The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-07-29

So many are the inventors Of air
ships and aeroplanes to-day, so numer-
GUS the experiments in aeronauucs
and so frequent the flights Of venture
some pilots Of at least partially sue
cessful airships, that scarcely has the
record made by one man grown cold
ere a new record Is waiting to be
chalked Up on the score card. The
rivalry between these men for the
solution OF the secret Of air navigation
is indeed warm, and the interest Of the
public is growing keener every day.
Europe few years ago had a long
lead in the new sport, or scientific
study, whichever you may choose to
consider II, but America is making
long strides ii the art Of balloon MAX
ing and balloon sailing, and may yet
be the land In which the secret Of sue
cessful and practical airship nayiga-
tion is discovered, for not only is she
eager to learn all that the experts OF
other lands can teach her. but she is
making investigations along lines
Of her own.
Delagrange, the famous French avi-
ator, who has been making successful
longdistanee aeroplane flights in diff
ferent parts OF Europe. will, 1t is said
visit America some time this summer
This may give increased impetus to
the Wright brothers IN their efforts to
solve the problem Of the heavier than
air airship.
On August Is the United States war
department will begin the first official
test Of gasless flying machines at
Fort Myer Va. These are Of incalcu-
liable Importance, because If the flying
machines do all the government has
laid out for them 70 do it will simply
be a question Of turning out machines
rapidly enough to meet the demand
IN the development and use Of diri-
glble balloons the European govern.
ments have surpassed lis by leaps and
bounds, but in the realm Of mechanical
flight we are a long way In the lead.
Prof. Langley. the Wright brothers. "A.
BI. Herring. O. Chanute and other
Americans progressively discovered
and developed the basic principles Of
the heavier than air machine. and men
like Delagrange and Farman Of France
have only adopted what our inventors
worked out.
Two flying machines will 80 into the
arena at Fort Myer One Of them was
built by the Wright brothers and is
being guarded day and night in their
factory n Dayton o. The other built
by A. M. Herring, Is locked up in the
builders laboratory in Philadelphia
About week before the trials the
machines win be shipped to Fort Myer,
where they will be set up and begin
iockeying for the final heats. Both
builders will have large tents, or aero.
dromes, erected near the grounds in
which TO house their machines. for the
trials win last 30 days or more.
The machines will be tested for dis
tanee, speed, endurance and in every
other function requisite for servieeable
scouting ships In actual warfare A
fve.mile rectangular course will be
measured of, and a commission named
by the war department will act as
judges.
The Wrights will receive $4,000 fol
their machine, II It makes 40 miles an
hour. and 10 per cent. additional FOL
every mile better than that speed Fol
every mile under 40, a reduction Of ter
per cent will be made down to 81
miles an hour, and II it fails below that
record 1t win be rejected. Herring !:
to receive $4,000. with the same
conditions Of increase and deduction
But this is not the only big offer d
prize money for the successful air
ship. The Michelin brothers ~ France
have offered 100000 francs tabou
$50 2,00O) for a long fight Of the aero
plane. In a letter to the president o
the Aero club Of France the Miehehni
offer a cup and special prize to b,
bestowed upon an apparatus heavier
than air which fulfills the following
conditions
Annual Cup-Each year before Jan
,.aY.s Q4 favaanf fnr the wear 1QneA In.
Aero club shall fix the program Of til,
contest, which shall close the first o
January following. It shall decide thu
dimensions Of the track, the turning
points, the heights. etc, and al tn
conditions under which the fight
viii have to take place along thu
track, which must be a closed r-rcle
The winner Is % be the flyer who b.