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[[partial clipping]] Still, it not long ago ...guished scientists [[/partial clipping]]

Lord Kelvin did hold this opinion, and some great authorities on aerial flight even went so far as to point out to me various reasons which militated against aerial navigation, and at the same time they expressed the opinion that all experiments in that direction were doomed to failure. I merely mention this to show that it is only quite recently that the possibilities of the aeroplane have been generally recognized. 
"At the moment, however, there seems, to be an almost overwhelming confidence in the future of flying machines, and I have heard it said that before long aeroplanes will be used for purposes of ordinary traffic. With this view I cannot agree. In the first place, the construction of a flying machine will never be so cheap as to make it possible. Again, though time will undoubtedly do much to lessen the difficulty, it is impossible to ignore the danger which must attend any attempt to conquer the air.
Thus it is a far less dangerous pastime to take a trip in a baloon than in a flying machine, however perfect the latter may be, for one would be short-sighted indeed to pass over lightly the difficulties of an accurate descent, which is liable at any moment to become unpleasantly rapid.
"But for military purposes there will always be found plenty of men prepared to take big risks, because, if successful, such important results are to be attained. On the other hand, few people, 'for popular purposes' such as ordinary traffic and pleasure trips, would. I think, be disposed to make an aerial flight across to Calais in a machine which stood a chance of landing with its occupants among the waves of the Channel at any moment.
"I have, as I before said, made many experiments with flying machines, and numbers of leading scientists have watched my efforts in this direction, including Lord Kelvin and Lord Rayleigh. Lord Kelvin described my machines as 'veritable museums of invention.'
"Not long ago I had a captive flying machine constructed at my residence. On the day of the trial the elements were most unpropitious, for when the engineer got into the boats and the aeroplanes commenced to work, the wind, which was blowing at about forty miles an hour, so increased the speed that the engineers found themselves going at a rate of nearly eighty miles an hour. I fancy those engineers were uncommonly glad to find themselves on dry land again.
"To my mind the real future of flying machines consists in their adaptation to military purposes, and I have a strong conviction that the day will come when battles will be decided in midair. 

[[partial clipping]] Signal of funds Congress will of the importance and that the necessary ap- will be forthcoming. [[/partial clipping]]

Herald New York
13 Jan 1907

Meet to Arrange for Balloon Race
Cortlandt Field Bishop and Guests at Luncheon to Perfect Plans for International Event.
Two New Prizes Offered
Three American Defenders of Cup Will Use Largest Balloons Permissible in Contest
At a luncheon to be given this afternoon at the Metropolitan Club by Mr. Cortlandt Field Bishop, president of the Aero Club of America, plans will be perfected for the conduct of the international cup balloon race to be started from St. Louis next October.
Among others who will be present are the Honorable C. S. Rolls, who was one of the Great Britain's representatives in the international cup race last summer, and who will probably be one of the three representatives of the Aero Club of Great Britain in this year's contest; C. J. McCoy and Alan R. Hawley, who are likely to be two of the three American defenders of the cup; James E. Smith, president of the Business Men's League of St. Louis, which has charge of the local arrangements for the start of the race; Frank S. Lahm, father of Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm, who won the cup for America; Colgate Hoyt, vice president of the Aero Club of America, and Charles Jerome Edwards, its treasurer. 
Formal announcement will be made at the luncheon of the offering of a $500 cup by Mr. McCoy for the longest balloon flight made from St. Louis this year by a member of the Aero Club of that city, and of the giving of a special prize by German presidents of St. Louis to the member of the German team who makes the best record in the international race.
It has already been arranged that one of the three balloons to be used by American defenders of the cup will be provided by the St. Louis Business Men's League. Mr. McCoy has bought one to be used in the race, and another member of the Aero club has agreed to furnish the third. Each will be of the largest size permissible according to the rules of the contest, so that America will not be handicapped