Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-07
MAYLEAVE CLUBHOUSE
Airship Experts Dislike Mr..
Beale's Comments.
MANLEY SEES LANGLEY
BELIEF THAT THE MATTER WAS
DISCUSSED.
They Would Have Difficulty in Find
ing Another Place in That
Vicinity.
MANLEY SEES LANGLEY
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Underwater, Va, August THE Lang
ley airship party got out to the houseboat a
little earlier than usual this morning in
charge of Chief Assistant Charles r. Man
ley, whose superintendent of the expedi-
ton continues in the prolonged absence of
the inventor. Prof. Langley again failed to
show up at Quantico last evening, and Prt-
vate Allison, who had made two trips to the
station to meet trains, returned shortly
after o'clock in company with Mr.. Manley.
1t is believed that the latter communicated
with the professor yesterday afternoon, but
Mr.. Manley declines to make any statement
on the subject or to say word indicating
the plans of Prof. Langley for the date of
the launching of the aerodrome.
Mr.. Manley's Embarrassment.
There is reason to believe that Mr.. Manley
has felt somewhat embarrassed at having
to remain with his party at the clubhouse
of the Mount Vernon Ducking Association
on Quantico Island after the protest by
members Of the club against the use of its
grounds and buildings as headquarters for
the airship expedition. Though he declined
to make any statement, it is thought that
he discussed with Prof Langley the advisa-
bility of seeking new quarters. What con-
CluSlOu was reached, IL tIlS SuppOSllioH ne
true, is not generally known. but apparently
no preparations have yet been made to get
away from the island. While Mr.. Truxton
Peale's comment naturally made the fur
Their stay of the Smithsonian experts some
what disagreeable, 1t is thought that Prof.
Langley intent upon the success of his air
ship, will not wear his feelings on the out
side when an open resentment of the criti-
cism would mean no end of trouble In seek
ing new basis of OperatiOnS.
The Smithsonian scientists do not like II,
but they have to make the best of 1t for the
present. Though ignoring newspapers. they
are particularly sensitive over the press
comments which refer to them as mechan-
les. They desire to be spoken Of as ex-
pertS and scientists.
Experimenting With Anemometer.
Experimenting with the thermometer was
the only activity on the superstructure of
the Langley houseboat up to noon today.
This instrument was placed in It's regular
position and the chronographic reading
showed very variable air currents The
wind blew from every point on the north
ern half of the compass. lulling momenta-
rily and sprnging to a high velocity. The
mean rate was about ten miles an hour. 1t
was not considered good condition for an
airship experiment. The instrument was
studied frequently by expert.
Gasoline Motor Tested.
The gasoline motor which is to furnish
the power for propelling Prof LangIey's
air ship has been thoroughly and repeated
ly testeu since the house boat has been
lying off Whitewater. On the whole. the
engineering experts are we'll pleased with
the showing made thus far and are con-
WINGED that the engine will prove eminently
satisfactory when put to the final test
that of furnishing sufficient motive force
tor the propulsion Of the aerial craft. The
perfection of this essential part Of the fly
ing machine Is said to be one of the most
important developments of recent study,
and experiments in aerodynamics Prof.
Langley does not claim the credit for the
improvements in the motor. This depart
ment of construction has been under the
immediate supervision of Chief Assistant
N-anley who graduated In an engineering
course at Cornell Prof. Langley lost q
great deal of time in experimenting with
motors and boilers. For his fret aero
dromes he chose type consisting of tubes
of nearly capillary section, but this form
of boiler was found to be entirely unsat-
isfactory. The next was made with a
continuous spiral line of copper tubing.
which was gradually enlarged and i'm
proved until 1t was found to meet many
of the requirements of the inventor
To Combine Efficiency With Economy
The aim has been to combine efficiency
with economy in weight, and this. 1t is as
serted, has been accomplished in the gaso-
line motor Low ready for use. Though
comparatively light weighing only 200
pounds, 1t generates something in excess
of twenty-six horse power in the shop.
1t Is expected to do nearly this well when
the aerodrome is in flight. Its position is
just in the rear of the forward winga
where 1t is Enclosed in small compart-
ment a little below the main body of the
vessel. The engine apartment will be
right in front of the navigator, who, seat
ed in his swinging car, will be enabled to
scrutinize the workings of the motor just
as a locomotive engineer sits in his cab and
controls the movements of his engine.