The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-04-07
BALLOON
Ascensions Planned For
Salem, and People Are
Enthusiastic
CANTON MAY LOSE OUT

The plans to secure a series OF bal
loon ascensions In Salem during the
coming summer are gradually taking
shape, and the response given by lc-
cal business men to the offer has been
encouraging. The preliminary ar
rangements have been made and will
be closed provided the financial aid
| necessary to secure the ascensions is
secured. Contingent upon this, plans
have been worked out which provide
for about ten ascensions.
The first ascension OF the series will
occur here on May 2, II no unforeseen
circumstance arises to prevent It,
Such was the conclusion reached by
the Canton Aero club on Saturday,
when the energetic action OF the local
business men TO secure the Aero club
was made known in Canton.
The first ascension may take the
form OF an inter-city balloon race be-
tween Canton and Salem. It is pro
posed to secure the services OF Leo
ID. Stevens, one of the most promi-
nent balloonists OF the United states,
to pilot a balloon representing Salem,
and TO have DIR. H. w. Thompson OF
this city accompany him as a repre-
sentative of Salem. For Canton an
other pilot would have TO be secured
and the balloon belonging to the Aero
club used. The ascensions would be-
gin simultaneously In Salem.
The action which led to the at
tempt to secure a series of ascensions
was taken at a meeting OF the Bust.
ness association on last Thursday
night. There was a unanimous feel-
ing among the business men present
that such ascensions would be most
attractive features, and would bring
people from the whole surrounding
region OF Salem. II was believed that
each ascension would be equal to
Fourth OF July celebration In point of
interest and attendance. II was there
fore unanimously decided 10 appoint
a committee 20 raise $500 In order 60
secure ten ascenslons. This commit.
tee is actively at work.
Each ascension costs about 800. |
To raise the remaining $500 neces.
sary to secure ten ascensions two pas |
sengers will be secured at each as.
cension. who will be charged s25 each |
for the trip. There will be no DIN.
Guilty in finding all the passengers
that can be accommodated, as there |
Is already a large waiting list among |
the members OF the Aero club who de-
sire TO make an ascension.
These ascensions are not to be con-
oon ascensions, with parachute drop.
which occur at county fairs Such
are capable OF carrying only
/ small weight and OF travelling but
4 short distance. The balloon 10 be
ised here In the event that all ar.
'angements are perfected Is regu-
alton gas balloon, provided with n
basket and capable OF carrying two
passengers and a pilot. A balloon OF
his kind Is capable OF going a great
distance. The German balloon Pom
nern Travelled from ST. Louis TO the
atlantic coast In the races last fa.l.
The balloon now in possession OF the
zero club has made several long trips.
There will be no dniculty In secur-
ng an available lot In Salem for inha-
ion purposes. An important factor
a ascenslons In the pressure and spe-
no gravity OF the gas. Artificial coal
,as is required. and the pressure must
10 SUFFICIENT to fll the balloon in rea-
enable time. as the gas bag holds
bout $4,000 cubic feet.
Developments have occurred which