The San Francisco call., 1908-08-17
BFRRY'S DIRICIBLF
BALLOON ASUCCESS
Enthusiastic After a Trip From
st. Louis to Troy,
Illinois
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

DlSBAICH 10 THE CALL =
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 16.-John Berry, an
owner, and H. E. HanneweII, pilot re-
turned tonight enthusiastic over their
trip from here to Troy, ILL.,, 81 miles,
starting at 1905 this morning and
landing at 1870 this afternoon in Ber-
rvs new dirigible balloon, to test an
attachment of two propellers prior to
racing for the Lahm cup with the in
vention. They reported the trip was
cut short today on account of the ex-
treme heat; that the apparatus proved
practical, but that the hand power was
insufficient to drive the balloon prop
erly. The landing was made easily
without mishap.
/. When all was ready Berry insisted
upon mounting his dirigible apparatus
in one corner of the car. With this
mechanism of spur, gears and double
propellers so arranged as to be equal
izing it was hoped that the balloon
might be propelled at slow rate of
speed in any direction desired. It was
part of the mechanism designed by
Berry for spherical balloons which in
cludes other propellers designed to
effect a vertical motion in either direc-
tion as well as the lateral motion The
part carried was manipulated by hand
The balloon rose about 1000 feet with
out moving rapidly on its course of
northeast by east. HanneweIl said the
air was quite still. Ten minutes after
the ascension the balloon began de-
scending until it reached 1000 feet
above ground.
GROWING COMPETITION
LONDON, Aug. 1.-THE British gov
ernment. according to the Daily Tele-
graph, contemplates raising a large
loan in view of the growing naval com
petition abroad. 1t is stated that finan-
ciers of the highest standing have un-
dertaken to find 100000, 900 on nominal
terms to meet the necessities of the
fleet for the next few years without
disorganizing the annual budgets or
casting a heavy burden upon the pres
ent generation.
If such plan is attempted it will
be because 1t is impossible to forecast
the future requirements of the navy un-
til general ship building program has
crystaliZed and the setting aside Of
this fund would be a declaration trans
lated into terms of cash, of the coun-
try's intention to maintain a two power
standard at all costs.
WILL PASS ON BALDwIN'S BALLOON
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16.-Tomorrow
morning the board of signal corps off,
GERS who have been conducting the air
ship tests at Fort Myer will pass final
ly upon the Baldwin motor balloon.
which fulfilled the endurance require
ment in yesterdays fight of two hours
duration. Orville Wright is expected
to arrive Tuesday with his aeropiane.
1t is expected that one or two prelimi-
nary flights will be made during the
week. The Wright brothers contract
with the government is for a heavier
than air flying machine.
For a speed of 40 miles an hour.
twice that required of the dirigible
the Wright brothers will receive s25.
600. A 10 per cent bonus will be paid
for each additional mile while the ma
chine will be rejected If the maximum
speed is less than SO miles
Orviile Wright will fly the machine
in the official trials at Fort Myer.
Today Captain Baldwin worked on
two spherical balloons which he built
for the signal corps. but which have
not been accepted. One is a captive
balloon, having a>capacity of $40 cubic
meters, while the other is free bal
loon OF 1900 cubic meters.