The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
WIND TOO FRISKY
TO PERMIT FLIGHT
But 0rVille Expected to Go
Up Till Sunset.
ARMY MEN THERE WITH BAND
Orphans Join the Crowd of the Curl
Gus Who Insist Upon Seeing q
Heavier-than-air ship sail over
Fort Myer-Herring Granted Time
I'm Which to Try His Machine.

A wind varying from sixteen to twenty
I've miles an hour kept the Wright aero
plane in the shed at Fort Myer all yes
terday. and throughout the afternoon
kept a crowd OF 1850 persons standing
around in vain expectation OF a flight.
That Orville expects 10 go UP as soon
as the weather gives him a chance, is
shown by the fact that both he and Wilbur
stayed in the aeroplane shed until clos
llg-up time, at $50 o'clock, on the chance
that the wind might drop. At times a
small sized gale blew. which fell al other
times TO gentle zephyrs. that revived the
hopes Of the crowd. It was puffy. though
and hckle. and after each luu the quarrel
broke out afresh. with the calm no nearer
az hand
A number or Representatives journeyed
out TO the fort and some Of them were
admitted to the shed and the privacy Of
the aviators. OF the eminent men of the
day before, Secretary OF War Dickinson
and John Barrett. director OF the Inter
national Bureau OF the American Repub-
lies, were the only repeaters.
Sized Things Up.
the grounds, gallOped around on his horse
for a while, sizing things Up and giving
directions for the clearing Of the field in
case Wilbur stopped crossing his fingers.
In his hand the major carried something
that looked like red feather duster. To
the undisciplined and irreverent eve n
was not evident whether the tickler was
sign OF authority or to keep of the
flies. II was cute little thing. though,
any way you looked at IT.
Probably on the theory that music
hath charms 70 sOothe the savage beast.
the army men had the band on the job.
so that ali through the afternoon il any
casual maledictiOn sprang 10 the tip OF
dusty tongue Il was lost on a food OF
harmony from the north end OF the field.
The usual precedent governing the work
ing hours Of the band had 70 be stretched
BIT 10 have il play on Saturday after
noon. but II showed that the army men
mean well. even II they did draw a bob
tail hand when they invited Congress
out 10 see a flight.
a new class Of persons Joined the ranks
Of the willing walters yesterday after
noon. They were not lawmakers. or So
ciety people. or scientists. or military
personages Il they could be classified
al all, they would have 10 be placed
among the merely curious.
They were orphans, about fifteen of
them, and the youngest was not less than
three years old and the Oldest not more
than FIVE years young. In charge OF two
representatives OF the orphanage from
which they came. they sat on a long piece
Of wood back a little way from the aero
plane shed. With not Two inches differ
ence in their heights. and their heights
nothing 10 brag about from the vulgar
standpoint Of quantity, they reminded
one Of the ditJy about Ten Little In
luns,' or OF row OF turtles on q log
Question as 90 Sex.
sented among them did not appear from
their costumes. which were alike in every
detail. even TO the cloth suspenders cross
Ing over their shoulders. Trousers and
shirts were Of blue gingham. and there
was nothing doing when il came 20 coats
and hats.
Secretary Of War Dickinson yesterday
decided TO grant 10 A n. Herring, The
New York aeroplane inventor, an exten-
sion Of time until August l IN which 10
aeliver his aerOplane 70 the Signal Corps.
Mr.. Herring was under contract 20 fur
nish his machine by July :. but failed 70
appear He sent word 10 the War De-
partment that he had been sick and un-
able 10 attend to his business. He asked
an extension until August Is.
Wind and weather are the only things
standing in the way OF a fight OF the
Wright aerOplane any day this week, ex-
cept to-day. II the tree tops here In the
city are minding their own business along
about O'Clock IN the afternoon. Il Is
safe chance that Orville VIII be cut
ting circles out at Fort Myer inside OF
a hour