The Washington herald., 1909-06-24

Enete Washington seems 10 be a bit
blase about the Wright brothers and the
mechanical bird they are setting up at
Fort N1yer In spite OF the fact that IN
the nature Of things the coming tests 70
qualify for the government contract
should bring out the greatest crowd that
has ever witnessed such a performance
Ia America-and it may do II at that
the advance interest IS not all that might
be expected by any means.
OF the hundred or 50 persons who drift
out 70 the fort every day 70 see the
brothers at work, It Is safe 10 say that
at least half Of them are particularly in
terested men, who have come 10 Washing
ton for no other purpose than 70 see the
new-fangled device that lifts more than
its own weight from the ground and de-
scribes evolutions in the air al will The
Washington public is not standing on its
head. In fact, Il Is standing pat'' IN an
attitude OF experienced ennU, and is
waiting for the big show 10 be announced
definitely before Il braves the dust and
the blazing sun OF the parade ground at
Fort Myer.
And al this Is in spite OF the fact that
the two Wright brothers are queer speci-
mems and a lot more appreciated in
Europe than they are IN their native
country. The fame OF Orville Wright for
the things he has done here has already
gone 10 the other side OF the world and
.esconced him in a position OF eminence.
Wilbur Wright who has given the out
ward and visible sign o. his genius IN
France, has been placed o. a pedestal
in that land OF absinthe and sentimental
ity- They swear by him over there. The
romance Of HIS showing cards and spades
70 their emperors and kings and presl-
dents has ticlcled their sense OF the UNIT
ness Of things. and they have given him
a relatively high place in their Brad
streets and Dunn's Of the invenJing pro-
fession.
But over here. II seems 10 be different
he comes and goes as he lists. Orville.
says the Washington public, is going 20
90 fhe flying ergo. II We must talk OF
one OF them, let Us, fOrsOOLh, talk OF
Orvile. And so It goes
The principal development OF yester-
day was an extension Of thirty days 20
the Wright brothers BY the War Depart
aerOplane. and the completion Of the ofti-
c-al tests. This does not mean their
plans have been Unexpectedly delayed. or
that they are going 10 postpone their
flights unnecessarily.
on the contrary. The understanding IS
they are 70 proceed with their prepara-
uons with al possible dispatch The ex-
tension OF time was granted a. their re-
quest 20 provide for delays they could
not anticipate. such as those caused by
wind and weather. and Others II connec-
ton with the adjustment Of their ma
chine.
The latest prOphesy on the time OF the
tests is that they viii probably be started
Saturday II the weather is propitious
There IS no chance Of a fight to-day.
Tomorrow they might ind II convenient
10 seek the regions OF the upper air But
the earliest probable date is Saturday.
In case Of inclement weather. the exten-
sion Of time allows the brothers to post
pone their flights until next week
Exhibitions TO Be Free.
Gen. James Alien. chief signal oficer
Of the army, announced yesterday in
reply 10 inquiries that there viii be no
admission charge 70 the grounds at Fort
AIyer during the fights. The public can
see everything that IS gong on without
paying d cent. Especial provision viii
be made for the policing Of the parade
ground, on account Of the large assemb-
lsge that IS expected
The work Of the Wright brothers on
the aerOplane yesterday made very little
apparent difference in the appearance Of
the machine. Beyond the fitting OF the
transmission chains 10 the sprOckets dTlv-
ing the propellers. most OF the time was
spent in detail work.