The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-28
A|RSH|P FLIGHTS
FOR new ORLEANS
AeropIane and Dirigible Will
Offer Fine Sport
READY FOR MAROI GRAS
Festivities This Year Will Be Brilliant
and More People Than Ever Are
Expected To Visit the Cres-
cent City.
BY WALTER PARKER.

New Orleans, January 27.-(Special)-
The first airship flights to be given in
the south will open the Mardi Gras fes-
tivities In New Orleans, JaWuary 20, and
continue daily for two weeks, when Nc
Gill, the aviator, will make ascensions
and maneuvers over the city, alternately
in a dirigibe balloon and an aeroplane,
the latter OF a type said to be an i'm
provement over the Wright machine. The
dirigible has the unique distinction of
being intended for the Nicaraguan revolu-
tionary army and will be shown under
the direction of the Aero Club of New
Orleans in conjunction with the Pro-
gressive Union, and will celebrate the
first appearance of flying ships in New
Orleans. The latter organization Is offer
ing free round trip railroad tickets 10
the city, covering Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. 1t is
proposed in this way to make the car
nivaI season of 1910 the most brilliant
and spectacular in many years.
The famous French opera is offered as
another attraction and the day and night
pageants and balls of Menus. Proteus,
Comus and Rex will probably be viewed
by 10000 strangers, as the billiards. pre-
vajling in the north have driven tourists
and winter sojourners toward the gulf
in great numbers. Jacksonville, Pen
sacola, Mobile. Gulfport, Biloxi Pass
Christian, New Orleans. Beaumont, Gal
weston, Houston, San Antonio and Corpus
Christi all are reaping tho result of
experiencing balmy southern winters.
The French opera this year is unusual
In that it has paid profit for the first
time in 20 years, and all theatres are
filled despite the drastic child labor laws,
which have resulted in practically every
manager in New Orleans being placed un-
der arrest One of the notable attractions
of the season is the engagement Of Cecil
Tanning. the baritone, of European and
American celebrity, who comes from the
same city in Ohio as does McGill, the av-
iator. An automobile speed carnival, box
ing matches and athletic contests and va
rious conventions of national Importance
will make the period lively one.
The National Editorial association will
meet February 10, IL and IL, and the Gulf
Coast conference on American merchant
marine on February IA and 10 The lat
Ter cOffVofILlOn Will udNc an Important cl-
feet upon every interest of the gulf coast
and every city on the Gulf OF Mexico,
from Key West to Corpus Christi, has
been invited to send delegates. Important
legislation in Congress, looking to changes
in the maritime and navigation laws of
the United States will be considered, and
every interest affiliated with or affected
by ocean shipping and the restoration
of the American flag on the seas, is ex-
pectod to participate.
Assurances have come to the Progress
sive union that many merchants partic-
ularly those who supply vessels, will take
advantage of the free railroad fare and
visit New Orleans for this convention,
and at the Same time see the ships of the
air in flight and witness the carnival fes-
tiyities which begin February 1.