The Washington times., 1908-09-07
OrpiHe Wright Going
To Europe This Fall

Orville Wright. the aviator, will leave
this country for Europe as soon as the
tests at Fort Myer are completed, ac-
cOrding 10 statements made by friends
of the inventors today.
This is further confirmation Of the
news that foreign governments are ne
gotiating with Mr.. Wright for the rights
TO several machines
While Mr.. Wright would not discuss
the representations that he is TO sell
aeroplanes to- European nations, it is
known that re has had many offers in
the last year or two, and the announce
ment Of his coming trip to Europe is
held to be a good indication that he and
his brother, Wilbur, now in France, are
at least seriously considering the offers
Finishes September 2s.
MI Wright will finish at Fort Myer
by September >, perhaps sooner, al
though ne has until that date TO comply
with the terms OF his contract. He does
not sell the patent rights TO the ma
chine al Fort Myer,. even If he fulhlls
the Government conditions. He parts
only with the machine itself, 50 that
he can manufacture as many aero
planes as he desires. and dispose OF
them as he chooses.
Mr. Wrights Fort Myer flights have
attracted so much attention all over the
country that his services as an un-
oualffed aerOnauticaI expert have be-
come much i'm demand After the acct
dent to the stage flying machines at the
HippOdTOme TheateT, in New York, re-
Gently, Mr. Wright received a telegram
from the management Of that theater
asking him 10 come TO New York.
his services were supposedly asked
that he might not only show what was
wrong with the stage machines, but also
instruct those operating them in some
OF the Sner points OF air navigation. He
declined the offer. partly, he said, be-
cause ae feared the -theaLer manage
ment would make advertising capital
out Of ais presence.
Did Not Go to Fort.
Mr. Wright did not go out to Fort
Myer this morning, as he had intended.
but said that he would probably fly
this afternoon. and as the wind was
growing less strong each hour in the
afternoon. It is thought likely that
another flight will be made.
No word has been received as yet by
the Signal Corps officers IN charge OF
the tests, as 10 whether or not A NJ.
Herring inventor and builder of a
Observation-Disclosures machine, who has a
contract with the Government, is com
ing to Fort Myer.
Mr.. Herring was to have appeared
at the post on August l3 but some
weeks ago he obtained an extension un-
til September l3, which means that he
will have to report not later than one
week from today.
With the tearing down of the balloon
tent used formerly 10 house the Baldwin
dirigible and lately to cover the Wright
aerOpiane changes in the skyscape sur
roundings on the parade ground are
but beginning.
Aeroplane Shed Completed.
The shed covering the Wright ma
chine has been completed, several Of
the Signal Corps tents have been shift
ed, and 1t Is probable that tent will
be erected for the newspaper men or
one Of those already up will be turned
over 70 the writer's
If Mr. Herring does show up it is
probable that the Signal Corps will have
to do some more building. as the shed
housing the Wright machine is Just
large enough to permit its entrance
with a few inches TO spare
Lieut.. Benjamin d. FOulOis viii leave
tomorrow morning for St Joseph, No,
where, with squad of men he will eX-
hibit the Baldwin diriglble. 1t IS be
neved by army officers that such an
exhibition Of the ability of man TO navi-
gate the air viii do more TO convince
the Middle West that this nation needs
more battleships and stronger army
than any other thing.
wall Get Battleships.
If" said an officer this morning,
those people see a few airships floating
about over their heads it win put the
fear Of God in their hearts. and they
won't ask their members OF Congress to
oppose army and navy legislation"
Charles r. Flint. vice president and
general manager of the Electric Boat
Company of New Jersey, which was
investigated by Congress at the sugges-
IiOu Of Representative George l. Liliey
of Connecticut, was IN Washington yes
teTday, and said that he Is now nego-
tiating with foreign governments for
Wright aeroplanes.
He said that several governments are
after these machines. Mr. Wright would
not discuss the statement today.