The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-04-30
Excellent Two OF Three Passenger
Aerial 6as Bag Can Even Now
Be Bought for About $3.50,
COST OF SHORT DISTANCE
TRIP NOT MORE THAN SIS.
Hsn Thing 10 "SusIsiJ' viii Be Invita-
lions 10 Take a Fly Ia the Alt,


Goldie Banks-"That you, dearie?
Come early this afternoon and we will
balloon a few hours. Gwendolyne and
the others will follow in autos. Supper
at twilight where we land, and then
home in the machines"
There is no doubt about 1t, short
distance ballooning win be the fash
ionable diversion for the smart set"
IN the Berkshires during 1908.
Mrs. Goelet and Mrs. Bishop. who
have made ascensions, are enthusiastic
over the sport, and the -Four Hundred
can hardly wait for good ballooning
weather again. The considerable num-
Der Of orders which have been placed
for balloons, both of American and for
eign make, indicates that good many
ladies Of quality" are to frequent
Oloudland this coming summer
Licensed sky-pilots will be in de-
mand. There may even soon be schools
for them, as for autodrivers. A sky
plot wishing to secure the Aero Clubs
license to tour the Milky Way and 9TH
er heavenly boulevards, must have an
approved record of ten ascensions, in
Guiding one alone and one at night.
VIII be the Vogue,
There is every reason why short
distance ballooning which under Lady
Harbard's leadership has found great
favor abroad among the women Of
fashion, should be as enthusiastically
the vogue in this country among the
merely near-rich as well as among the
billionaires.
1t has many things to commend 1t,
among them, as compared with auto
MODELLING, safety, inexpensiyeness, the
charm Of exploration, Testfulness and
aloOfness from the more sordid atmos-
phere Of the world. The balloon face"
80 familiar abroad, is said to be one
Of rapturous passivity, a sort Of Chris
tian science ecstacy In repose, and Of
pleasing contrast with the bewrihkled
devil-car face.
An excellent two or three passenger
balloon can be bought for $3.50 and,
after its equipment with the essential
instruments Of various kinds the total
first cost is materially less than that
Of modest touring auto-car. and
microscopic as compared with that of
a yacht The chief expenses Of main
tenance are gas-which for a balloon
OF this size is about $50 for a days
trip-and freight or express charges
on the balloon from landing place to
starting station. There are also TO be
considered the expenses Of the passen-
gers after landing, such as possible
hotel bills and railroad fares, though
usually the automobile is used as an
adjunct to the balloon, and the flying
air-party is met by machines which
have followed with provisions to take
It home The railroad charges on the
balloon will soon be eliminated by the
completion of auto trucks built espe-
cially for balloon carriage.
The sky-pilot's wages have not yet
attained a quotable status, as most Of
the profession are owners, many Of
whom are glad, in the interests OF the
sport, to include any desirable persons
OF lofty ambitions who volunteer to
pay the expenses Of a trip.
Alan R. Hawley, a stOckbroker, Of
No 20 Broad street, who is one Of the
most Unsuitable and successful balloon
lists In this country, estimates the
necessary expenses OF a short distance
trip at about $76,
The Aero Club, whose headquarters
are at No. - East Forty-second street,
IS formulating plans for minimizing the
expense. Pittsheld, Mass, has thus far
proved to be the most nearly ideal
place for short-distance flying. The
best and cheapest gas is to be had
there; the plateau-crested hills make
the finest OF balloon ''teeing grounds"
and the proximity TO Lenox, Stock
bridge and other resorts. Of the wealthy
is feature not to be overlooked. The
distance from large bodies Of water
and the varied typographical condi-
lions within the short-trip zone leave
little to be desired in the way Of land
Ing places
Good roads In every direction expe-
dite the automobile sections Of the par
lies. and the great number OF good no.
tells and inns assure all the comforts
OF home" to those who conclude their
DAYS highfying with some night trail
ing" which IS one of the most pleas
urahle features Of ballooning
mailing which consists, as It's
name implies, in sailing above the
Ground ihst the distance Of a weighted
line OF trailer. is Of course possible on
iy 10 open country. and Is safest when
there Is moonlight