Evening star., 1909-06-21
WR|GHTS MAKE READY
Expect to Make Final Test
Wednesday or Thursday.
FLY TOWARD ALEXANDRIA
Speed Trial Is to Be From Fort
Myer and Return.
COURSE MARKED BY BALLOONS
First Long Flight to Be Attempted
Over Uneven Country-No Word
Heard From Herring.
FLY TOWARD ALEXANDRIA
COURSE MARKED BY BALLOONS

The Wright brothers. who arrived in
Washington yesterday afternoon, went TO
Fort Myer early this morning took their
coats off and went to work to finish as
sembling the aeroplane that they are
under contract to deliver to the govern
ment before the first of next month.
They arrived quietly yesterday. and
stopped at the Raleigh. They received
some friends at the hotel, called on Prof
Albert Zahm at the Cosmos Club, and
went to bed early. This morning by
o clock they were at work at Fort Myee.
1t is not likely. from the looks of the ma
chine now. that there will be flight be-
fore Wednesday or Thursday. There
seems no reason that with good weather
the official trials should not be finished in
a single day. 1t is probable, however,
that there will be at least one tuning-up
fight, and the two sections of the official
trial will possibly occupy different days.
The most severe test of the machine will
be for speed. This will be over meas
ured course of five miles out and five
miles back. The general belief is that
this course will be from the fort toward
Alexandria and return. Maj. Squier and
afternoon 20 consult with the Wrights
about the course. The ends of the course
will be marked with captive balloons, and
these have already been secured.
Expects 40 Miles an Hour.
Orvile Wright said when he was here
recently that the long flight will be the
first that heavier -than-air machine has
ever made over such broken country as
that around Fort Myer. Except for the
moral effect that it has on the operator,
il, of course, makes little difference what
sort of country is crossed. but 1t VIII
have the practical effect of tending TO
reduce the speed. as there is nothing in
| the upper air TO mark a level course. and
the natural tendency of the operator Will
be to follow the inequalities of the ground
and make the course longer than ii there
were something to guide him.
| Mr.. Wright was asked about the speed
that they expected from the new machine
and replied with a smile:
| We'll, we expect to go forty miles an
hour. OF course. if We are going faster
than that we will not try 10 slow down '
| The contract for the machine calls for
one capable of making forty miles an
hour. The price is $4,000. The machine
will be accepted at reduced speed down
TO thirty-six miles, but will be penalized
]! 10 per cent for every mile under the con-
tract speed. On the other hand there
| will be a bonus of 10 per cent for every
mile in excess of forty up to forty-four.
The endurance test will not be over a
measured course, but will be simply for
remaining aloft with a passenger for one
nour. This will break all records for
two-man flight. but there is little doubt
| felt that the machine will be capable or
this.
New Board of Judges.
There will be a new board of officers
to Judge the performance of the machine
this year 1t will consist of Maj George
O. Squier, Maj. c. NICK. Saltzman. c. S.
Wallace Capt c. de F. Chandler, Lieuts.
Frank P. Lahm, Benjamin D. Foulois
and c. H. HUMPHREYS and Lieut.. Com
| mander Charles Sweet. U. S. \.
There will be detail of cavalry on the
grounds at Fort Myer to keep the drill
grounds clear of spectators. Otherwise
| there will be no attempt to keep away
| any one who wants to watch the fights.
| 1t has not yet been determined where the
starting rail for the machine Will re
| placed but it probably will be at the
| north end of the field about as 1t was
| last year.
| The drill ground is rather cramped
compared with the fields over which VIII
| bur Wright has been flying abroad. and
| since a new car line has been laid on the
| east the ground is now entirely sur
rounded with trolley wires Ihere nao
| been telephone wire run across the
| field also to the aeroplane shed. but this
was removed today at the request of the
Wrights. This would possibly Indicate
that the flights will be madesclose to the
ground.
No members of the Wright family have
come to Washington SO far except tne
two brothers. but IL Is possible that Miss
Wright or Bishop Wright may be here
before the end of the week.
| The War Department has heard nothing
further from A NJ Herring, the other
contractor for heavier-than.alr ma
chine and 1t is not known whether or
not he will attempt to fulfill his contract
| with the government. He has till the
first of July to complete his tests.