Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-11
NAVY WANTS END
OF SPEED RACES
Withdrew From Schneider
Cup Contests Because
of Toll of Lives.

Tomorrow is expected to bring to a
close one OF the most intense and dan
gerous international competitions with
the permanent winning by Great Brit
ain of the Schneider Seaplane trophy.
for 10 years the focal point OF the most
determined competition by the worlds
premier speed flyers
It is the hope of naval officers here
that tomorrows runs for the trophy, at
Calshot. England. will bring to an end
competitions based on the present regu-
lations, and that II England chooses to
offer another trophy to replace the
Schneider, that the rules be so drawn
as to prevent the heavy loss of life
which has attended Schneider racing
during the past few years.
II the trophy il to be offered again
the rules should be drawn SO as to bar
planes which are nothing but danger
GUS projectiles. designed for speed
alone, and should be limited to planes
which have some useful civil or mill
tary function beside terrific speed. This
would cut down the speeds OF the
Schneider racers. now approaching the
rate Of 400 miles per hour, but would
prove OF great benefit to aviation, 1t
was pointed out.
British Victory Seen.
Great Britain is expected TO win the
Schneider event tomorrow for the third
consecutive time, which will give that
country permanent possession OF
trophy for which millions OF dollars
have been Spsnt and score of lives
sacrificed The past few weeks have
witnessed the loss of five lives in prep
arations fer the Schneider race in
Great Britain. France and italy. So
badly has death crippled the Italian
and French racing teams that they are
not expected to offer more than
shadow OF competition for the great
British team, according to word re-
ceived here.
Even should the Nays high-speed
program, launched this year after its
abandonment in 1925, produce plane
At for entry in Schneider competition.
should the British reoffer the cup, this
country probably would not enter unless
the rules are amended to reduce the
tremendous hazard to life. it was indi-
Gated at the Navy Department today en-
the eve of the race.
We could not consider gcing into
racing competition. which would draw
the best blood in our flying service. with
the knowledge that one or more Of the
men selected would be almost certainly
doomed it was explained by one of
the ranking naval officers interested in
the Navys hieh-speed program NO
competition OF that sort is worth SO
great a price"
United States Out Since 1926
Drafting of rules which would require
the competing planes to pass some sort
OF efficiency rating based on conSidera-
tons other than speed alone would not
only save the lives of the pilots engaged,
but would result in the production of
l. ,k, Il H. II
to aviation The Schneider planes of
, today are OF no use except for racing
except as they may provide knowledge
applicable 10 other types Of planes, 1t
was pointed out.
The United States has not engaged
n competition for the Schneider Trophy
since 1926, when both Army and Navy
were withdrawn because OF lack OF
funds for further development. This
country won two legs on the trophy
and could have gained permanent pos
session, but for the sporting instinct
which prompted the Navy to withdraw
in 1924 when misfortune forced out all
the foreign contestants. The Navy had
only to fly the course in that year 20
gain its second leg on the cup. The
victory of Lieut.. James H. Jimmy"
Doolittle in 1925 would have meant per-
manent winning Of the coveted trophy.
The United States, England. France
and Italy all have held the Schneider
Trophy in the l8 years OF existence.
Italy, the United States and England
having at different times gained two
successive legs
The Trophy was offered by M. Jacques
Schneider. son of the head of the great
Schneider gun factory at Creusot. in
1912. and Is valued at $4,000. Schneider
died in poverty three years ago at
time when various countries were spend
ing more than million dollars 10 win
his trophy.