Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-22

q number of precursors in Europe, where the science of aerial navigation has for many years received careful study.
 When the Aero club of America or. ganized Its first exposition, in Janu. ary. 1906. balloons were imported from Paris. and the public was given the opportunity of seeing what they were like. Photographs of balloon as. tensions were displayed and an ef. fort was made to arouse a popular in terest in the sport as it is practiced abroad.
 This show was followed by a num- Der of actual ascents from different places in the eastern states. and thus people in one section of this country at least were given an opportunity to become familiar with aerial naviga- tion in its simplest and safest form.
 The home of the Aero club, the city of New York. is unfavorably situated as ballooning center. The ocean, the one peril of the aeronauts, Is close at hand. and only with wind from a southerly direction is an ascent to be made with perfect safety. The gas question is also an important factor, and the Aero club has found at Pitts. field, Mass, a station combining the features--distanc from the sea and an abundant supply of coal gas. The great drawback is its distance from New York and other centers of popu. lation.
 1The Aero club has acquired two balloons. one of them. the Centaur, having made the record balloon jour. ney from Paris to Russia in 1900. | These aerostats are available for ascensions by members and 1t Is hoped that before long the club will be able to acquire new balloons.
 It should be the province of the Aero Club of America to encourage all attempts at solution of the flying problems. and it should investigate and report upon every invention or l contrivance which seems to have a reasonable chance of success. A tech nical committee composed of experts and scientists. in whose names and regulations the public will have con fidence. will be appointed. This com mittee will be authorized to solicit and receive subscriptions. to be spent jul diciously and when there is a good chance for profitable return. Onl, by lavish expenditure of money and my continued experiments can sue cess in flying be achieved. In France all that has been accomplished 1t this direction has been largely done by the generosity of few patrons o aeronautics. The most successful steerable balloons now owned by thu French government are due to tn, Lebaudys. who spent large sums O money in experiments and whos' wealth made possible their construc ton. The rich prizes offered by NJ Deutsch de la Muerthe stimulated San tos- -Dumont to achieve his notab!' flight around the Eifel tower. Nj Deutsch has built at his own ex pense a large airship which recent, maneuyered near Paris and he has oi fered prizes of great value for aero planes.
 | Is there not in all this land of swol len fortunes some one who will one a prize of sufficient size to rewar, the inventor and repay him for all th' years he has to spend in unsuccessful effort? To England belongs the credi of having invented the steam rail road engine; to France belongs th' honor of producing the automobile Shall the United States of America al low themselves to be left behind il the race to bring forth flying ma chine that will fly. and thus confer on of the greatest benefits on mankind? |