Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-06
FLYING IS SPORT
OF MILLIONAIRE
CLIFFORD B. HARMON DIS
CVSSES AVIATION
Aeroplane, He Says, Is Machine of
Pastime, While the Dirigibe
viii Be That of
Commerce

Anything to forward aviation. 1t
is the greatest sport and tonic in the
world"
That is the way Clifford B. Harmon,
owner of the $4,000 balloon New York,
expressed his ideas last evening at the
Alexandria hotel. Mr.. Harmon is a
multi-miI Illonaire real estate dealer of
New York. He is accompanied by his
father-in-law, Commodore E c. Ben
edict, of the Sewanaka- -Corninthian
Yacht club and banker of New York.
THE aeroplane is the machine of
sport; the dirigible the machine of
commerce." said Mr.. Harmon. Il be-
lieve it is but a short time until the
dirigible will be SO perfected that it
will carry passengers long distances.
1t IS a practical lighter than-air ma
chine and will undoubtedly become
commercial necessity within a short
time.
THE real drawback to aeronautics
today is the lack of exact mechanical
balance. What is needed now is a
light, durable powerful engine. That
will come shortly
Endurance Now Taxed
Travelling in the air now depends
upon the endurance of the aViators.
A balloon will go just as far and as
stand the strain. 1t is the same with
the aeroplane and the dirigible. When
better facilities are provided for air
travel the drain on ones strength will
not be so great.
Los Angeles has certainly accom-
plished great things in a short time
in the matter of aviation. I have
studied air currents in this section
and have concluded that Los Angeles
is the ideal location for a permanent
aviation camp. Glenn Curtiss and
planned to come here early in Decem-
ber and do a bit of flying, but the
Aviation week changed our plans
somewhat. Unless the injunction suit
against Curtiss interferes, he and I
will remain here indefinitely, making
ascents of all sorts. I have just pur-
chased a new Curtiss aeroplane in
which I expect to make some flights
in Los Angeles. / am not in the flying
game for money but for sport"
Holds Height Record
Mr.. Harmon and Augustus Post
broke the height records at Eudina
Miss, October 5, 1909, by going up "a
900 feet They were in the air forty
eight hours and twenty-six minutes
and Travelled over 500 miles. The same
balloon in which they made the record
Mr.. Harmon is considered one of
the authorities on aeronautics. He
will make the first balloon ascension
of 1916, anywhere in the world, next
Saturday at Pasadena.
The Aviation week committee and
several subcommittee members will go
to the aviation camp this morning to
inspect the progress made on the
grandstand and to determine a number
of matters connected with the course.
The location for the aeropane tents
was stalked out yesterday afternoon by
Dick Ferris.
A site for the balloon field will be
decided on by the executive committee
today and as fast as the balloons ar
rive they will be spread out and gone
over by the owners. assisted by MEM
bers of the aeronautical squad Of Com
pany A of the state signal corps.
A subscription of 800 to the fund was
received yesterday from the Llewellyn
Iron works. The California hospital
donated a complete emergency hospital
for the entire period of the meet, in
cluding a large tent with all first aid
equipment necessary, and the services
of doctors and nurses.
S. Kendall, representing the Howard
Motor Car company, offered the free
use of two large automobile trucks,
which are made available at once
They will take the aeroplane tents to
the grounds early this morning. and
will be kept busy hauling aeroplanes
and material.
The Municipal band. with Fl. B.