The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-18
Prof. A. Lawrence ROtch Makes
Some Predictions
Regarding the Balloon Race at
st. Louis Next Week.
NORTHEAST ROUTE.
May BE Expected Owing to
Direction of Wind.
Contest Probably Will Not Last
Over "a Hours.

AAAoSS'-p WI. 4OA. Lao
renee Rotch, the wealthy scientist and
aeronaut, who is the director of the
Blue Hill observatory, will participate
in the international balloon contest at
st. Louis. He makes some interesting
scientific predictions as to the results
of the great fight.
I'VE know so much concerning at
mospheric conditions he said, that 7
think I am safe in making a prediction
concerning the races. The balloons will
be sent up on the afternoon of October
q, probably about o'clock, as the gas
will not be heated until that time. AS
Stunning that there will be a southwest
wind, the balloons will 60 in an opposite
direction at the rate of ten miles an
hour. At the end of the first hour the
balloons will be approximately 5000 feet
from the ground, and will be going at
the rate of twenty-five miles an hour
What length of time will the bal
looms be in fight?''
Up Twenty-four Hours.
Il predict that they will not remain
in the air for more than twenty-four
hours"
What do you think will be the out
come of the race?''
1T is impossible to tell. Balloon rae
ing is not SO scientific as some other
forms of sport for the element of chance
enters, in the condition of the winds A
balloon in the air is like a cork in the
water. The art of managing a balloon
consists in knowing how to make use
of the various winds, how to keep it in
the position desired and when to let
out the drag rope. This rope offers an
amount of resistance and regulates
speed. The higher one ascends the
greater the velocity. This, too, has to
he regulated
"Will the time the balloons stay in the
air mean anything in the coming racer"
Nothing whatever, unless time also
means speed. The race is for distance
and that alone. People often think that
something to do with winning, but dis
lance measured in a straight line from
point of starting to the finish deter
mines the winner.
"a balloontst can ordinarily stay up
as long as he wants to, and generally
he wants to remain up as long as pos
sible unless the wind begins to drive
him back over his course. Then he
makes quick descent.
American balloon races are even
contests continued Prof. Rotch.
1.-THE Germans have handicap races,
the distance of the handicap being
regulated by the gas capacity. In our
country think the only regulation
that must be adhered to is the gas
of the balloons. One can rig.
d
Germans Use Rip cord.
There is very little difference in
the balloons made in various coun-
tries, and little difference in the man.
ner in which men of different nation
alities guide them. In one respect the
German made balloon differs from the
or French make. The Ger
mans use what is known as the rip
cord and their balloons have rip
bands. These are used when a very
quick descent is desired. The rip cord
is not favored by the French or our
own people, who prefer to make use
of the escape valve. All the balloons
used in the coming races are spheri-
CALI
"Is the popular notion that bal
looming is exceedingly dangerous cor
rect?''
THE great element of danger de-
pends on the location of the ascen-
sion," said the professor. Races in
Berlin, for instance, are dangerous be-
cause there is chance of being blown
put over the Baltic. Generally speak
ing there is an element of danger due
to the necessity of at times making a
night landing. Other than these do
not think there are many dangers.
Last year should have gone up in the
German balloon races had it not been
FOR the fact that I had to catch a
homeward bound steamer
As meteorological expert Prof
Rotch is known all over the world.
His scientific papers en- air currents
have received wide recognition. He
has been decorated by the kaiser. AL 1
though he has never participated in a
balloon race he has made five ascen-
sions.