Paris Preliminaries

Paris Preliminaries

Both shores of the Atlantic buzzed last week with the activities of men determined to fly between New York and Paris. The standing offer of Raymond C. Orteig, Manhattan hotel man, of $25,000 to the first successful performer, and the 10,000 francs ($400) offered by the Paris Temps, had little to do with the case. These sums would hardly pay interest on the total investments involved. Fame, promotions, cinema and press contracts, above all Adventure—were the real stimulants.

Abroad, five bands of Frenchmen were thus stimulated, the most notable being headed by Ace Coli and Ace Nungesser. But shortage of capital hindered the French preparations.

In the U. S., three expeditions actually tested their planes, accumulated final equipment: