Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-22
the submarine, conceived in the fanci-
full brain Of Jules Verne.
Airshins Soon For ALL

AirshIpS soon For All.
Seeing that the leading nations Of the
world have entered into rivalry to solve
the question, and that positive and
convincing proofs of achievement are
daily recorded from all sections, 1t Is
no wonder that the United States OF
America has stepped to the front, with
determination to win the lead. And
New England, the cherished seat OF
science and of learning, should be the
first to issue some such notice as:
From Boston to any point, regardless
OF wind or weather, at the uniform
rate of fifty miles per hour, with ad-
vantages even over the road Of anthra-
cite"
Lack of money, has been the great
hindrance. 1t takes money and lots OF
it to experiment, and experimenters
have no time to make money. But un-
til the man Of money has positive
proof that there Is something in it.
mere theory will not lure forth his cap
ital. While balloons could only "go,'
with no positive return" and did not
appeal to the man of dollars and of
sense. Now that the "open sesame" or
proof" has been given, the purse
strings are loosened and inventors, al
ways longing to pry apart the worlds
secrets with their wits, but unable to
put ideas into practice without means,
are stirred by enthusiasm, and still fur
ther stimulated by competition.
The Wrights were right, and our
government is right, to keep the knowl-
edge gained by experiment secret un-
til absolute success is assured, but
already more is known by the few than
Is dreamed of by the many.
It was not the mere delight Of bal
looming which interested me in the
study of aerial navigation, but its prac-
tical side. What it will mean in time
Of war the simplest mind can grasp,
but, in the time of peace, think Of its
possibilities! So much has been proven
that none will be much older before
seeing its accomplishment. I firmly
believe that most of us will live to come
to think as lightly of it as we now do
Of the telephone. And the man who
worked that modern miracle, DR.. Alex
ander Graham Bell, is not only be-
lever in aerial navigation, but a sue
cessful experimenter along one line Of
thought.
What fear Of failure is there when
by his name we can inscribe such
names as Wright Brothers, Farman,
Della grange, Herring, Ludlow, the late
Yangley and of Beachy, Knabenshue,
Stevens and Baldwin-the last four be-
ing dirigible balloon enthusiasts?
Speaking of dirigible balloons naturally
suggests Zeppelin. HIS latest airship,
built under the auspices of the Ger
man government, is 445 feet long, has
motors aggregating 400 horse power
and carries twelve people. Further, 1t
is equipped with apparatus for wireless
telegraphy.
While the aeroplane will undoubtedly
become practical, though with what
carrying capacity none can say at
present, the dirigible balloon Is likely
to lead more quickly to success. Ul-
timately, there will be as many meth
DDS of air travel as there now are on
the surface, from bicycle to electric
motor engine, from pushcart to flyer.
Mark this, that, differ as they may,
these are all dependent on the wheel.
From the rowboat to the ocean liner,
vessels are dependent on the one prin-
ciple of shape. So with thousand ia
miliar instances. there is abundant
proof that the dominant pr.nciples OF
any of the great everyday Mechanical
aids to mans comfort Is extremely
simple.
One essential reason for the compar-
atively slow progress made in the de-
velopment of the aeroplane Is that, as
with the bicycle, it is, and must be part
of the operator, and it's operation has
to be learned. Though the driving
force be mechanical, it must be guided
by human intelligence. To experiment
with the workable, but primitive aero
plane Of today requires any amount OF
pluck When it has become a realized
fact, every operator will have to learn
how to operate the machine individual
ly. Birds, though built to fly, are
taught by their mothers, and II they
try 1t on their own account invaria-
bly, get tumble.
Honor and thanks are due to the
Aero Club Of America, which took the
initiative, and to such men as Gen.
James A. Allen and Cortland Field
Bishop, who have won the faith Of
men of capital to the absolute certain
ty and therefore money producing pos
sibilities Of aerial navigation.
Benefits of Flying.
The influence exerted by the Aero
Club Of America is new being felt all
over the country. Fratenal clubs are
everywhere There is even the Junior
Aero Club of New York, which Is en-
listing considerable attention, and has
a successful boy flyer, with machine
of his own invention. Arrangements
have been made for holding several i'm
portant conferences between the lead
ing aeronauts at the Hotel Astor, New
York during the coming late summer,
fall and winter months, which can not
fail to be productive Of good results.
The problem is so nearly solved that,
as a close observer and student Of the
subject, and as an associate Of the
leaders of the movement, I confidently
predict that within two years aerial
navigation will be an accomplished
fact. There will then be thousand
minds at work to every one at present,
and notifications and improvements
will soon bring to perfection the first
successes. In war, supreme, almost to
the abolishment of war! In peace, de-
lightful beyond conception!
Inhalation Of the rarified air OF the
upper strata will prove to be one OF
the greatest Of blessings to suffering
humanity. A single ascension rekindles
life. and were a regular course" OF
air trips to be taken I firmly believe
tuberculous diseases would be cured.