Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-09-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

| From Our Regular Correspondents
Washington, d. c., Sept 12.-While
official and social diversions are scarce
in Washington just now the eyes of the
world nevertheless are fixed on the
Capital. Wherever man exists the de-
sire to conquer the air by flying is felt
and no one can say how many years
men have been engaged in the expert
ment. For many years in this country
it was considered so quixotic that the
inventions would not be considered in
the patent office and were regarded as
the perpetual motion devices are now.
Nevertheless Orville Wright has been
demonstrating here for few days the
most remarkable heavier than air fly
ing machine that has yet been produc-
ed. His brother, Wilbur Wright, is
also exhibiting the same type of ma
chine in LIE Mans, France, but it has
remained for the brother here to break
all flying records SO far. On Wednes-
day of this week he remained in the
air for two minutes more than an hour
and during that time had perfect con-
troll Of the machine and alighted when
he was ready as easily and lightly as
bird. Before an audience made up Of
the Secretary of War, also named
Wright but not related to the inventor,
Secretary Metcalf, Secretary Straus,
General Nelson Miles, other prominent
army officers, newspaper correspond
ents and hundreds of curious onlookers
the flight of over an hour was made
and second one when the machine
carried an additional man was success
fully executed. There is little doubt
but that the government will purchase
the Wright machine for it has already
showed its ability to fulfill all the re-
quirements of the government test. 1t
is not many years since committees
composed of prominent men assembled
in different places for the purpose Of
testing the actual working of the auto
mobile, and at that period the motor
was quite as crude as the flying ma
chimes that are being exhibited now.
The whole marvel of the latter is, as
has been said of woman's preaching
and dogs standing on his hind legs
not that they can do it well, but that
they can do it at ALL
Not for several years has the Capital
experienced such an early awakening
from its summer stupor as is promised
this year. Contrary to all expectations
based on late experience that each year
would see fashionable and official folk
lingering longer over their vacations,
next week, the second in September,
will see the President and his family
established in the White House and
large contingent of the Diplomatic and
official sets back in the city. The
White House has been put in readiness
for the President and the annual clean
ing which requires nearly all of the
summer and thirty thousand dollars
has been completed. The mansion,
has had coat of paint outside and
been thoroughly renovated in the in
terror in way to make New England
housekeeper's soul thrill with JOY,
though in manner SO extravagant as
to fill her with dismay. Certain rooms
are carpeted anew each year, and
though the amount of entertaining that
is done during the winter and spring
does give the carpets severe wear it is
doubtful if the President or any other
man would buy new carpets without