The sun., 1909-06-28
THE WRIGHTSMAY YFLY TO-DAY
BUT THEY WILL NOT MAKE
ANY DEFINITE PROMISE.
They Have Put In Solid Week OF llntir.
inE Work With the Assistance Of Their
Mechanic and Three Army Lieuten.
ants-The AerOpIane Put Together.

WASHINGTON. June a. After a solid
week of untiring work. during which they
exuded sweat and seriousness, the Wright
brothers. Wilbur and Orville, will fly at
Fort Myer tomorrow probably. The
Wrights will never be definite as to when
they will take their aeroplane up in the
air. Sometimes they will go 80 far as to
say that there will be no flight until SUI ch
and such a day. but they always qualify
their information by a statement that II
conditions are right then they may try.
Being an aviator in such weather as has
prevailed for the last week is not pleasant
even with hundreds Of people standing in
the hot sun watching you work, while pho
tographers and reporters lurk about wait
ing for the gasolene tank to catch on fire
or something exciting to happen. There
was no relief from the suns rays during
the last week on the dust covered drill
ground at Fort Myer. The aeroplane
shed. built this spring. is wooden anair'
rather flmsS and covered with paper
Both ends are entirely open when the
swinging doors are unlocked and swung
out. There is plenty OF air, but 1T has
been mighty hot inside nevertheless
Wilbur and Orville Wilbur comes first
in the naming because he is the older
and apparently the boss-go out to Fort
Myer early in the morning and set 70
work Immediately. They are assisted
mainly by Charles f. Taylor. their me-
chanic, who apparently knows as much
about the machine as they do. Three
young army ieutenants. Lahm,. Fulols
and Humphreys, stand around and watch
sometimes lending helping hand. Or
vile Wright takes of his coat. but goes
r,... Ia,
Portable. Wilbur gets out of his coat
and then strips himself Of collar and tie
and looks as IL he might like to go even
further. Whether he Is better as an aero
planer than Orville is a question. but he
can look lott hotter. his shiny bald head
doing much to help out in this respect
The aeroplane has been put together
middle of the shed. The two brothers
start in their morning work by going
over the engine, adjusting bolts, wires
and screws. From the rear of the ma
chine protrude the two great propellers,
made OF wood and painted aluminium
color. Orville Wright gets his can OF oil,
bunch Of waste and his tools and leans
one propeller and Taylor the other. The
engine started or cranked up by a sharp
pun on the propeller. Wilbur and Taylor
take hold OF an end of their respective
propellers Orville stands ready to
handle the engine.
Ready. Orville?" asked Wilbur.
All right
-One, two. three says Wilbur. with
each word pulling the propeller, down
ward with slight jerk. Taylor does the
same. With three they both give one
hard pull downward and the propeller
flies around. and the engine goes pop
pop-poppity-pop-poP; that Is. II It goes at
all. Sometimes 1t does not. and Orville
tinkers with the ignition or something.
Then Wilbur and Taylor go through the
same performance until finally the engine
goes. The propellers whirl rapidly and
as the engine gains speed the propellels
act as large fans. Coats hung on the wall
Of the shed dance in the lively breeze.
Wilbur and Taylor inhale large quantities
of the refreshing air, while Orville sweats
over the engine. The framework OF the
aeroplane. set on the solid floor, vibrates
until 1t seems that something must break
or give way.