The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-16
AERIAL TRESPASS LAWS.
California May he n First to HASo
Them in city Ordinance FERN.

From the Los Angeles Times.
The City Attorneys ofice is engaged IN
a search for aerial jurisprudence because
tho captive balloon at Fiesta Park. sfter
the manner of all balloons, veers with the
wind over divers and sundry lands n
lots owned by park neighbors. They OBJ
ject to sand ballast On the ground that 1t
is a nuisance. They also protest agatnst
il on their roofs. The manager OF tho
Aero Club of California believes tho time
has come for regulating trahhc between
earth and heaven.
To define tho rights of balloons and aif-
ships n to protect aerial navigation.
property owners and citizens from possible
dangers is the purpose Of a proposed ordi-
nance which the club is preparing for pro
sentation to the City Council. 1t will prob
ably be the first in the world.
The subject was brought to the attention
Of the City Attorney yesterday afternoon
and referred by him to Assistant Wilson.
A conference was held between Wilson and
the Aero Club management and II wa
agreed that it is not untimeiy to have such
an ordinance framed and presented for
passa &c. Wilson suggested that members
Of the club formulate articles and then
hold another conference with him. {.
The Aero Club members contend that
the time is near when aerial craft will be
common ia southern California and that
some provision must be made for their
legal operation. Already Knabenshue has
flown all over the city In his diriRible:
others airships are about to be constructed:
a number of flights have been made with
the balloons American and United States:
several Aging machines OF the heavier
than air" variety have been completed
aud await success 10 insure local use; many
els OF other machines have been made
and several are under process Of construc.
ton. With all this going on the aero people
believe that aerial navigation in southern
California will be extensive very o &,
Il believe that the court ruling giving
property owners rights far In the air above
their land can be knocked out the FIRST
time a Diet effort Ia made, n that
will come right soon II aerial navigation II
interfered with" said Prof. Il. La v.
Twinlng. secretary OF the Aero Club and
instructor at Polytechnic High School.
II such a law holds 1t would create chaos
In a few years, and all sorts OF actions
could be brought. Even now our lnstru.
ments at Polytechnic are intsrfered With
BY the wireless waves. but We do not Inc
tend TO interfere with the march OF progress.
and I do not believe ar effort will be made
to interfere with bailoonins. tfor aerial
n NAVIGATION is the science OF tho future,
and we have to make provision for It.
[ believe litigation would determine, that
the air lie a public highway. for the use Of
the property owner so far As he needs II.
but no further.
The Aero Club wants to make provisions
requiring all balloonists to have pc<mits.
either from the Aero Club or the city
~oficials. a. q protection against unsfnled
aeronauts; that sand takan up In . balloon
he OF q certain quality and siftod: Tat
certain limitations be made regarding
captive balloons: that airships and fyinE
machines be required to keep away fr~A;
buildings and wires except where lAndinG
places are provided. &c. q