Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-06
WAITING FOR LANGLEY
Airship Expert Expected at
Quantico Today.
MEN GO 70 MEET HIM
his ARRIVAL PROBABLY SIGNAL
FOR TEST.
Everything Indicates That All Is
Ready for the Launching Of
the "Buzzard."
MEN GO 10 MEET HIM
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.


QUANTICO. Va. August 6.-The gasoline
engine was again at work in the Lang ~
houseboat this morning. and several OF the
flying machine experts were a little btIsieI
than usual. Nothing was done on the
superstructure in the forenoon. General
appearances were Just about the same as
during the past week. While some were
really working others seemed to be Will
ing away the time. Shortly before II
O. clock the d. NJ. Key with one passenger
in addition to the crew, went to Chappa-
wamsic creek. She remained there some
time apparently waiting for some one ex-
pected from Washington. Prof. Langley
may arrive here today. He was expected
to arrive here this morning, but failed to
put in an appearance.
Chief Assistant Manly Of the airship ex-
pedition dispatched the tug Key with Pfi-
vate Allison aboard to meet the inventor
at Quan,ico. Private Allison and the
captain Of the craft were waiting at the
depot to escort Prof. Langley to the Key,
which was lying at the wharf, but the
l:52 o'clock train from Washington pulled
in and out without glimpse of the pro-
feSSor. Private Allison, however, remained
at the depot. where he was at a late hour
this afternoon. The south-bound trains up
to o'clock will be met for Pref. Langley.
His expected arrival is taken to indicate
early airship test.
Test Rumcr Incorrect.
The impression at Whitewater yesterday
afternoon that test of the Langley model
airship was imminent proved erroneous.
Though there were no unusual signs of
activity about the houseboat 1t was be-
lieved that Mr.. Manley would. at some time
during the day. break the tiresome monoto-
ny of the past ten days.
The time was ripe for test, it was as
serted. and the weather conditions were
perfect. Scarcely any breeze was blowing,
especially in the early evening, when an
aerdrome would have encountered the min
imum of difficulty from adverse air cur
rents Not In the past week have there
been such propitious circumstances for an
experiment. But the afternoon wore into
evening and the party boarded the tug d.
M. Key for the trip to the club house on
Quantico Island. That period following the
departure of the experts until the advent
Of the shades of night would have been a
splendid time for flight of the airship.
Even in the night. under the bright light of
the moon. it could well have taken place
except that at such time there are GER
tain difficulties not to be expected In the
daylight, such as imperfect photography.
Probability of Night Test.
At Whitewater it has often been suggest
ed that the experiments might take place
most as luminous as day. with a view of
avoiding newspaper publicity But this will
hardly be done, though the Smithsonian ex-
perts would give money to beat the news
papers. BY selecting such a time they
would seriously interfere with the pros
poets of securing good instantaneous pic
lures OF the aerodrome in flight Too much
Importance is attached to this feature to
surrender 1t for the sake of indulging a
morbid sensitiveness about press comments.
This is attested by the presence of Pho
tograpber Smillie. with the most improved
and elaborate instruments for making
pictures OF the flying machine at all stages
of its development and during the various
periods of it's flight.
The early morning, just following the
dawn, has been suggested the most pro-
piticus hour. AT that time it is often calm
on the river here. But unless there is a
radical departure at least once from the
daily custom of rising none too soon the
learned gentlemen from the Smithsonian
institution will not be found experimenting
even with thing so interesting as flying
machine in the quiet hours of the morn
ing. The well appointed sleeping apart
rnents at the club house. where the cool
shades and river breeZes make slumber a
luxury. not to mention the attractions of
an appetizing breakfast, all serve to ex-
plain why there Is not an eager haste to get
to the houseboat for the days work.
But passing from the somewhat choice
hours of beginning and closing work it may
be stated the strength of repeated OBJ
servations that the scientists and experts
are not doing much now in the way Of
labor at any stage of the game. Matters
seem to be at a standstill. and why some
thing is not done in the way of an expert
ment is an unanswered inquiry.