Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-20
MUELLER WILL
ASCEND AGAIN
BALLOONIST PROPOSES TO
TEST CURRENTS
Voyage Will Be Purely Experimental,
and Aeronaut Expects to Attain
an Altitude of $4,000
Feet

Capt. Augusta E. Mueller. the aero
naut who endeavored to take the ball
loon American eastward last Sunday,
believes that he did not have fair
opportunity In order to prevent dis
appointment to the crowd he assembled
after 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, when
it was certain that everything was
against obtaining an eastward current
before the next morning.
Capt. Mueller has received assur-
ances of financial support from busi-
ness men which warrant him in MAX
ing a test of the air currents above Los
Angeles, and he will do this next sun
day afternoon, ascending from the
Chutes park ball grounds to height
of three or four miles, if necessary.
He will carry government instruments
with him and will record the currents
at varying attitudes, not being salts
fed until he finds, as he is convinced
he will find, current that will take
a balloon over the mountains.
Once over the mountains Capt. Muel-
Ter feels that a record-breaxing trip is
assured, even at this, the most I'M
favorable time of the year for aerial
navigation.
line ascent 0unudg Will De purely
experimental and preliminary to rec
ord-seeking voyage which Capt. Muel-
Ter proposes to make later, in case he
finds the currents he is looking for.
No admission fee will be charged Sun
day. and it is planned to make the
ascent about 2 o'clock. If the gas
proves buoyant enough to carry an
other person an assistant will be taken
along; If not, Capt. Mueller will go up
unaided. No supplies will be taken,
as Mueller will come to earth as soon
as he demonstrates to his satisfaction
that the desirable currents are at hand
He expects to make an altitude OF
] $4,000 feet.
Weather Conditions Bad
This is the most difficult time of the
year to find favorable currents for an
eastward flight" said w. d. Fuller of
the weather observers office yesterday.
From April to September conditions
are more likely to be constant for east
| erly currents, but the present is the
most discouraging time"
Capt. Mueller realizes this, but be-
lieves that any records obtained on air
| currents at this time will only be the
more valuable comparatively for any
other time of the year. He proposes to
make a thorough chart of the air above
Los Angeles.
Dick Ferris has promised to donate
for Capt. Mueller's use either balloon he
may select. The other expenses of the
experimental trip will be borne by
Cant. Mueller personally. If he finds
that there is little chance of making
his way eastward he will not call ON
the business men who have offered to
finance him in another attempt to bring
the worlds endurance record to Los
Angeles. He has not been assured
enough backing to cover the expenses
of the Journey. but believes if he DEM
onstrates 1t to be practicable he will
have enough offers of support to war
rant the voyage.
Capt. Wild will return to his home
in Chicago today. He is disappointed,
but still enthusiastic over the possible
ties of a transcontinental balloon trip
from Los Angeles. and says he will
come back to undertake it next year,
probably in the spring.