PIGEON FLYING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 8

PIGEON FLYING

WORLD'S RECORD FEAT “HALL OF FAME” AWARD AMERICAN FANCIER’S FINE TEAM. To win the. first six prizes in a 600inile race with six pigeons which dropped into their loft together seems to bo an impossible performance, remarks The Racing Pigeon, published in London on May 16. The feat has been accomplished by a prominent American fancier, it proceeds. This remarkable feat—a world’s record—goes to the honour of Air Lewis F. Curtis, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and has earned for him the distinction of being the first to receive the award of the “ Hall of Fame. ’ ’ The “Hall of Fame” was originated in 1929 for the purpose of giving due acknowledgement to racing pigeon performances accomplished beyond reasonable expectation, and Air Curtis, whom we enthusiastically compliment, is certainly worthy of being the first to have his name enrolled. His pigeons, all from Belgian pedigree stock, accomplished the journey at something like an average speed of 1,434 yards per minute. Air Curtis is first vice president of tho International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers. Perhaps it is best to let Air Harry C. Burke, Publicity Chairman of National Organisations, tell his own story of the birds and the presentation. It is as follows: “On June 28, 1930, a new American record, if not a world’s record, was established by the feat of six racing pigeons belonging to Air Lewis F. Curtis, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, returning in 12 hours and 16 minutes togethci -from 600 miles and winning the first six positions in The Greater Boston Concourse Association’s annual 600-mile race, the largest race flown in America at this distance, with 51 fanciers and 202 birds competing. Birds liberated at Romeo, Michigan, at 5.58 a.m., and the six winners clocked in at Air Curtis’ loft at 6.14 p.m. together, on day of toss.

‘“Pho ancestors of these birds were purchased direct froir Messieurs Everard Havcnith (of Antwerp. Belgium), Lueieu Bastin (of Vcrviers, Belgium), Guilliame Stassart (of Anderlecht, Belgium), and Paul Sion (of Tourcoing, France).

“Air Theodore Vekcns, formerly of Grammant, Belgium, and associated with Mr Curtis at his large and pala tiai lofts, called ‘Journey’s End,’ received much praise for his splendid handling of the six winners. “Nothing even approaching it had ever been accomplished before. Fanciers who had heretofore been sceptical about the ability of the Belgian racing pigeon were loud in their praise of the four Continental fanciers mentioned above who had furnished Air Curtis with birds from which he was able to produce such racers.

“On January 10, 1931, the National Committee, composed of nine men, three each from the three national bodies controlling the sport in America, met in New York City and unanimously voted the premier award in the ‘Hall of Fame’ to Air Curtis for the performance of his six winners.

“The ‘Hall of Fame’ was adopted by the three national organisations in 1929 at the suggestion of Dr E. Walter Edlund, of Maywood, Illinois, for the purpose of honouring extraordinary and meritorious racing feats beyond reasonable expectations. The award is only conferred when a performance as described above is accomplished, and is not given annually, but only when an exceptionally meritorious feat is performed. The ‘Hall of Fame’ carries with it the award of a beautiful solid gold medal about two inches in diameter, artistically designed and appropriately described, also a gold engraved racing record of the bird or birds honoured. In addition, each fancier receiving the award has his name inscribed on the beautiful monument of the ‘Hall of Fame’ erected by American fanciers, and located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the nation. “As the ‘Hall of Fame’ only came into existence in the winter of 1929 it was only since the commencement of racing in 1930 that American fanciers were given the opportunity of competing for it. Air Lewis F. Curtis is indeed highly honoured in being the first American fancier to receive this dis tinguished award. “The presentation of the ‘Hall of Fame’ award to Air Lewis F. Curtis was made in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 21, by Acting-Secretary of War, Col. F. 11. Payne in front of the War Department at noon. In his presentation speech to Mr Curtis the Acting-Secretary of War gave high honour and tribute to Messieurs Havenith, Bastin, Stassart and Sion for sending him the ancestors of his famous racing birds. “At 11.30 a.m. the crowd started to gather. Also present were- leading fanciers from every State in the Union, as well as many Washington fanciers. Tho surprising feature to all visitors was the great number of photographers present from every leading newspaper in tho country, as well as several mo-tion-picture photographers. In addition, also, were the official War Department photographers. “At 11.50 a.m., the Acting-Secretary of War, Col. F. H. Payne, accompanied by his military aide, Col. Carr, alighted from their official car and were met by Col. George. E. Kumpe, in charge of the Signal Corps of the War Depart ment. They were next introduced to all the prominent men in attendance, among whom were the following: Air Walter Schmitt (chairman of the National Committee), Colonel George E. Kumpe (the Acting-Secretary of War), Col. F. 11. Payne, Lewis F. Curtis, Colonel Carr (the Acting-Secretary of War’s aide), Major Crawford, Alajor Lewis, Capt. Borden and Lieut-Bullock. The fanciers present, included the officers of the national bodies. Tho AetingSerretary of War, on behalf of the National organisations, stood directly in front of Mr Lewis i'\ Curtis, and, in well-chosen words, said: ‘lt is a privilege to be honoured by the national pigeon organisations in permitting me, as Acting Secretary of War of the United States, to present to Mr Lewis F. Curtis, of Chestnut Hills, Alassachusetts, the certificate and gold medal for the meritorious performance of six of his racing pigeons winning (he first six places in the Massachusetts Concourse Association, making the flight on day of toss. “‘To those men, Al. Havenith, M. Bastin, Al. Stassart, AL Sion, all of Belgium ami France, who sent the ancestors of those birds Io Mr Curtis,

American racing-pigeon fanciers extend their greetings. “ ‘Air Curtis, on behalf of the organisations and in the name of the United States War Department, it is a pleasure to honour you at this time.’ “It was a great day for the American racing pigeon, and will live for many years in the memories of those whi were fortunate enough to be present. “At 7.45 p.m. a banquet was tendered to all fanciers present by the Capital City Concourse at the New Amsterdam Hotel in Washington, D.C. Tlx opening event was the showing of the film of United States War Department showing Victory Parade in Paris. 1919, celebrating the victory of the Allied Armies. Then Col. George E. Kumpe, Commanding Officer of the Signal Corps of the War Department in W: diington, again presented Air Lewis F. Curtis with the ‘Hall of Fame’ awards. Mr Curtis accepted same and responded with a short but interesting speech, amidst great applause. “Tho closing event of the evening I was tho display of the beautiful oil painting of Mr Curtis’ six winning birds, done on a four-foot-squard canvas by Air Lynn Bogue .Hunt, of New York City. “Fanciers then went to their respective homes inspired with the hope of some day accomplishing a meritorious performance and unanimous in their opinion that this was by far the greatest event in tho history of the sport in A incriea.''