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159

CONTRACTS

I made contracts at state fairs where it was possible to have the infield of the race track free and clear of obstacles. Fair officials thought it would be a grand thing to start and finish right in front of the grandstand. The track was not wide enough to take care of sidewinds, puffs, down trends and other disturbances or to land safely. On account of this condition we had to pass up altogether some very good contracts. 

CHICAGO - 1910

I wanted to have an aviation meet at Chicago and knowing the territory, I figured that we could be very successful if we have the proper kind of weather. I proceeded to Chicago and called upon my friend, Mr. Stephens, who was the secretary of the Aero Club and suggested to him that it would be very good advertising for Chicago if we could hold an aviation meet on the Lake front. He volunteered the information that the man I wanted to see was Harold McCormick. If he became interested he would guarantee the success of it. 

I approached the Harvester Building and called at the office of H. McCormick. His secretary was a very able young man who informed me that Mr. McCormick was not interested and was altogether too busy to waste time talking to me. I found that no amount of persuasion would change his point of view. So I went down to the street and looked up and down Michigan Avenue. It was my business to hold a meet and I was going to hold a meet - the question was how? Then I noticed one of the electric signs. I looked at it the second time and the message to the public was "Thing of it! The Record Herald, one cent!" 

At that time the Record Herald was three cents, all the newspapers