Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-18
TO USE AUTOAS
BALLOON BASKET
AER0NAUT C0EY TO MAKE A
LONG DISTANCE TRIP
WILL COMPETE WITH FERRIS
FOR EASTERN RECORD
Aerial Fiesta Proposed as Benefit for
Police Relief Association in Con-
nection with Trials Now
Planned

The attempts to make a transcon-
tinental balloon trip contemplated by
Dick Ferris and Charles A Coey may
assume the proportions of another race.
An effort was made last week to bring
both men together, asking them to
group their ascensions as a benefit for
the Police Relief association, which Is
in need of money. If this is acceded to
it will prove to be something like a ball
loon fiesta, as it will bring together
some of the most noted balloons in the
World-FerriS' United States and Amer
lean, Coey's Vile de Dieppe and Chi
cago, knabenshue's dirigible and a
small balloon owned by Capt. Thos. S.
Baldwin. All but the latter are holders
of worlds records.
The plan which will be put before
Ferris, Coey and Knabenshue this week
contemplates ascensiOns by all these
balloons January 81 with an admission
fee, at least half of which is to go to
the Police Relief association. 1t is
argued that as both Ferris and Coey
have announced that they intend to try
for the transcontinental record it will
be easy to make ascents at the same
time, and that the crowd question can
be more feasibly controlled with an
admission fee. If half the admissions,
regardless of expense, go to the police
1t Will amount to a guaranty Of a fund
for their association.
The aeronauts will be asked this week
to alter their program accordingly So
far as equipment is concerned the long
distance attempts may be made by the
date suggested. Capt. Mueller received
the United States from the freight Of
nee Friday and has the rip strip re-
placed and other repAirs incident to the
Arizona voyage nearly completed The
American has been in shape some time.
Mr.. Coey's big balloon, the Chicago,
has been shipped, and his assistant
pilot, Capt. Bumbaugh, has started
from indianapolis for Los Angeles. He
will probably be here Thursday, when
the question of the long distance trials
will be definitely settled.
Capt. Mueller has made all necessary
repairs to the big hydrogen gas plant at
Chutes park balloon field, where the
ascensions will be made if 1t is agreed
to unite on the benefit plan.
viii Test Opposing Theories
Ferris and Coey differ considerably
on the best method Of achieving a
transcontinental record Ferris believes
that a small balloon Of not more than
ZzOO cubic meters capacity is better
than a larger one, while Coey thinks
that the larger the capacity the farther
c11ANA ACNoOCA LhC OctlIOOu VIII IIdV6I.
Ferris seems to have the support of
most aeronauts, but Mr.. Coey realized
this before he ordered the Chica go
built. Since he has tried out his big
balloon he is more confident than ever
that his theory is correct.
After studying the starting situation
Mrs. Coey has decided to accompany
h I husband on the long trip, as She
peneves the trip will be a most won
derful experience. If the Chicago is
the first balloon to cross the continent
she will share the pioneer record with
Mr. Coey and Capt. Bumbaugh
we are going to make the trip
across the country" said Mr.. Coey last
night, ''if we have to stop and then
build fires to initiate with hot air to
continue. believe thoroughly that the
idea is a feasible one, and we should
like to be the first to achieve it.
Auto Instead of Basket
Instead Of the basket l think we
snail substitute a small automobile to
carry the passengers and supplies. This
rated by the automobile engine. which
VIII be useful in steering the balloon.
Inc automobile will practically weigh
no more than my basket, and it can he
made very comfortable for Mrs. Coev
Then If we are compelled to make a
landing some distance from a gas
plant or town we have power to get us
somewhere.
IF we cannot go as far as I think
the Chicago should carry us we shall
endeaVor TO refill the balloon and start
anew until we get at least as far as
the Mississippi. But 1 believe with
favorable conditions my balloon will
take us long ways before a deffation
is necessary. 1 think, too, the trip will
prove that my theory that the size of
the balloon has bearing upon the dis
lance Travelled is a correct one"
The automobile attachment has al
ready been proved perfectly practical.
Before the days of the automobile John
wise made ascensions, using a wagon
Tor a basket. Mr.. Coeys big balloon
was utilized last summer by Cant.
Bumbaugh and Carl Fisher, president
of the indianapolis Aero club. who sub
stltuted a touring car for the basket
ana made an ascension from Indian
apol1s. The landing was made easily.
and after loading the balloon on the
automobile the aeronauts rode back TO
Tn 10 AFf ~