The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-04

Vienna, December 3.-(Via London.)
 Weather conditions also bring diff culties, though not so great as might be expected from distance. Flying in thunderstorms is, of course, dan gerous because of the lightning. Rain storms appreciably add to the weight of the balloon and thereby decrease its ascending power, while heavy winds put a strain on the cable and consider able wear and tear on the envelope. Clouds are bothersome as a mask for lurking airmen, and fogs, if regular through the atmosphere. render obaer- vation very difficult. Nevertheless. so essential is the news gathered by tal
 loonists that they are sent up in all sorts and kinds of weather
 FINDING BALLOON BEDS
 One of the most difficult and yet essen tial parts of the work is that of con- cealing the balloon beds" especially
 from enemy airmen who like to hunt out the big envelopes when they are lying still on the ground Beds in the lea of hill which obstructs artillery fire or in the deceptive shadows of a near by wood offer preliminary disguise. but beyond that 'ca moufleurs" are needed to exercise their highest skill.
 Plans for all this work are now pro- gressing at gratifying rate. The AnleflcdIs DdllOOn programme mas been aided by the best and latest developments abroad, while manufacture presents but a few difficulties, owing to the resources oe the big American rubbe CT companies. The great need as with all the air pro gramme, is for men of the type and abl- ity needed, men for officers commissions as observers and men for the enlisted squadrons to do the delicate mechanical work necessary. The balloon section of the Signal Corps al Washington has all ready handled hundreds of letter appli- cations and Is ready to furnish the full est details so that by next spring the American balloon force already in France may be increased to a size commensur- ate with the pressing needs of the Amer ican army there.
 Men who are being selected as observ- CTS, and who will all be commissioned as officers, should have physical endur- ance, acute vision, an appreciation If distances and localities, and, above all, a sense of responsibilit and thorougN ness in keeping with the importance of the work assigned to them. They may
 be somewhat older than aviators-prefer- | ably from 25 to Sand of somewhat less severe physical requirements. spec'nl l training is given in winds, military oo' servation, meteoroogy. and balloonine 1 before a cadet is given his officers com mission and his post above thetrenches 1T
 France, in order that the high standards l prevailing throughout the air service gen orally may be upheld.
 | For the enlisted men who will form l the squadrons, gas works employees, rope triggers, cordage workers. and mechan- 1 cians are especially fitted. The nunha of men trained through their civilian oc- 1 equations to do this delicate and highly | specialized work is limited, indeed, and l the difficulty of establishing contact with them is great. Nevertheless the forces are being brought together with gratify- | ing rapidity and give every promise of 1 becoming an efficient part of the ait l establishment which is to help the allies | blind the German forces in France.