Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-07
WILL MAN YET FLY:
Encouragement Offered to Inventors o
Flying Machines
The Boston AerOnautical Society 1,
Considering the Construction
of a Laboratory.

While the problem of how man might
profitably fly through the air in imitation Of
birds and successfully meet the varying
atmospheric conditions, has not yet been
solved there Is movement now In force
that presents positive progress in this direc-
tien. 1t seems though the prophecy OF
Sir George CayIey, of four hundred years
ago, that this noble art would soon be
brought home to mans general convenience
30 that 1t would be possible for him TO trans
port himself and family. with goods and
chattefs, more securely by air than by the
present method, and in less time, may be
fulfilled.
There is new ground for hope that the
nineteenth century may see some practical
results of value to the world in this field. A
F, bill asking encouragement from the govern
ment has been drawn by Mr.. James Means
of Boston. and introduced in the Senate by
Mr. Lodge. from which a favorable report
Is expected. 1t is now In the hands of the
Interstate committee, and authorizes and
directs the Secretary of the Treasury TO pay
the sum of 100000 to any person. from
whatever part of the world, who shall at
any time prior to the 1st of January, 1901,
construct an apparatus that Will. on veri-
fled report of a committee of three members,
. appointed by the Secretary of War. demon
Strate within, or near the city of Washing
ton. the practicability of safely navigating
the air at speed of not less than thirty
: miles per nOur, ana capable OF carrying
freight and passengers. weighing a total of
not less than 400 pounds.
Section provides: That the Secretary of
the Treasury shall pay the sum of $4,000
to any person, from whatever part of the
world. who shall at any time prior to the LIST
of January, 1900. construct an apparatus
, that WILL On the same verification condi-
tons. demonstrate the safety of navigating
the air in free flight for distance of one
! mile OF more in descending line. the point of
alighting to be not more than sixty feet
lower than the point of starting
Boston has peculiarly become the center
; of flying machine interest. The Boston
! Aerunautical Society, which was organized
last May. with Prof. William H. Pickering,
! Harvard's Well-known astronomer. as presi-
dent. and Albert A. Merrill, secretary has
taken up the investigation with renewed
{ vigor. Mr.. James Means. who Is a graduate
| of the Institute of Technology. is also an
! officer in the new society. Mr. Means has
! just Issued the second number of tine
| Aeronautical Annual The volume shows
| great advance over the first number issued
; year ago. In Its contents. Otto LI.ienthal
the famous Berlin aerial scientist, con-
tributes an interesting article to its columns
Proposed Unique Exhibition.
The Boston Aeronautical Society proposes
to erect a laboratory near the city. where
vell-paid men may be employed in that
line CT experimenting. 1t will probably be
q barnfike structure. near the center of a
level tract. with a large sheet of water
not far away. Such a building would an
! swer the two-fold purpose of a workshop
and place for the storage of apparatus.
IFor the year 1896 part of the money
raised VIII be paid out to the worlds ex-
tperimenters in the form of cash prizes
These are to be awarded for certain kinds
pr apparatus which are much needed. The
sum already guaranteed to the fund is
sufficient to provide prizes well worth con-
tending for, but. as 1t Is hoped that the
fund will be constantly increased, the
definite amount of the prizes will not he
made public until the 1st of next May.
The competitive trials will probably take
place at field meeting of the society to
be held next autumn, in the vicinity of
Boston. Designers unable to attend are in
. vited TO send apparatus. which will be test
ed by committee of the society Five
prizes will be offered as follows: For the
Kite showing the maximum of lift to the
minimum of drift in a breeze having a We
locity of more than fifteen miles an hour
and also in breeze of less than fifteen
miles an hour; for a kite keeping its euui-
wind velocity; also. for the soaring ma
Chine in free flight. which, after gaining
velocity. shall make the best course.
/ The Lilienthal aeroplane is a remarkably
F, clever device. and while 1t is not yet of
practical value for making protracted Jour-
| news in mid-atr. it is, nevertheless a hone
ful indication of the progress made Its
: purpose Is TO initiate the soaring of birds.
/ as well as their ordinary flight. which
! Ii effected by the Tapping of their wings
The improved machine comprises two
wings. which, after the manner of birds
wings. are slightly vaulted upwards. The
wings are fixed by two rods laid cross
wise. one upon the other, and firmly con-
nected together, thus forming q carrying
/, frame. or part of a carrying frame, to
which the person intending to fly may hold,
so as TO he suspended between the two
wings.