Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-25
MANLEY AS AER0NAUT
x.
Langley's Assistant May
Make First Flight.
JUST PROPER WEIGHT
EXPERIMENTED AGAIN TODAY
WITH BIG WINGS.
Things Went Wrong Because OF In
tense Heat, Which Made It Uncom-
Portable for Experts.

Special From a Stair Correspondent.
Underwater, Va. August 25.-Indica-
tons are that Prof. Manley will be the
aeronaut in the first fight of the big ma
| chine This Is constructed to carry $50
pounds in addition to it's own weight and
the chief assistant comes we'll under this.
He has repeatedly tested the navigator s
cabinet by getting into 1t and from that
station trying the management of the
motor and steering apparatus.
Leery Of Suns Rays.
The Smithsonian Institution airship SCI
entists showed no desire to expose them
selves to the suns rays in the blistering
weather Of yesterday afternoon and this
morning What work they did, If indeed
they did any, was done inside
They seemed to be irritated by the neces-
sity of keeping the screens in the windows
ana the lattice work before the DOORS Occa-
slonally screen would be taken down to
invite the freer circulation of air. but this
was closed instantly upon the approach Of
a boat.
Renewed Efforts of Secrecy.
1t might seem that after the scientists had
been compelled to expose Prof. Langley's
sixty-foot aerodrome to outside scrutiny at
distance of less than thirty yards they
would scarcely maintain the great secrecy
mat has characterized their actions. with
uiio U, TWO very recent exceptions, since tine
houseboat was brought down the river.
But such is far from being the case RI
anything they appear to be more yieiIan.
IMAM ever The wound their pride sustained
IN being easily at the mercy of ohserIars
seems 10 nave stimulated the scientific gem
tiemen 10 a more Jealous defense of their
charge Inc greatest care is exercised by
fro1. Manley and Mr.. Reed
Experiments With Wings.
signs OF activity were shown by the
Langley alrship experts late this morning
when Prof. Manley decided to brave the
screening heat and ordered a bunch of his
men on the superstructure
linen began tedious series Of expert
ments with the wings. OF these the ex-
supply. .''e'' Ga
Every available portion of room, in tba
nouseboat not utilized by the principal fly.
ing machine and the models is taken I'D
win the wings. There are wings sus-
pended from the ceiling and wings resting
on the floor; besides. couple of wings are
now on the superstructure
Things Went Wrong.
In the transference this morning from
bottom to top and back again things went
wrong. The men were affected by the in
tense heat, and it showed In their work.
Several times the delicate wings were in
danger of considerable injury. but fortu-
nately most of the threatened accidents
were avoided just in time. Once the main
supporting bar Of a big wing which was
being taken In jammed into the aerodrome
amidships.
The prong struck and hung in the ma
chinery connected with the motor. In
stantiy Prof. Manley called a halt and
sang out his directions for getting the col
liding parts separated
Happily the machinery escaped damage
OF any consequence. Having EXCHANGED
the wings on top for some below the force
retired to the shelter Of the houseboat.