Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-04
CLIMATE IDEAL FOR
AERIAL OPERATORS
KNABENSHUE SHOWS HOW LOS
ANGELES STANDS
Facilities for Government Experiment
tation Cannot Be Duplicated Else
where, Work Being Possible
All Year Round

;. Roy Knabenshue pays his respects to
Los Angeles and Southern California
climate in the current number of the
Arrowhead magazine. to which he con-
tributes an article on Aerial NaVlga-
ton on the West Coast" Mr.. knaben-
shue calls attention to the attitude the
United States must take in military
teronautics, and urges the facilities pre-
sented around Los Angeles for govern
ment work on q large scale, calling at
tention to the fact that 1t is the oniy
section of the United States where TINS
can be conducted twelve months IN the
year.
Regarding this advantage possessed
by Los Angeles and its Importance, MI
Knabenshue says In his contribution
to the Arrowhead: .
Before diving into my supJect IL 10
proper, think, to refer by way OF III
PRODUCTION to the advantages or South-
ern California's climate as evidenced
through the possibilities of aerial ex-
nerirnents. What California means 10
the tourist and what he can ma mere
in the way of enjoyment is keeniy cieai
to tine aeronaut. $3.50 -,
at is certain that the next decade or
less viii bring about most marvellous
advancement in aerial progress, ana,
with that. a tremendous development
in other lines because or our apiilly 10
conquer the air not dreamed or py the
general public. There is no other place
in the world where so many features
ore combined to advance this expert
mental progress as around Los Angeles
For instance, we have had IN sew
eral capitals of the world simultane-
ously a serious consideration OF the
military possibilities of the use Oh ar
ships. In Germany, England. tne
ale m.
is said. in Japan-there Is an awaken
ing to- the Importance of the fact that
the next great war will be, In great
mart. fought in the air, and that pre-
hardness in this respect is undoupteu-
Nv likely to affect the fate OF a nation.
Cen Allen, chief of the united states
signal service, has recognized TINS aho
has endeavored to impress on congress
the vital need for realizing 1t at once
.The art OF war Is changed, he sald
and we will now be able to get in stride
with the world. With $5,O0O,OOO, prac-
tically less than half the cost OF
modern battleship. the United states
could efficiently protect not only the
entire coast line which is very large,
but also the interior of the United
Era of Experiments
ST believe we are just on the edge of
extremely important experiments In
this direction, and in these the unlted
States must take leading part. NOW,
when this comes about, some section In
the country should be taken for expert
ments which will meet a wide variety
of conditions, and there is no section
which fills the bill so we'll, to my mind,
as Los Angeles
Here you have a large city, with
others in easy reach; there are sea-
ports and opportunity for ocean maneu-
vering and cooperation with army ana
navy forces as desired. There Is ample
expanse Of level ground, but as much
mountainous and billy country with the
desert in reach. Every condition that
might be conceived in an unknown
country is available from Los Angeles
as a base Of operations.
but, above ALL there is the climate,
ideal for aerial tests and making them
feasible twelve months in the year. AT
Fort Myor, Va, the aeronautic work OF
the army Is held up during the winter
months but IL a station were estab-
lished in Los Angeles experiments
might be continuous.
II have broken away from my main
subject at this length because I have
been surprised that the business men
of Los Angeles have not more largely
realized their opportunity to push Los
Angeles forward. This will not only
amply in securing government expendi-
lures. but everything said in this line
is a great pointer toward the advan-
tages of Los Angeles. The climate is Il
wonderful attraction, and ballooning
can do as much as anything to call at
tention to it's charms. Cities which
gain a reputation for aerial experiments
are now widely talked about, and by
wealthy class of people.
Navigation the Issue
aerial navigation is vastly different
from mere ballooning and also equally
far from scooting through ar Win an
aeroplane. Neither is active navigation
of the air. for one is drifting and the
other is sliding. 70 navigate the air Is