The Washington times., 1908-09-11
HERRING ASKS TINE
TO FINISH AIRSHIP
Inventor Requests Extension
of Thirty Days to Bring
Aeroplane to Fort Myer.

A. NJ Herring. whose heavier-tllan-
air machine is due at Fort Adyer on or
before Monday next, today telegraphed
the War Department asking that iln
extension of time for the fulhllment OF
his contract be given him.
Mr. Herring desires thirty days more,
and bases his request upon the asser-
ton that his machine needs repairs.
and the correction OF defects, which
can be made only IN his shop in New
York
Mr.. Herring has already been granted
one extension of thirty days by tie
War department. his original contract
calling for delivery on August g. and
there has been much adverse comment
among the experts at Fort BIyer over
his apparent unwillingness TO bring HIS
machine down 10 Washington, especial
ly after the record breaking perform
ances OF Orville Wright
This second request OF MI Herring
will have to receive the sanction or dis
approval OF Secretary Of War Wright.
Il will be submitted TO Mr.. Wright. it
is understood, some time today and il
Is probable he win grant the request
fo.' the reason that the War Depart
ami because It is the intention to en-
courage inventors q. and not to impose
conditions which may seem harsh.
Some Criticism.
While there has been much criticism
o. Herring's failure to produce his ma
chine. and his many assertions and de-
mails that he viii san from New York
10 washington in his aeroplane, there
is no doubt that the extension Of time,
IL granted, win really be advantageous
10 most persons concerned.
The signal corps would be compelled,
II Herring came Monday, to construct
another shed for his machine, as there
is no room left IN the enc occupied by
the Wright wonder. In addition TO this
work and cost, the flights Of the two
avistors might interfere to some ex-
tent There are two best periods for
flying in the twelve hours OF the day.
One Is in the morning before the wind
rises, and the other is IN the evening
at about sunset.
Mr.. Wright does not finish at Fort
Myer until September 2S, and by that
is meant that ne will probably find it
necessary TO remain here until that date
since instruction in seroplaning Of the
signal corps officers is specified in his
contract-so that ia the limited area OF
the parade grounds. there would be little
opportunity for the proper exhibition
of the two asroplanes.
II the time extension is granted. Her
ring would not come TO Fort Myer
UntiI October 13 and by then, Wright
WOdid be far away and he would have
fhe field unobstructed-both the T,arade
ground field and the field of public
opinion.
Smaller Than Wright's.
Herring's machine. as described by
those who have seen it. is a small af.
fair compared to that of the Wrights
weighs but $50 pounds. carries two light
but very powerful engines, viii make
twice the speed Wright does, Herring
says, and measures but 20 feet the
longest way and feet in width. Her
ring says he can take up two men and
travel at a rate oct exceeded by the
highest geared locomotive in the coun-
try.
Army officers, Of course. cannot COM
mens upon Herring's actions of the
morning, but they did not seem to be
greatly put out by his announcement
The Wright machine is enough to keen
everyone interested at present, and
after Wright gets through with il the
cdicers wish to learn how u fly il
themselves.