go into the grandstands, but remained seated in their cars. Special details of police and Boy Scouts helped handle the traffic in efficient manner, very few tie-ups oc- curing. Water sprinNlers of the city did their work we'll yesterday morn ing, dust being conspicuous by it's ab- sence along the route to the field.
 PILOTS RECEIVE COLORS
 Coiors of the two state universities, the two colleges of Birmingham and prepar- atory schools of the city were pinned on the pilots by sponsors who were accom- {. panied by maids of honor, just prior to the release of the balloons
 Mss Katherine Lynch, sponsor for the
 ieaNSSNNSio V, PiiOltu DN capt. JOnN Berry, pinned the colors of Auburn on the veterans breast moment before the bag was allowed to soar aloft Miss Lynch was the only sponsor who was not aided by lights, dusk falling shortly after the first balloon went up.
 Boyles' High school colors were pinned on McKibben's ship by Miss Clara Frank, sponsor Miss Fanke's maid was Miss Annie Evans. Colors of Birming- ham-southern were given to Ralph Up son, pilot of the Birmingham Seml- Centennial" by Miss Annie Lee Warren. sponsor
 Miss Augusta Mason. sponsor for the City of Birmingham" piloted by Roy Donaldson, pinned Central High'A colors on the pilot. Miss Mason's maid was Miss Merle Martin. Miss Ethel William son pinned Bessemer High schools colors on the City of Akron" pilot w. T. Van Orman. Her maid of honor was Miss Mary Stewart.
 Colors of Ensley High were pinned on Lieut.. Col F. P. Lahm by Miss Elsie Landers. aided by Miss Katie Spurgeon, maid of honor. Miss Vivian Remedy of Loulie Compton seminary placed her colors in care of Bernard Won Hoffman, pilot of the Review Club of St. Louis en, try. Her maid of honor was Miss Martha Oliver.
 The University of Alabama colors were placed on H. E. Honeywell's entry, Miss Hazel Phelps being sponsor, Miss Frances Gilmore was her maid of honor. Colors of Howard college were pinned on Lieut. Commander Louis J. Roth. pilot of the navy entry, by Miss Ruth Casey. Miss Ramsay Gillian was sponsor for the Aero Club of America.
 Pilots will report to the nearest news paper office and to the Aero Club of America as soon as they land. Bulletins from cities sighting them will be issued during the next few days The bags may stay up for three days. weather con- ditions being good.