Bisbee daily review., 1907-10-15
URGES BALLOONS
 FOR UNITED STATES

NEW YORK. Oct. I4.-That the gov ernment and the people of the United States are tagging far behind the Eu- ropean countries in the matter tof aer- ial navigation is the opinion of Major Henry B. Hersey, chief inspector of the government meteorological ser vice, or weather bureau, as it is more commonly known, who returned to New York yesterday after a year in Spitzbergen, where he has been as sisting Walter Wellman in his effort to reach the north pole with an air ship.
 Major Hersey left today for Wash ington to obtain consent from the gov ernment to take part in the Interna- tional Aernonautic cup race from St. Louis October 21.
 ITO those who are familiar with what is being done in Europe" he said. it is surprising that the United States does not organize an aeronautic department for it's military service. All the European powers either have strong fleets of war balloons or are preparing to build them, and we cet- tainly cannot afford to neglect the matter much longer.
 War Balloon Scarss London.
 France and Germany are both put ting into service strong fleets of bal looms, and now I notice that England comes to the front with one of the best equipped dirigibles yet built. When it is demonstrated that this bai- loon can circle about over London and frighten people as it did last Saturday, there ought not to be much douor what it could do swinging around over a fleet or a fort.
 From an economical point of view, every government should have it's equipment of war balloons, just as much as it should have a navy. The balloons would cost aboGt S75,000 each, while a battleship costs $3,000,- 900, or s4,000,000. In case Of war, fleet of five or six good balloons, may be half a dozen, and 1t is easy to see what that would mean to our govern ment. Suppose that all of the balloons were lost during the action or after they had done their work, 1t would be a much smaller sacrifice than losing half a dozen big shipss and, as for the practicability of these air fighters, there is no longer any question about it.
 Other nations are making surpris- ing progress, and are watching aero nautic development very closely. For instance, all the time we have been at work in Spitzbrgen, Germany has had two officers there from the general staff of the army keeping close tabs on all we did It was interesting and important to them because we were building an airship larger than any thing before undertaken, and they were eager to know how it would per form. Our balloon was constructed to carry nearly ten tons dead weight, and. that meant great deal to any government interested in building war balloons.
 At the international races at St. Louis the German government will be represented by Captain Hilderbrandt. who is already on the ground to see uzhat ia -dnne- -Aarnnantic enninment has become as necessary part of our military system as the torpedo. boat or the cavalry, and l believe that this fact is soon to be recognized"
 Reaching Pole With Balloon.
 Major Hersey came directly from Spitzbergen, leaving there September 2, and bringing to this country the first authentic account of what the Wellman airship did and failed to do. While firm in the faith that the pole will soon be reached by aerial route, he said that relatively little was ac- complished by series of serious con ditions Speaking of Wellman's at tempt, he said:
 Whether Wellman will go on with his efforts next season, I do not know, but there is no doubt that somebody will do jt, and eventually get 10 the pole. am satisfied that the thing is altogether feasible. The distance from Spitzbergen to the pole is only GOO miles, and with a good wind from the south the voyage should be made in two days without using the propeE Ter, except to keep a straight course.
 -Once the pole is reached, it makes little difference which way the wind blows; it will carry the balloon back toward civilization. At the pole it is practically certain we shall find Ice packs; also that landing there will be possible if necessary. Of course we were able to take our balloon boats, sleds, dogs and everything necessary for almost any emergency to foresee- It is now simply a matter of perfect ing the airship and starting when the wind is right"
 Concerning aerial navigation gener- ally. Major Hersey said he did not expect to see it developed to any con siderable use commercially.
 But" said he, it Is bound to be an important factor sn future warfare s ~.r.~...gov-