Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-10
ADAMS ADVOCATES
SCHNEIDER CUP AID
DepIoreS Nays Decision,
But Will Work to Secure
American Entrants.

American Entrants.
The National Aeroneutlc Assoela
ZION will leave no stone unturned
IN it's effort to secure American par
ticipation in this years Schneider
Gun races. Porter Adams, president
Of the association, declared today, fol
towing announcement by the Navy
Department that it would not compete.
Criticizing the decision of the Navy
Department MIR. Adams declared thar
America "sportsmanship and honor,
necessity of maintaining its prestige
In the air and the need of obtaining
experience which cannot be obtained
In any other way all demand that
the United States compete IN the
races.
According TO the rules, any nation
which wins three of five consecutive
races wins the cup permanently
Since Italy won last year. the race
this year will be held in Venice. The
Navy Department, in deciding not to
compete, gave expense as its reason.
Losing Big Opportunity.
The National Aeronautic Assoeia-
ton. as the official entrant for the
United States. greatly regrets the an.
nounced decision of the Navy Depart
ment not TO compete" Mr.. Adams
said. II cannot but feel that the
Navy is missing a great opportunity
not only to maintain the prestige of
the United States in aviation, but
also, through this event. to obtain in
In a nd
construction. which cannot be OBJ
tanned in any other way.
This fact was proved last year by
the Italians, who brought to this coun-
tIy seaplanes which were not only
the fastest in the world. but which
demonstrated for the first time that
monoplanes could be built and flown
at racing speeds with entire absence OF
wing fiutter and other unfavorable
characteristics. These planes also in
corporated notable advances in en-
eines and seaplane floats and other de-
tails which in my opinion more than
compensated for any cost involved.
II personally feel that the United
States is compelled, for American
workmanship and honor, to be rep
resented in this years race, and this
association viii leave no stone un-
turned in its effort to secure American
PHlIdHkS IOE lIlLS GfCHls lCCl OOAlA-
dent that the patriotism and enthu-
siasm of the American people for avia-
ton is so great that this country will
be represented at Venice"
Announcement Is Blow.
Secretary Wilburs announcement
last night came as a blow not only to
naval airmen. but all aeronautical
Washington, which had visualized the
Navy journeying to Italy and snatch
ing from the crack airmen of that
country the trophy which was carried
from these shores last November by
Mai. Mario De Bernardo and his
Machi-Fiatt monoplane, which was
superior to the American craft in
every respect.
Secretary Wilbur's statement an
nouncing the withdrawal of the Navy
the organization which won the
first "Ieg" on the trophy and since
has become the chief defender-said:
The department feels that 1t has
fostered racing as far as il can under
tion has been obtained in the develop
ment Of planes and engines for the
Navy.
The department believes that the
amount of such information likely to
he secured through a continuance of
racing activity would not be common.
surate with the expenditure of funds
involved
The decision that the Navy will
not enter the Schneider Cup race this
year does not mean that this country
need not be represented by private
citizens. hTe Schneider Cup race, in
which this country has already won
two legs out of three, should be per-
petual as an international sporting
competition, aside from any bearing
that 1t may have on the development
of service aircraft.
If the Schneider Cup race can be
10 aviation what the old America Cup
was and is to yachting, then the ideal
will have been reached
Need Powerful Engines.
Had the Navy entered the contest
this year. it would have had to dis
card its three racing planes and build
new craft that could cover the Schnei-
der course at at least ESQ miles an
hour. The engineering work alone is
IN important element of the cost and
this would include the design and con-
struction of more powerful engines as
well as new design and construction
of the planes themselves.
A conference of the Federation
Aeronautique Internationale, world
governing body for aircraft perform
Hnces, held at Rome last October.
fixed the date of the race every two
wears at the suggestion of the British,
but this drew protest from the
American delegates, who succeeded in
having another conference called on
January 20. At this meeting the
original plan was again adopted to
hold the race annually, and Italy, last
winner of the race, was given the
privilege of naming the place and
date 1t is to be held this year.
Italy entered the contest with but
seven months in which to design and
build three planes and three engines
and the progress made by the Macchi
and Fiatt companies astounded Ameri-
can aeronautical engineers. In view
of this performance. 1t was felt here
that although the time until October
is short, American ingenuity could
equal If not surpass that record
America first won the race at
COwes. England, in 1928 There was
no race the following year owing to
the crash of Britain's only entry, and
in 1925 it won again at Baltimore. A
victory last year would have meant
permanent possession. Under the
rules, the country winning three times
In Ave consecutive contests becomes
the permanent owner. That gives
America only one more year in which
to gain this honor, 1928, If no planes
are entered this year.
VENICE PICKED FOR RACE.
Italians Reject Bids of Ostia, Gaeta
nd