Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-29
NATIONAL AERO CLUB
STEPS TAKEN TO FORM A NEW
ORGANIZATION.

As the time approaches for the army
tests Of dirigible balloons and heavier
than-air machines at Fort Myer. each day
gives further evidence Of the universal
interest being taken in the problem of
aerial navigation. Where skepticism pre-
vailed when Prof. s. P. Langley was con-
Quoting his experiments on the Potomac
cal demonstration Of aerial flight has
worked up large measure Of expectancy
In the public mind
The initial steps In the formation of a
society. national in scope, for the ad-
vancement of the science of aerial nayi-
CATION were taken In Washington by q
group of leading scientists. The new or
ganiZation, which ia to he known as the
National Aeronautical Society," will be
me hrSt of its kind in America although
there are nearly thirty aero clubs en-
gagged in working up public interest in
aeredynamics by exploiting the practical
advancement that already has been made
The National Aeronautical Society. like
the British Aeronautical Society, of which
Gen. Baden-Powell Is the head will he
devoted to facilitating the work OF scien-
us,s engaged in research and experiment
tatlon In aerodynamics.
Preliminary Steps.
The preliminary steps for the organiza
ton of the new society were taken at an
informal meeting of men active in aero
nautics. Those present were Prof. Alher.
, Lahm OF the Catholic University of Amer
Ica. Dr d. g. Fairchild. Augustus Pos.
secretary of the Aero Club of America
Willis Moore. chief Of the weather b,,-
reau. Maj. Squiers. Capt Wallace and
Lieut.. Frank P. Lahm OF the Signal
Prominent aeronauts and scientists from,
every section of the country will be here
when the Fort Myer tests begin. and II is
proposed TO complete the organization Of
In. . new society at that time. In the
meantime committee composed of Oc-
fave Chanute. the contemporary of Prof
Langley: Prof Albert Zahm and Angus
tus Post will endeavor to have the an
, nuai aero congress held in Washington
this autumn This may result in a com
petition flight Of the Wright brothers
Henri Farman and A. NJ Herring I'm
their aeroplanes.
Mr. Curtis Here.
G. H. Curtis member OF the Ae,io,
Experiment Association. arrived at Fort
Myer late yesterday. Mr. Curtis built
the new four-cylinder. twenty-fve-horse
power. water-cooled vertical engine
which will send Capt. Baldwin's dirig1ble
through the air. Mr.. Curtis will operate
Ine motor during the Fort Myer tests.
while Capt Baldwin VIII pilot the aerial
craft. The motor is in the forward end
OF the seven;y-foot frame which is sls-
pended from the gas bag. while the plat
FORM from which Capt. Baldwin will d.
rect his airshtp is at the stern of the
machine.
To secure proper balance for the air.
snip II will be suspended from the roof of
the hanger or balloon house at Fort Myer
ana the various parts then placed upon
the frame so that the balloon will balance
properly. The entire ship is assembled
and the hydrogen gas plant set up. but 1t
-s not likely that everything will be in
readiness for the flight before Saturday.
Another Zeppelin Flight.
Special Cablegram to The Star
BERLIN. July 29.-Count Zeppelin an
nounces that the next twenty-four-hour
flight he will take with his dirg.ble bal
loon will be August ).