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ARMY TO TEST ALL KINDS OF AIRSHIPS

Gen. Allen, Head of Signal Corps, to Start an Aerial Proving Ground at Fort Omaha.

$50,000 APPROPRIATED FOR IT

A French Army Balloon and One Now Being Constructed Here to Be Well Tried Out.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6. --Quietly, but with a determination, nevertheless, to satisfy himself thoroughly on the subject, Gen. Allen, chief signal officer of the army, has been making preparations for most extensive experiments with balloons, airships, and aeroplanes with the view to settling upon some system of aerial navigation for use in operations of the army, either in peace or war.

Recently there arrived in this country from France a type of balloon used by the French army, which was purchased by the signal corps in order that its merits might be tested in competition with balloons of American make, while in New York there is being constructed an immense balloon in which men of the corps will make trial ascents.

It is Gen. Allen's intention to conduct these experiments at Fort Omaha, just outside of Omaha, Neb., and for this purpose $50,000 already appropriated has ben allotted for fitting up the fort with all the necessary appliances, including gas tanks and repair shops.

Gen. Allen said to-day that he would be prepared to conduct experiments with every conceivable kind of machine offered--and all would be given a trial before board of officers--but the department under no circumstances would purchase plans of balloons or machines not already put to practical test.

He believed this country was far ahead of any other in the matter of flying machines, and some had been developed which would furnish a few surprises. 

The balloon corps of the French army numbers at least 600 men, all expert aeronauts, and it is expected by the department that before long the American army will have an equipment superior to that of any other army in the world. 

Just how soon the experiments will begin is not known, but Gen. Allen proposes to lose no time in completing his plant.


AIRSHIP RIDING AT JAMESTOWN FAIR

Steel Lift and Double Sway for Visitors

DIME FOR DELIGHTFUL THRILLS

On the "Warpath" at the Exposition a Coney Island Sweep to Swing 200 Persons at a Time Through Space at Height of 250 Feet-Safe Sensations

Norfolk, Va., Feb. 6 --The Friede steellift will be the central feature of the "Warpath" of the Jamestown Exposition. It will be three hundred feet high and about two hundred and fifty feet in circumference at the base.  It will revolve both vertically and horizontally at the same time, carrying passengers through the air in various sweeps and circles, imitating actual airship riding.

The length of the ride will be ten minutes, and during that time passengers will travel at various heights and in all directions about two miles in the air. The lift will be built entirely of steel and revolve on a solid concrete foundation. It will be thirty-six feet higher than the Ferris wheel of the Chicago exposition. 

There will be eight cars, or "airships," with a seating capacity of twenty-five people to each. The power used will be electric, about 100 horsepower, and it is intended to outline the whole structure with fifty thousand 8-candlepower incandescent lamps of various colors and two large 10,000-candlepower searchlights above each tower leg. 

The ride through the air will be decidedly sensational in every respect, but the device will be so constructed as to insure absolute safety to its passengers under any and all circumstances. The only device similar to this one ever operated is the revolving tower now on Coney Island, which was built by Mr. Friede in 1905 and has been one of Coney Island's leading features ever since.