New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-11
PRIVACY FOR EXPERIMENT.

Fault has been found with Professor Langley
and his assistants on account of their retcence
in regard to the fresh set of flying machine tests
recently initiated on the Potomac. With that
view of the matter we do not altogether sympa-
thize. So far as the assistants were concerned,
they were doubtless acting under instructions;
so that whether he We're present or absent the
sole responsibility rests on the secretary of
the Smithsonian Institution. His attitude, more
over may appear in a new light when 1t is re-
membered that the development Of his ideas
about aerial navigation. though making encour-
aging progress, is still in an experimental stage.
A few parallels will illustrate the propriety
of Professor Langleys reserve. Two or three
years ago several newspaper men knew that an
American steam turbine was being subjected to
elaborate trials TO ascertain its efficiency. They
had practically tie whole story about this ma
chine, but could not obtain permission to print.
The inventor and the manufacturing company
which was commercially interested in it's sue
cess were not ready for publicity, and they re-
fused to consent until they were satisfied with
the performance of the engine. Repeatedly
while Afr. Edison's earlier work on his storage
battery was in progress he was beset with
queries as to his materials and methods but
he persistently refused to crafty public curl
osity. and only INDUCED in generalities If he
talked at all. Professor Langley himself has for
years been engaged In another line of research,
the study of solar changes with his improved
bolometer. Regarding his discoveries in that
field he imparts more information than he
likes. The latest features of the work are not
always in such a condition that he deems it
wise to report them In these and countless
other instances which might be cited the incom-
pleteness of an elaborate investigation is usual
" recognized q a annie expuSa for
Ordinarily. Of course. most scientific expert
ments can be conducted within the limits of a
aboratory-chemical, meteorological or eIectri-
ca[-where absolute privacy can be secured
without much trouble The nature of the pres
ent tests by Professor Langley makes it neces-
sary to operate out Of doors. but the principle
remains unaltered. Again, If their expense is
partially or wholly met by a government appro-
priatiOn, that fact has no ethical bearing When
Uncle Sam is trying new kind of gunpowder
and is uncertain about the result, he laughs at
the presumption of newspaper men who de-
mand information II they had right to it
before he has himself reached a conclusion
Among the disadvantages of premature pub
licity is the danger Of misinterpreting a single
incident. In the perfection of any invention the
systematic worker will need to face a variety
Of problems, large and small and will direct
his energies first to one and then to another In
the design of a flying machine consderat ton
must be given to buoyancy, stability, vertical
steering, horizontal steering, motive power, the
form Of the propeller. materials, dimensions and
a host of other things. Manifestly, then. test
for one feature would not be a test for an
other, and what was successful demonstration
to the experimental might look like failure to
the uninitiated especially if the latter looked at
the venture, as he probably would as an all
around trial. Against the drawing of erroneous
conclusions almost any investigator would nat
urally wish to guard. Hence it is a pity that
Professor Langley's assistants were not so sue
cessful in eluding observation with the present
series of tests as he was himself in 1893 and
later.