The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-22
WEATHER CLERK IS FIXED"
Promises Right Kind of Wind for
TO-day's Balloon Ascension.
america" One of the Largest Gas
Bags in the World. TO Make
Maiden Trip mt II o'clock.

All arrangements for the balloon ascen-
sion to-day have been completed. and the
result. which direction the aeronauts will
go and where they wiz land, remains with
the weather man who has charge OF the
wind He has promised the right kind
Of wind. America. the largest racing
balloon I'm the United States. viii be
filed at the gas works, Twelfth and n
streets southeast, this morning, and at
II O'Clock il viii soar in the air. higher
and higher. with two experts in the bas-
ket
Several enthusiasts and professionals
arrived in Washington last night to at
tend the ascension. Colgate Hoyt. presi-
dent of the Automobile Club Of America
is among those who viii witness the per-
Torrance. Others here are Cortland Field
Rishop. president Of the Aero Club Of
America: Augustus Post, Leo Stevens
Alan r. Hawiey. and j. c. Mccoy all OF
New York
The America is owned by Mr.. Mccoy
The siken canvas holds $1,000 cubic feet
of gas. Mr.. Mccoy and Mr., Hawley will
make the ascension. Possibly another
member will join them in the basket.
The ascension to-day viii be the maiden
trip of the America. Washington's Birth
dav will mark the birthday of the enOT-
nous canvas bag, one Of the largest in
the world. It is capable of carrying sew
eral passengers, but as yet it has not
been decided whether any others will
accompany the two cup defenders or not
a main has been arranged at the works
and gas has been manufactured especially
1..5ff -lr of Inc
the gigantic silk bag VIII begin early this
morning. and. the weather permitting. the
balloon VIII arise from earth, slowly but
surely promptly at II o'clock.
Capt. &. d. +. Chandler. I. s. a, "A
member Of the Aero Club. has charge Of
the arrangements here. The government
officials are much interested in the ascen-
sion and many of them will be present.
Il is said Secretary Of War Taft has
promised TO witness the rise Of the aero
nauts and their racing balloon. Gen.
Allen. chief of the Signal Office, will at
tend, as will others Of the same depart
ment
One of the purposes Of the ascension Is
% demonstrate the practicability of bal
looming for purposes of national defense
in connection with the army and navy
and particularly the protection of points
tary and Naval Affairs committees Of
both Houses of Congress have been in
vited to witness the exhibition.
In case the wind is from the east to-
morrow an exceptional opportunity Will
be afforded the people OF Washington to
witness a fine exhibition of baliooning
Should the breezes happen to be blowing
from the opposite direction. however, Il
viii be & different matter. as the balloon
would be taken out over Chesapeake
Bay. But the weather man and his as
sistant who has charge Of the wind, the
breezes, and the zephyrs promise that
everything has been fixed and that the
big ascension will come off promptly and
with satisfactory results to all concerned.
Mr. Mccoy is one OF the best known
aeronauS in the world. The others are
also vs. known Ia the aero world.