176 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[January 1, 1912. 



The balloonets contain about 99,000 cubic feet. The balloonets 

 are placed in the lower part of the inside of the main balloon 

 and are separated from it by a diaphragm of specially constructed 

 fabric. The contents of these balloonets are under the direct 

 control of the man at the helm. 



The car differs from the cars of aljiiost all previous balloons 

 by being suspended closer to the niiain gas bag. This is 

 known as the non-rigid suspension type. .A.bout two-thirds 

 down each side of the gas bag are sewed extra strips eight 

 inches in width, which suspend from the car and in which are 

 holes with ash poles attached. From these poles are liimg strong 



Jack Irwin, the ".'Xkron" Wireless Operator. 



ropes. These small eight-inch strips are praaically continuous 

 along the sides of the bag, and the ropes from these converge, 

 working into stronger and stronger ropes, which are necessarily 

 farther apart, until they meet the steel cable, which is attached to 

 the car, thus being approximately 25 feet from the sides of the 

 balloon where the supporting ropes are attached. 



It is claimed that the crew will consist of seven people. 



The cooking utensils are of special light material and designed 

 for use on this ship. The heat of the exhaust pipe is utilized 

 for cooking. Sleeping apartments have been provided for in the 

 life boat and in bunks built in the structure of the car. 



It is reported that Commander George B. Evans, of the scout 

 cruiser Salem, will be in charge of the two ships supplied by the 

 navy to accompany Vaniman on his transatlantic dirigible bal- 

 loon trip, and he is reported as saying: "Mr. Vaniman's 

 plan is perfectly feasible, although it presents many difficulties." 

 Commander Evans was not informed as to which course Mr. 

 Vaniman intended to follow, but picked out the eighth parallel 

 as one that might be followed, sayirg that the most favorable 

 winds would be found in mid-ocean and that at the beginning 

 and end of the course he would find decidedly adverse wind con- 

 ditions. The Salem is equipped with fine wireless apparatus, and 

 will he able to keep in touch with the dirisible at all times. It 

 has powerful searchlights so that close lab can be kept on the 

 balloon. Mr. Vaniman has added an additional mtitnr to the 



equipment of the balloon. Mr. F. A. Seiberling, Mr. Vaniman's 

 financial help, says that he wants to give Mr. Vaniman every 

 chance to make a perfect ship, and that it is up to him to do as 

 he chooses. He doubts the wisdom of going to sea in winter 

 and possibly encountering a sleet storm, which might load his 

 balloon down with ice and cause it to sink, and believes that 

 waiting until spring would place the expedition in better shape 

 for success. Mr. Seiberling has encouraged Mr. Vaniman to 

 make e.xpcriments and to order alterations until everything has 

 been got into the best possible shape. Mr. Seiberling says, "I 

 view the sleet storms as one disquieting influence, but there is 

 the vision of the German ship hoping to come across the equa- 

 torial trade winds. I want our ship to make the journey first, 

 and I expect Mr. Vaniman will be ready in a few days, to be 

 governed by circumstances as they appeal to him." 



Jack Irwin, the wireless operator, who will accompany the 

 ■'.\kron,'' has had a career filled with adventure. In 1900 and 

 1902 Mr. Irwin served in the Boer war as soldier, and also as 

 iTiilitary telegrapher and signaller. He received decorations from 

 both Queen Victoria and King Edward for his services. In 

 1906 he accompanied the British in the famous Zulu campaign, 

 and again won decorations for his work. Returning to Ainerica, 

 he joined the staff of the Marconi company in 1907, and became 

 famous as the receiver of the C. Q. D. call from Jack Binns, of 

 the ili-fated steamer "Republic." In 1910 he accompanied Mr. 

 Vaniman in the airship "America." 



TRANSACTIONS OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 01' COTTON 

 MANUFACTURERS. 



The fact that the annual meeting of the National .'Association 

 of Cotton Manufacturers, held .Vpril 12-13, 1911, marked the 

 S7th anniversary of its establishment in its original form, adds 

 weight to the deliberations recorded in the published proceed- 

 ings. It numbers at present 1,052 members. 



In his address, the president, Mr. Franklin W. Hobbs, of Brook- 

 line, Massachusetts, quoted various pertinent facts and estimates. 

 .\mongst other points he referred to the increase of 27.3 per cent. 

 which had taken place between 1900 and 1910 in the number 

 of the world's cotton spindles, which rose during that period 

 from 105,700,000 to 134,500,000. He further estimated that the 

 mills of the world, on full time, would need at least 20,000,000 

 bales, while the production of cotton for 1909 equalled 16,- 

 650,000 hales, classified as follows: United States, 10,000,000; 

 India, 3,600,000; Egypt, 900,000; Russia, 700,000; China, 600.000; 

 Brazil, 350,000; other countries, 500,000. 



These figures would seem to indicate a possible deficit, but are 

 based on the world's mills working full time, which is not stated 

 to be the case. Whether the supply of cotton is sufficient for 

 the extent to which they are working, is another question. In 

 any case, Mr. Hobbs' expressions are of interest. He said : 



"I think I am not too optimistic to believe that from the pres- 

 ent acreage the production could be doubled if proper methods 

 were used. . . . To improved methods of cultivation we 

 must add a better method of picking, . . . and a general im- 

 proveiTient in every step and process between the planting of the 

 seed and the delivery of the cotton 'to the mill. We have too 

 long drifted. The time is now ripe for concerted and determined 

 action if we are to inaintain our commanding position." 



Thus conditions and interests are by no means dissimilar in the 

 cotton and rubber industries. 



The subjects treated in the papers presented, included various 

 topics of a special character, such as : — Cotton Picking by Ma- 

 chinery, Laws of Regain in Cotton and Worsted, etc., and like- 

 wise several of a more general nature, such as : — .Arbitration on 

 Cancellation of Orders, Limits of Scientific Efficiency, Efficient 

 Buying of Raw Material. Risks in Modern Industry, etc. 



