New-York tribune., 1909-09-28
NO FLIGHT TN THE RAIN
WRIGHT DECLINES RISK.
Both AUiatOrs VIII Probably Make
AscenSiOnS TO-day.

1t is believed that aerOplane flights from Cover
nor's Island will begin at an early hour to-day. II
there had been little Iet-up in the rain yesterday
Wilbur Wright would have flown. He did not say
that he would have flown far away. never to re-
turn to the saturated sands of the desert on Gov
ernor's Island.
He appeared not only willing but anxious 10 go
of somewhere. though. and try to start an aerial
desert of his There were reasons that enabled
the charitably inclined to excuse him. Because
many times in his life the aviator has been close
TO clouds, the opinion seemed to be prevalent that
Mr. Wright was the most reliable source for inside
weather information.
when do you think It win stop raining so that
you can fly Mr.. Wright?'' was asked several hun
dred times during the day.
Il don't think IL will rain much Ionger-after Il
decides to quit. was one of his replies that bright
ened the gloom caused by disappointment. and
again proved that whatever the atmospheric condi-
tons might be- he could still be dry.
Don't you think II viii stop raining soon? MY
little boy Is so anxious to see you up inquired
fashionably gowned woman at 2:3O o'clock.
Yes. don't think IL WILL but we will do our
best" he answered.
rs IT the wind rain that keeps you from
hyingF was familiar query by those who wanted
specific data for magazines and letters home as TO
the present status Of aviation a science.
THE wind to-day would bother me-" Mr.
wright said' "and could go up in this rain IL put
TO It, But do not feel put to II. 1 flew in France
IN the rain because some Russian noblemen had
could not wait over. The first flight 1 ever made
was in a twenty-fve-mie wind. Neither expert
ence pleasant"
Al O'Clock In the morning. when the sun was
bright Mr.. Wright in his aeroplane shed and
early visitors and reporters were alive to the poss
oHIles TOT the making of aeronautic history.
AVIATOR SEEKS CANOE.
II am going over to town to pick out a canoe"
he said an hour later. Il won't need it, but have
an Idea and am going to try it on my machine,
lie was hasty In his Judgment for once. at least
by the time he returned TO the island canoe was
In sympathy with the scenery
As the hours dripped by and the Statua oF TJh
erty became almost lost to view in the gray OF the
steady downpour there no diminution In the
number OF persons who peered through the doors Of
the shed and listened intentIy to the quiet answer
OF Mr. Wright when he came outside and cast his
weather eye at the heavens Small launches
anchored near the starting grounds and large
steamers crowded with spectators waited on the
west side OF the island. At o'clock a message was
received by one Of the army officers from the Sim
ger building. saying:
Please instruct what signal TO nv Broad
way Is blocked" Along the edge of Battery Park
huhdreds or glistening umbrellas informed of the
patience Of the areoplane hungry
Al z;O6 p m. Mr.. Wright walked alone without
an umbrella. to the centre Of the large sand Mot
"here earlier In the day he had laid his nonorail
IL was understood that he had gone TO feel the
ar lie ran back 20 the shed. That was a sure
sign he would soon RISE It was whispered ex-
citetly.
What are the chances?" was chorused
Jonah would be in his element but YOU boys
may as well go home" he said
VIII you make that official Mr. Wright"
lou "ouidh | believe me IL did" he answered
'V 4ouhd only one newspaper man so far who
would take me at my word l have a bad rep,,ta-
ton. The man speak Of was from Paris V-ber
ne came to lie Mans told him / wouldn't nv for
Se'eFai days He went hIme. saved shoe leather
and rested. and wrote the best stories that an
peared about my foreign flights He didn't see
any OF them" "
When O'Clock came Mr.. Wright said he would
give up all Idea OF flying until o'clock to-day.
CURTIss MAY START. TOO.
Mr.. Curtiss did not appear M the sro,,,,.
uay' and II was said by Slim" his cbIaF r,aL
. thSt PROBABLY the aviator from Haumo1ds
F''' "ouiu Teach New York early to-day and and
ing MS machine ready. make the first Aigb. 90 ~
celebration. Mr. Curtss is fond 90 a. % ~ -"
thihgs as near dawn possible while Mr. VyrtaLt
mas never shown any special regard since his 80
''es' 'ilas Tor sky spin before the usual business
Office hours begin
The Curtiss flyer which 10 h,,s.. -, .
rect from the Wright shed Is a corntor,t s ny
ntt when CurtsS used in his record aipbts ~
s1ilel'4s ana Hrescia. But it is euuipned Si,S a.
IuuT-CyIlhder water cooled motor fpstaa5
eight-cylinder motor used abroad u ~ VI the
appearance than the Wright aeroplane ht S
not look so heavy or so stro, % I'Hle' out does |
chine 90 tue Iatter ma |
Among those who visited the aeroplanas
russell A. Alger. of the former S.. was
""' OF be'roit the first purchaser Of a w. 1
aerop'ane IN this country. Wright toId A,.-
uiu not mink II was likely he wouId ,al, -, so
one win him during his flights here hut 20 - S @
1Asei "ould De the man to go CurtIss on accoa-
OF the small size OF his machine ana tn e.''H -S
motor probably Will not take up a passepge- .. -
said. E@SeHser' II Is
The interest OF the throngs to see him ~, ho,.
Mr. Wright said: - "eins
Il don't pretend 20 cater 10 tho r,,,,-
tell you why. My life is nv own 90 iu ! "
hands. The crowds which come 10 see mo -. - .HS
ictuated mainly by a desire TO see Z, o.ot,. r |
noticed in France the day after nv brotbor
'iiie' was injured. the crowd was three tir,a. = |
arg" as the day before. I'll make flights b,,, -, |
because the public is camorIng nor v,h. -
'rowds are large but when get good and read,,
RAIN AFFECTS MACHINE.
Naturally the rain soaks the clock
planes. When they dried afterward ,bo,. '-e , OF,
tighten and break away from the Trsir, |
There Is no need of my running that r,oL w. ~
100 much as 1t used 20 be In the Rornor - -
Arena patrons hissed then when the perforrners -
,aped unhurt" es-
The Hudson Fulton Commission. ms vau -. A.. |
officials Oh Governors Island Is anxioMs 80
emphasize that until the official aeropIona 0IA, |
begin. which are scheduled for to-morro,r -, I"
nails of any kind will be given ar ap - ~ ~ Sis-
tons around town. Such flights as the u-o..S" 81
To-day will permit will be of a DreI,y,,r t
acter merely. GUAR
me stations from which audible and ,is,aI .,- \
haiS WIZ announce what Is going 20 take DIacs |
"hen the Official flights begin are the Singer RuI11
hs' metropolitan. Tower. the Times Building the |
d I ooAlyn Eagle Building. the Brooklyn tower of