The San Francisco call., 1909-01-10
Balloons Lined Up for a Race

aerial navigation will compete commercially
with the present of transportation yet in many
ways it is the thing OF the future
In few years we shall have transatlantic and
transcontinental balloons OF the dirigibe type-so
soon. in fact that their advent will surprise all,
Just as the aeroplane performances OF the Wright
brothers did. Before that time shall have aero
dromes in every large city and in many smaller ones,
parks and buildings where balloons may be stored nd
inflated and where ascents may be mde. These will
be established very shortly.
The present day balloon enthusiasts are pioneers it
be borne in mind, and them is due good deal
of credit for their unse6sh efforts to promote the
sport and bring its delights and usefulness before the
general public 1t is but few years ago that the
balloon only showmans device. and its utility
based altogether upon matter of gate receipts;
today it bids fair to play very prominent part in
the sports the transportation facilities and the inter
national relations of than half the civilized
world.
Still more credit is due professional aeronauts-
like Stevens and Captain Baldwin The balloon
its former restricted sphere very lucrative
source OF livelihood to them. Then its operation was
invested with a sort OF magic known to very few,
and it would seem natural that they should prefer to
jealousy maintain this situation instead of being
prime movers IN general campaign of education
Stevens is manufacturer of balloons and of course
will eventually profit, perhaps by their general use.
SO, too will Baldwin. But they and some Others de-
praise at least for looking further than the ends
OF their noses, and Tor stopping practically altogether
This year, Stevens says, he will come out for
the hrst time his manufacturing experience In his
parachuting days he made much as $3.50 in sin
gle day All his present ascenSionS-in New England,
New York, the middle west-are made at his ex-
pense- So too, his ascents for the government.
1t seems strange that individual should have TO
take the initiative and bear the necessary expense in
such matter when today most nations struggling
to increase their balloon service with much the same
competitive energy that they devote to charging their
1--WE just returned from Milwaukee and Ohio
said sand had tyodde
My hotel was thronged with visitors pretty much
all day long had good deal of trouble getting in
and out and avoiding them Some people simply
wanted to talk with me- Others were cranks with fly
ing machine devices; few wanted TO make ascents.
One young fellow to with money. 4 un-
derstand,' said he, that you charge $loO to take
passenger up.
No. said I, I don't charge anything. Why. do
you want to go up?
Well, I'll tell you he said I'm the ianitor OF a
bank here in town There's young clerk there, son
of the president who has plenty of money and is very
and is constantly boasting about it. Now, Id
like to beat him by going up today. If you'll take
me, I've got $500 saved up and $50 of it is yours.
That's fair sample OF the requests | get, said
Stevens. But the general awakening OF interest is
encouraging anyway
We had been talking in the Stevens balloon factory,
the only institution Of its kind in New York or for
that matter. In the country 1t covers two aud half
floors, and at It's busiest time has about many en-
ployes, the fraction existing in the of stately
black cat who plays the part OF night watchnlan.
THE balloonist fears water most of ALL. said
Stevens. If you see yourself approaching a large
body OF it and don't care to cross You can easily make
quick descent by of the ripping cord But if it
IS misty so that you can not see far ahead and you
don't know lust where you are il is rather risky I've
just had that sort of experience in Milwaukee and
| found this little instrument OF much help
He showed me small brass continuance that looked
like the chopped off end of cornet 1t attached
by heavily insulated wire to good sized dry batter
les That's an electric siren whistle, said he. "It
can be heard FIVE miles away and then the batteries
are good for ballast.
Its use is to warn people of your approach so that
they will be ready and in mt condition talk you
and tell you where you You it often takes
half minute for your megaphone call to reach the
earth and even II they answer promptly another half
minute for their answer to reach you Now if YOU are
Aving along at the rate of 40 miles an hour Won
see the disadvantage you labor under
"We have laughable experiences in the country.
shadow of the balloon first and start awful uproar
Then the pigs take it up, and by the time you are over
the house the family is half mad and half crazy with
fright Generally when yell down Where are we p
] get only open mouthed look and the answer
very gratifying one-'Hey! Where are you going?
1--WE had lots of fun with this siren
Il suppose it did sound unearthIy to hear this
hair raising screech come out of the sky But what
antics saw
horses and began praying Another rolled over
and covered his head with his coat Generallv
though the brave fellows Just cut and for their
wives and families Then they would come out with
grandfathers hintloek and defy us to do our worst
"I'll never forget trip made years ago from St
Louis to Michigan We were above tornado at one
time and it was a remarkable sight Not BIT OF
trouble where were. You could scarcely. know
you were moving, and not. sound from the earth
reached us But we. could see big trees bend and
break and helds OF grain swept fiat as floor
"The storm was still on when we tried a landing.
and exciting time had of it. We were swept
through an orchard, breaking anchor and tearing
off big branches of trees. We crashed to the ground
right in front of farmhouse. where tall old ladv
stood dehantly guarding the door. We called rathrr
unexpectedly and considering the damage done in the
orchard and all, she had good reason to be mad
Where did you fellers come fromS she demanded
s. st. Louis, said I
She stared at us, took of her glasses viped then,
and stared again.
Now that, will do said she. and walked in and
slammed the door" II -