The Washington herald., 1908-08-10
to Win Government
Bonus This Afternoon.
PLEASED WITH THE DIRIGIBLE
Officials Admit II Has Exceeded Ex-
pectatfOns-TnventOr and His As
sistants Confident the Balloon VIII
FIJI All Requirements at the Test
Worked on Machine Yesterday

With the kind Indulgence Of Jupiter
PluviUs. the mammoth dirigible invented
by Capt. Thomas Baldwin will make an
official flight Of five miles at Fort AIyer
this evening. The balloon is scheduled
to sail into the air shortly after O'Clock.
and probably viii remain up more than
three-quarters Of an hour
Engineer Glenn Curtiss. who went 70
Hammondsport, " Y, on Saturday after
noon 20 procure half a dozen new car
buretors for the motor. VIII arrive in
Washington early this morning. He will
90 Immediately 20 Fort AIyer and begin
work on the engine. and hopes TO have
the additional three carburetors adjusted
and tested before noon.
Capt. Baldwin and his assistants spent
some time working on the dirigibIe yes
terday afternoon Several minor altera-
tons were made. and when Capt Baldwin
returned 10 the Raleigh Hotel last night
he said he was satisfied that when the
engine was properly equipped the airship
would be perfect
Engines Pulling Power.
Through a typographical error yester-
day. the statement was made that Cart.
Baldwin's engine has a pulling power OF
-sS3 pounds to the square inch II should
have been -653 pounds TO the square inch.
thus pulling the huge gas bag eighteen
feet a second
Heavy rains on Saturday and early
yesterday morning left the parade
ground at Fort 8Iyer looking damp.
muddy. and deserted. but the dirigible in
its big tent was unaffected by the ele-
ments as wei as though it was housed
in one Of the balloon houses which Brig.
Gen James Allen. chief signal officer of
the army. intends TO ask Congress 10
provide. preliminary to further additions
10 the aerial feet OF the United States
army
Capt. Baldwin was at the Hotel Ra-
leigh yesterday. saying he preferred to
observe the Sabbath" while Mr.. Cur
tiss. manufacture Of the motor Of the
dirigible. left here Saturday for Ham
mondsport, y. Y. where he went TO OBJ
tain three additional carburetors. Mr.
Curtiss. prior 20 his departure. said:
While It would have been possible for
US 20 successfully negotiate the speed
trial with one carbUret0r. we came TO the
conclusion that We would postpone the
official speed trial until Monday in order
% secure a carburetor for each Of the
four cylinders. Then It will be possible
20 have each tuned or adjusted. to its
respective cylinder and insure the per-
feet working Of the engine and provide
against the motor missing fire. This
would also supply more power.
Baldwin Is Optimistic.
Capt Baldwin was as optimistic as
ever. I expect TO earn q bonus to-mor-
row." he said Everything is in readi-
ness, but Mr.. Curtiss and myself thought
It advisable TO postpone the official speed
trial until tomorrow. You know how
much better an automobile runs with j
carburetor for each cylinder? So will
the dirigible"
With the exception OF Maj Russell. who
has gone to Fort Leavenworth TO take
charge Of the aeronautical school there,
the official army board 10 pass on the
official speed trial to-day. which is COM
posed Of Maj. George o. Squier. chair
man; Capt Charles s. Wallace. Lieut..
benjamin D. Fouiois. and Lieut.. Frank
P. Lahm. all Of the Signal Corps. VIII
be on hand this afternoon at Fort Myer.
Members Of the board express themselves
as well pleased with the sirship. and
voice satisfaction that it passed the ex-
e1lillndllDI mace on SATURDAY as 10
whether it came within the required speci-
hcations for material. &C.
One gratifying thing in connection with
the present aerOnautical work being car
ried on by the army" said Brig Gen.
James Allen. chief signal officer of the
army, yesterday. is that the people and
the press are treating the Baldwin dirigi-
bic with all seriousness Their belief and
confidence are not being misplaced, as the
airship has come up 10 and even beyond
all that had been expected Of It
There is one thing that should be said
at this time That is. i IS our sincere
hope that this confidens viH not 20 TO
such an extent that shOuld some accident
overtake the dirigible the faith of the
people viii be shattered 1 do not
anticipate any accident, but If It should
come I believe il would be treated with
the same magnanirnous spirit with which
the regrettabie accident TO the Zeppelin
sirship was treated by the German people |
and the whole world
'Anothe- thing that should be men
toned at this time is that some are sn-
clined 70 look upon the Baldwin 6irizibls
as an engine Of war. That is true to a
certain extent: but It must be remem-
be-ed that It Is but q fourth. almost