Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-13
SAYSLOSANGELES
WOULD BE EASY
POINT OF ATTACK
AER0NAUTS DISCUSS STRAIT
TEGlC MILITARY PROBLEMS
PLEA MADE FOR INCREASE IN
NATIONAL GUARD
Professor loves New AiFship, Which
viii Be Flying Hotel, Is De-
scrlbed at Length by
Inventor


might be held by an invading party in
time of war to deprive Los Angeles of
water and electric light and power
was asserted by Captain II. W. Slot
terbeck of the signal corps at the
Simpson auditorium aeronautical meet
ing last night. Captain Slotterbeck
made a strong plea for increase of the
National Guard in Southern California,
consistent with the growth in popula-
tion and financial power.
The meeting was held 10 initiate a
movement for the establishment of a
permanent aeronautical experiment
station near Los Angeles, and devel-
oped into an enthusiastic ovation for
Prof. T. S. c. Lowe, whose work in
the civil work as chief of the military
balloon observations was illustrated
and explained. Prof Lowe was com
PEELED to arise and bow for several
minutes at the close of the meeting in
answer to the applause, and later held
q reception.
w. A. Spalding told of the great
results obtained by Prof. Lowe. He
quoted Gen. Stoneman, afterWard
prominent resident of Los Angeles and
governor of California, as saying that
one ascension which he made in COM
pany with Prof. Lowe allowed OBJ
servations worth easily $1,000000 to
the United States. government.
Describes New Alrshlp
William II. Knight described the new
type Of airship which Prof. Lowe pro-
poses to build and which was illus
trated by stereopticon views Captain
Slotterbeck told of the practical work
being carried out by the aeronautica
squad of the signal corps and the
squads system of aerial records.
I'VE have found" he said, "a neces-
sity for much pioneer work in stan
dardizing our aeronautical records. and
as the time devoted to the National
guard must be taken mainly outside
Of regular avocation the aeronautical
squad can take up only small part
of the work at one time. We have
succeeded in devising a system of
aerial charts and maps for balloon
work which gives a fairly complete
record as to currents and conditions
prevailing. This has SO far pro-
gressed that the balloon courses taken
on military ascensions conducted by
the squad in September and october
last were accurately predicted in ad-
vance by one of the squads pilots.
Much OF the information we gather
must necessarily be held as confiden-
tial through its military Importance in
time of need, but l can give you the
following examples of what the data
we have gathered so far demonstrates
regarding the currents above Los An
geles county:
Summary of Data
ABILITY under normal conditions to
travel inland with a drifting balloon
or to go toward the sea and at the
desired distance from the beach to take
an inland course.
1.-THE existence of certain calms and
how to reach them in order to hold
balloon for observation purposes.
1.-The possibility of observation from
a point communicable with headquar-
ters in Los Angeles and with the pro-
posed harbor fortifcations which viii
ordinarily give a range Of vision Tor
more than $50 miles at sea and all the
country from San Fernando to New
port. We hope to make observations
from a much higher altitude, which
will be important in connection with
the great strategic value OF the passes
offering approach to Los Angeles, but
at present the greatest height attained
by a member Of our squad for which
we have records covering this vicinity
is about 1900 feet above sea level
Lowe Alrship Described
William H. spalding gave the first
public account of the new airshlp
Prof. Lowe has designed as freighter
and aerial liner and which he says
easily can make the transcontinental
trip eastward from Los Angeles. After
giving a historical account Of the ad-
Vancement made in ballooning, Mr..
Spalding said, turning to the modern
airship proposed by Prof. Lowe:
"The ample experience of the past,
a survey of the numerous experiments
Of the present and a correct analysis
of the problems to be met in the
future, carries us back to the old
globular balloon for maximum buoy
ancy, absence Of redundant weight in
the construction, minimum resistance
TO lateral air currents, and, with a
suitable motor, efficiency Of control
as to horizontal and vertical move
ments.
1--WE come now to a new type of air
ship which viii be known as the
Volant, invented and perfected by
Prof T. S. c. Lowe, who has success
fully developed many other valuable
inventions, and who has had a longer
and wider experience in the science of
aeronautics than any other living per-
son, now, or in the past.
Is Spherical Balloon
"Prof. loves dirigible airship-the
Volant--consists Of a sperical balloon
slightly pear-shaped-the best form
of construction for sustaining the in
ternal pressure Of a buoyant gas and
Tor SUSTAINING llle WClEllL VI a al DU-
low. It also offers the least resist
ance to lateral current OF the atmos-
phere-a very important consideration
in guiding it's course, and in manipulat-
ing it's movements under varying at
mospheric conditions.
1.-THE hydrogen holder is made of
combination of silk and strong linen,
and covered with an imperVious prep
aration invented by Prof Lowe Ga
secret process) which not only pre-
vents the gas from escaping, but rem
ders the balloon unaffected by weather.
Thus. while other balloons lose their
contents by leakage In a few days,
Prof. loves war balloons retained
their contents for months, though sub
iected to the rain, seet and blasts Of
Wintry weather.
"a strong network of cords, rein
forced by fine tenacious wire, covers
the balloon, and the cords are united
at the bottom, where they are at
tached to the boat-like passenger car.
The car of the Lowe VOlant consists
of O. roomy receptacle for passengers
and freight somewhat similar TO a
Long Beach gasoline launch.
Perfect Comfort Guaranteed
"It is provided with cabins and
staterooms for the perfect comfort of
the passengers. These will be heated
to any desired temperature by the eX-
haust from the engine. There are IA
cilities for hotel fare on extended trips,
and for electric lighting at night. A