Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-06-29
WRlGHTS FAILED TO FLY,
THOUSANDS DISAPPOINTED.
Brisk Winds and Threatening Clouds
Prevented Yesterdays Unofficial
Trial Flight at Fort Myer.

Washington, June 2s-Owing to a
strong wind this afternoon, the Wright
! brothers failed to make Stheir expected
flight at Fort Myer Yhey thus have
further evidence of their disregard for
public criticism when the caution they
exercise in all of their aviation die
tates such course.
Although the senate set aside the
tariff bill to allow its members to wit
ness a flight of the aeroplane, and
senators and several thousands others
sizzled in the hot sun on the Fort
Myer drill grounds, the Wrights de-
cided that the wind was too strong
and too uncertain for a flight with a
new and untried machine.
Fully expecting to make a prelim-
mary trial Of the flying machine, Or
vile Wright early today notified Cen
eral James Allen, the chief signal Of
ficer, that he intended to make an un-
official trial flight after o'clock this
afternoon. AS a result long before the
hour named a large crowd of people
went out to the army post on the Po-
tomac, opposite Washington. At $50
o'clock the field was cleared by a
squad of cavalry and everything was
made ready for fight. A little earlier
Orville had come to Washington to
meet his father, Bishop Milton Wright,
of Dayton, and his brother, Ruchlin, of
Kansas, who has never seen his broth
ers fly.
Wilbur Wright carefully inspected
the starting track and the two brothl
ers with their mechanic, Taylor, made
a final examination of the aeroplane,
which was then wheeled across the
field from the shed to the starting ap-
paratus at the northern END of the
field.
1t was then o'clock and a brisk
wind had sprung up from the west
Heavy storm clouds appeared upon the
horizon and when a few scattering
drops of rain began to fall the crowd
began to fear that conditions were not
favorable for flight. The word came
however. that OrvilIe did not mind hy-
ing in the rain, but that the wind was
the objectionable feature.
Then the clouds veered to the south
and the wind died out. Everything
appeared to be in readiness for the
trial when fresh wind began blowing
from the south.
Orville Wright. who had been walk
ing about rather nervously, thought
that the unsettled weather conditions
would prevent a flight. The officers of
the signal corps, the balloon detach-
ment and the cavalry guard were the
only persons permitted on the field
except a corps Of photographers who
had obtained the consent of the Wright
brothers to snap the machine as it
went down to the starting track Will
bur Wright, in looking for the operator
of a picture machine, the use of which
he desired to prevent neared the i'm
patient crowd. In his peculiar, 1ocund
manner he remarked that he usually
put his machine away when the crowds
in France were fretful. But a number
of senators requested him to let them
examine the machine at close range.
and that was the opening wedge for a
large number of senators, representa-.
tives and other prominent spectators
to get near the MACHINE to inspect it
closely. To avoid being questioned.
the Wrights retired to the aeroplane
shed until the privileged few had
again been ordered off the field.
The wind showing no signs of abat-
ing at $50 o'clock, Wilbur turned to
Taylor, the Wrights' mechanic. and
said: We'll. l guess you had better
run her back to the she'd"
Greatly disappointed, the crowd dis
persed.