Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-23
AUTOS AND BALLOONS
AERONAUTS WERE ASSAILED BY
HEAT ABOVE CLOUDS.

A dispatch from Pittsfield says: Into
sky as golden as the foliage that crested
the Berkshire hills, two balloons raised
from the Aero Club Park here today. Be-
meath them sped three automobiles. intent
On making a flgurative capture when the
a1rsh1ps should come to earth. The chase
stretched through nearly a hundred miles
Of air, and over a like distance Of rugged
road. 1t concluded with one Of the bal
loonists glad to breathe earth air after
gasping in a temperature ITO above the
clouds.
1t was the successful launching of the
event originally planned for last Saturday
when rain and low-sweeping clouds spoiled
a contest on which society in Lenox Hills
had counted for a fete day. Conditions
were propitious in every respect yes
balloon in this country, and rOrient, an
importation of silken feetness, filled their
lungs for the long flight.
Uncle Sam took occasion to observe
what would happen. in case of war ma
neuvers, should auto meet balloon in pur-
suit Observations were made by Major
A., and Capt. Charles De Forrest Chandler
Of the Signal Corps, U. s. A. They were
passengers in the Centaur, piloted by
Charles J. Walsh. L'Orient was guided by
Aeronaut Leo Stevens, with Capt. Homer
w Hedge, president of the Aero Club, in
the basket.
Autos Stripped for Race.
The feed pipes from the gas tanks were
opened before daylight, and by that time
a thousand spectators had gathered in the
park, the two silken bags were lashing in
their nets with the buoyant life of nearly
$4,000 cubic feet of gas. Although the sill
yer cup offered on Saturday by Alan Haw-
ley was again offered as prize, interest
in the contest was at fever heat. Automo-
biles came out of the hill homes like Looping
hounds and gathered around the balloons.
Attention was centered on a forty horse
power Berkshire car. stripped to its lightest
weight, and with Floyd knight at the
wheel. Nearby was the forty-horse power
Panhard of Cortlandt Field Bishop, and a
bald. These were the three machines which
were to defend the prowess of the auto
mobile
At 10 o'clock a light breeze held out of
Pittsfield policemen detailed to the park
had their hands full in keeping the crowds
clear of the balloons. In the basket of the
Centaur was placed big map drawn by
around Pittsfield for radius Of 100 miles.
It was blocked off in squares, on which
Major Reber could record by means of bar
ometer and thermometer the location and
rise and fall of the Centaur Food, spring
water and stimulants were placed In the
baskets Of both cars and at the last mo-
ment the stars and stripes were set on the
Centaur. A score of men who had 1t in re-
strafnt caught the signal for release. A
moment after it's upward leap Aeronaut
Walsh shouted for assistance. cry Of
alarm went up from the crowd as hun
dred men rushed forward and chung to the
drag rope. Walsh had observed at the start
that too much ballast was aboard the Cen
taur, and while the volunteers restrained
his craft he lightened her. Again she lifted
swiftly and half a minute later L'Orient
was released.
Balloons Off, Pursuit Begins.
The latter swept toward the Centaur,
and collision appeared imminent. To-
gether. they barely escaped the top
branches of tree at the edge of the
park. and set course directly over Pitts
field. Chauffeur Knight was first to set
forth in pursuit. and automobiles and pedes-
TRANS scurried out of his path. Archibald
was close behind, and Cortlandt Field
Bishop shouted to State Highway Commits
sioner Manning and Superintendent Butler
Panhard. The three autos gave tongue
with their horns and sped beneath the ris-
ing balloons.
The fire bells of Pittsfleld sounded as
the chase swept through the town, summon
ing citizens to the streets and to house
tops. 1t was only when q line was taken
on the rushing autos that the speed of the
balloons was appreciated. Once they en-
and were soon seeking cover In the clouds
over Potter mountain. At this stage of the
pursuit the general trend was westerly.
On leaving the park and while within sight
of the excited spectators Major Reber
could be seen working over his map like
q sheet-writer recording bets on big handi-
cap.
Arrangements have been made to send
bulletins to the headquarters Of the Aero
Club at the Hotel Wendell, where Proprie-
tor Luke ]. Minahan, recently elected
member OF the club, announced them to
the crowd. The bulletins came from tele-
phone stations near Pittsfield. which had
been instructed to be on the lookout.
Knight, "A his racing car, had taken the
lead over the Potter mountain. He said
later that the Centaur entered the clouds
over the mountain and was lost to view.
But he had noted its direction, and sent his
machine toward the New York state line