Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-28


ing Orville Wright will make the supreme
lest of the present government trials of
his aeroplane. Everything is in readi-
ness for the dash TO Alexandria and
back. and unless the most adverse
weather conditions prevail the flight will
be made this evening At 70 O'Clock to-
night the time limit will expire, and the
wrights do not desire to ask for an
other extension, even though it is well
known that the War Department officials
viii grant 1t to them if necessary. The
test this evening will be speed trial
The aeroplane must fly over a measured
course of five miles and return: must
carry two persons. the aviator and a pas
senger, whose combined weight must be
at least $50 pounds, and enough fuel for
a journey of 125 miles. and must main
tain an average speed of at least thirty
six miles an hour.
The speed called for in the contract is
forty miles, and for every mile over that
up to and including forty-four bonus
of 10 per cent of the contract price,
$4,000, will be awarded and for every
mile under forty there is a 10 per cent
penalty
Trip Full of Dangers.
Although the judges and nearly every
one else express great confidence in the
chances of Orville's success, the fight
this evening will be fraugnt with several
dangers, according to the opinion of those
well informed on the conditions. 1t is
over rough country, the geographical
conditions of which have not been tried
by Orviile Wright or any other aeronaut
in heavier-than-air machine. The Signal
Corps officers. including Lieut. Foulois.
have frequently covered the course in
1.nll It,t
TWO classes of air craft are radically diff
ferent. and Lieut.. Foulois, who will ac-
company Oryille as a passenger. will not
he able TO give any verbal suggestions
during the flight because of the noise of
the engine and propellers. The rough
ground. with alternating hills and valleys
causes many erratic air currents that ha We
more or less influence on the bplane.
The elevation varies from about 30 to
20 feet. As far as possible Orvile will
keep the machine over fields so as to
have good landing if necessary. The
problem of forced descent is rega rded
by the army officers as serious one, as
there are many scattered houses. barns,
ciumps of trees and other obstacles in
the course.
Foulois' First Aeroplane Trip.
II will be Lieut.. Foulois' first trip in
an aeroplane, although he has had much
experience IN balloons and dirigibles. Or
confidence in him. however, and not the
slightest fear of danger because the most
difficult test he has vet undertaken will
be a maiden" trip for his passenger.
Although the caution OF the Wright
brothers is a byword. many who are
studying the flights carefully have ex-
pressed the opinion that this evening
which marks the expiration of his time
limit. Orville will take slightly greater
chances with the wind than he would do
otherwise. and that herein lies ele-
ment o. danger.
The Wrights have on more than one
occasion expressed their appreciation of
the dangers in the cross-country flight
from Fort Myer TO Alexandria, and it is
because they did not care to take any
unnecessary risks that Oryille decided
not to make the trip until he had to In
order to fulfill his contract with the gov
ernment Ii was the same line of rea-
soning that induced Orville after his ex-
perience of last September, not to take
mp a passenger with him until the en-
durance test had 10 he made.
"Orville Wright will have to take
chance today. and he's going to do II.
and come out with laurels. just as he
did yesterday remarked one of the
army officers at Fort Myer this morn
ing.
As the distance to be covered this
evening is only a little more than ten
miles. the actual test will not last much
more than fifteen minutes. The machine
is likely TO make the ten-rnfle dash any
time from ) O'Clock until dark. although
tire time generally announced Is g O'Clock.
Entitled to Three Trials.
The Wrights are entitled to three trials
on the speed test but if the cross-country
run is once started and a landing has
to he made ii Is said to be doubtful IL
sanother flight could he made this even
Ing. Orville Wright will probably circle
engine and give Lieut.. Foulois a chance
Ia get accustomed tn his surroundings be-
fore they start on the cross-country dash
The course will be south from the pa
rade ground at Fort Myer to Shutters
lIill west of Alexandria. where the end
continued on Tenth Pagc)