Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-28

cIub-the Aero Club of France.
You know how Paris was cut off from all
the world in 1870; how communications
were at last reopened by balloonsts; how
Gambetta and very many others were taken
out, and how the inhabitants were able to
send out tens of thousands of letters photo
graphed down microscopfcally on great
rolls of paper Carrier pigeons carried OF
such rolls of microscopic letters also, aud
therefore marble pigeons fiutter round he
monument.
The site is in the military zone at Neuil-
" where so much fighting was done, just
beyond the Ternes Gate of the fortifications;
and the story of both site and monument
begins and ends with aeronautics. 1t pc
gins with the old-time defense of Paris by
it's wall of earthworks and the evasion of
the investing Germans by means OF pal
looms. 1t ends with the soon-comlng de-
struction, now, of the wall of Paris, rem
dered obsolete by long-range forts on scat
tered heights, by captive balloons and dirigi-
bles; and by the marking of a notable spot
in the wallis circumference by this balloon
ing monument
Description of Pedestal.
1t is a gigantic pedestal danked by -FOUR
pilons dedicated to the carrier pigeons
From the summit of the pedestal there
towers a big balloon Juggling at its ropes
Beneath beside the basket, majestic fe-
male acknowledgement city of Paris-llfts
an fmploring arm for help to the starving
child on her lap. stern-faced youth
(street-boy of Paris) helplessly brandishes
a sword But 1t is Genius, hutterlng round
the ropes, who points the way.
The idea Is new in the monument line;
but the symbolism is familiar to the Aero
Club. whose medal-which took prize IN
the Salon of 1902-has for subject: Genius
imposing of science the solution of the
aerial locomotive problem. The reverse
shows Fame laying palm branch on an
omen space left for engraving the name
h; hat
progress of aeronautics-or deserving well
of the Aero Club, which amounts to the
same thing.
of aeronautics Ten years ago 1t found
French ballooning in the hands of profess
SIGNALS, of balloon makers whose trained
pilots made 'ascensions" for municipalities
and fete-g giving organizations. Santos Du-
mont in his book, has told of his adven-
lures with these professionals at the begin
ming of his career in 1872 After much
solemn palaver one at last consented to
take him on short trip of calm sunny
morning AS yet Santos had never been
in a balloon.
My honorarium will be $40" added the
professional, and you must sign me con-
tract to hold yourself responsible for all
damage we may do to your life and limbs,
to mine. to third parties, the property of
third parties and to the balloon and its
accessories.
He saw others. ''All took the same atti-
tude. Even in view of the great prices
they proposed. they did not urge me to close
with them" says Santos. obviously their
tendency was to keep haliooning TO them
selves as a kind of trade mystery"
He is only just when he adds: This con-
dition has changed since the founding of
the Paris Aero Club. The wealthy anna
teurs who compose its membership have
absorbed the professionals and now control
the aeronautics of all Paris. If today on
landing in the capital you wish to sail above
1T in big balloon, you have only to sig
nifty your wish at 81 Rue du Faubourg, st.
Honore, and have $40 bill ready.
Cost of an Ascension.
For members 1t is done as low as $12 per
passenger, by a decision of the committee
of March 2. 1905 which devotes the Aero
Club No. 81 to this educational reduced
rate" OF course, club pilot runs the bal
loon. For outsiders probably $40 would be
a maximum for a short ascension. The
Aero Club No. 81 Il $50 cubic YARDS natu-
rally costs more to fill than the little mo.
(which was built to permit beginners
trying for their pilots certificates to famil-
lariZe themselves with aerostatic maneu-
verS: but 1t may be rented to members who
can justify two ascents for the price of IS.
To rent and conduct others of the clubs
numerous balloons one must hold pilot
certificate and pay $40 when the balloon
is brought back within three days Sand
costs twenty cents tax and twenty cents
per 500 cubic yards Of gas or fraction there