Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-17

Aero Club-if only for the reason that the
latter grew out Of the Automobile CUB tH de
touring public. Half the places-or, to be
exact. alternate oalloons-are reserved TO
the members Of the Gin Club, who draw
lots to decide which OF them snail nave
the right to take a lady up on any given
date.
Plenty Willing to Go.
1t is, indeed. astonishing how new fad
leaps into vigorous existence. Less than
two months ago, when M. Louis Olivier
was planning the balloon excursions with
Count Henry de la Vaulx, most OF the
Aero Club members affirmed that hey could
not possibly succeed; that no one wouio
ask to go up in the balloons At the pres
ent moment, when the members OF the Gln
Club and the general public are disputing
every ticket, these same croakers-grown
suddenly enthusiastic-are demanding We
hementiy to be favored in the ticket dis
tribution in their quality Of Aero Club
members.
Finally, those Aero Club members who
own balloons personally and who had not
thought to fill them once through all the
present summer, have caught the craze
and are taking up excursions once or Twice
a week Thus only yesterday the DUO de
lies and the Comte de Negreponte took
up three balloon tourists" of whom two
were ladies, and have made arrangements
to take up another party next week Thus
the Comte de la Vallette Will take party
driven to emulation-will start with friends
of his own at the same hour from the same
point-the Aero Club grounds at ST. Cloud
to see which goes the furthest! MeanWnlle
Count Henry de La Vaulx and those OF the
Gin Club who landed with him In Bavaria
hold the long-distance record OF the present
wear They came to earth at Opoes, near
Geldhausen, having covered 615 kilometers
(420 miles) in less than nineteen hours.
For these reasons and quite unexpectedly,
the Aero Clubs grounds, just beyond the
Coteaux station of Saint Cloud, have come
to be the liveliest and most interesting spot
in all Paris suburbs. There is not af-
ternoon In which at least one balloon party
does not start off; while certain dates.
like that Of yesterday. as many as four
started. Within a short time the air line
the first and still the only Line" with
schedule-will double it's capacity by put
ting on two more balloons. This will be
done as soon as its new captains Vernan-
Chef, ST., and Henri Blanchet, find them
selves at liberty from other social engage
ments.
Wonderful Sights.
1t Is an extraordinary sight No prettier
panorama exists around Paris than that of
the Aero Club grounds. On one side rise
the hills and terraces Of Saint Cloud on
the other rolls the River Seine, with its
banks beautifully wooded. In the midst of
the grounds rise the balloon houses, in
which the gigantic spheres can be kept for
Gays, tOSluS only d Siildii pOi lloH VI lutu
gas Pipes from the town Of Saint Cloud
furnish common Illuminating gas to such
as use it; while a hydrogen generator of
great capacity supplies lighter and more
preferred litter" So it happens there are
always balloons practically ready to go off.
Indeed. they are like automobiles in the
garage or wheel room" of the Automo-
bile Club.
1t is an extraordinary sight. In all times
past those who have gone up in balloons
have been almost invariably professionals.
During the memorable summer of the Paris
exhibition it was rightly thought a most
Unusual and most admirable exploit for
Aero Club members, amateurs and wealthy
young men all of them, to win the prizes
and break all the records Of professionals
in the great tournament or competition.
Now they go a step further-and a great
one Instead of going up alone, these same
ballooning amateurs take with them ordi-
nary passengers from the great public
ladies even, who, a year ago, would have
shrunk from the very thought Of going up
in a balloon! STERLING HELLO.