The Washington times., 1906-02-28
Funeral Here Friday.

Funeral services for Prof. 5. p Lang
ley, secretary OF the Smithsonian In
stitution, viii be held on Friday after
noon The hour and other details Of the
arrangements VIII not be completed until
lhe arrival in Washington of Prof.
L0ngley's relatives. who are on their
way here from Aiken with the body.
Prof. Langley's death came as a shock
TO his friends. although IL was known
that he had not been in good health for
the past two months. Some weeks ago
he suffered stroke OF paralysis, and
on February went 10 Aiken in the
hope of recuperating. Yesterday he was
stricken the second time, and his death
occurred at / o'clock. His niece. Miss
Merr1ck, of Cincinnati and DR.. Riley.
VINO had accompanied the noted scientist
from Washington, were with him at the
time OF his death.
Since arriving i'm Aiken Prof. Lang
ley had seemed 10 improve materially
and every hope was entertained for his
ultimate recovery. After the stroke
Monday. Prof Langley hardly recov-
cred consciousness when he died
me 6ody was prepared for burial and
shlpped from Aiken at o'clock to-
day Officials of the Smithsonian 1nsti-
tuJion were unable TO give any details of
the FUNERAL arrangements. These are in
charge of Prof. Langley's relatives. and
other Than that the funeral would be
leld ON Friday afternoon nothing was
known
Dr.. Langley's Career.
Dr. Langley was born in Roxbury.
Mass, Aug -. 1884. and there re-
received his early education He was
graduated from the Boston High
School in 1871 and thereafter pursued
studies in architecture and civil en-
gineering
His interest I'm astronomy was in
tense throughout his life. and much
oI ms ume was devoted 10 its study
ana 20 observations and experiments
IN the physical branches of the
science. He became an assistant in
Harvard College observatory in 1855
and the following year an assistant
RPIcIessor or astronomy in the United
SJ5IeS Naval Academy.
PEoi- Langley : astronomical work for
tHe next ten years was continuous and
mos important in its results. He was
the director Of several expeditions sent
cut by the Government TO observe
tcilpseS ana other heavenly phenomena
ana invented Il number OF Instruments
whose use has increased the extent and
accuracy OF the worlds knowledge
Secretary of Smithsonian.
Dr. Langley became secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution in 1857, and held
lhat Office continuously until his death
As secretary lie was The administrative
dIncer OF he institution. with its sew
eral dependencies and departments Tor
research Tho activities of the inStitu
direction and scientific Investigations
carried on mCTely largely than ever be
fore in its history.
IL was while secretary of the Smith
soulan that DIT Langley made his IA
nous experiments with the aeTOplane-
his forn of appliance for the naviga-
Non OF the air The experiments were
made under the direction and at the ex-
pense OF the United States Government,
and attracted the widest attention.
Ut Langley mad the greatest faith in
DIS invention, and the absolute failure Of
every experiment made witE aeroplane
scarcely served 20 more than duh the
edge of his enthusiasm.
The aerOplare was modelled upon the
prlnelple Of the fight OF birds which
ne ne Go9tended was Jhu correct principle. !
ne belleFeo the assistance of q balloon /
attachment must Je dispensed with. il
me problems OF aerial navigation are /
10 ne solved Tie first attempt 10
staI tA@ aefupiaHe upOu its flight was
made oo the Potomac. at Whitewater
"a. in 1853. Jud was followed by several /
CthcTa. The attempts were ali failures
ana represented Il loss to the Govern
lnrnt OF perhaps $4,000,
y nat u was loss is the general con !
clusion. based Uopn the failure of any
GlrectlE valuable results but Dr. Lang /
lev never accepted this view of the sit
uAJion- lie was convinced he had the !
true principle and up TO the time Of his 1
"a I'lAess vas sun trying 20 develop IL |
50 ds 10 assure success.
one OF Or. l-augley's cherished theO-
RES was thdt scientific knowledge I!
could ana should be made ropuIar and |
.htei1glble 10 the multitude, and IN /
many OF his books he followed This !
theory with great success. His writings /
are distinguished by grace, charm and /
uciu4ty. ana are no less valuable in /
tne SclenuHc aspect. from the fact thar |
aney .l,' are readily compreheRded by the |