The Washington times., 1909-07-25

Orville and Wilbur Wright, champion
heRvier-than-air operators of the world,
waxed communicative this morning
when asked TO express an opinion on
the crossing Of the English Channel by
Louis BleriOt in his monOplane early
this morning. In fact, there was immi-
nent danger Of their plunging head first
into the sea Of proliXity.
1T was a great flight" said OTville.
1t was very good flight said VII
bur.
When accused OF, becoming loquacious,
Wilbur went on to say that there wasn't
any one who deserved to cross the chan
mel so much as BleTiot There are
some buffers over there. but Bleriot Is
all right. I don't know anybody who
deserves the honor more than Bleriot."
And further depOnent sayeth not.
Prof. Wil's l.. Moore, chief OF our
leading Weather Bureau. now may re-
deem himself IN the eyes of two prom
inent persons at least for the miseries
Of Inauguration week, If he'll only in
tercede with old AeOlus, the God Of the
Wynds. and see to it that only the mild
est breezes in the Aeolian collection
blow over Fort Myer and vicinity after
today.
For the very simple reason that the
Wrights' contract with the Government
should be completed by July Is, they
would be much indebted 10 Mr.. Moore
and grateful indeed If he can make the
necessary arrangements so that Monday
and Tuesday, the two work days left to
them, may be Fair with very light
northwesterly winds"
OF course no one doubts that Gen.
James Allen. chief OF the Signal Corps.
would recommend to the Secretary OF
War that an extension Of time to the
Wrights be granted. but no one doubts
either that the Wrights won't ask any
for an extension or anything else un-
less they are forced to do so.
Official Test.
Orville Wright may make an official
test tomorrow. He has never said when
he viii attempt to comply with the re-
naming clauses of his contract, but
since he has only two days Left, It is
safe to suppose that he viii do some
thing tomorrow. Only one day is absO-
lutely necessary 10 complete the con.
tract in Mr. Wrights opinion. but fol
fear of the vagaries of Mr.. Moore'I
summer brand. If opportunity comes
along In happy dress Monday, she Is
quite liable to find herself flying around
Fort Myer at the rear end Of an aero
plane.
The skid broken AT the conclusion OF
last nights fight will be repaired with
ease. The machine should be quite pre-
sentable by tomorrow afternoon or even
before that time If the brothers desire
The course OF the distance fight OF
Fort Myer TO Shooters Hin, near Alex
andria- The War Department is read5
for Mr.. Wright to- get ZIP and say Go
anytime now and all he needs TO do Is
10 notify General Allen. take some one
with him, and set out down the Pc
tOmacs the department, Providence, and
the motor being ready 70 attend to "a
other details.
Last Flight.
The flight last night was remarkable
chiefly for the unguarded statement o,
Wilbur.
Orville went up gracefully as ever q
few minutes before O'Clock. He buckeC
into a choppy wind that made his flyer
dip like a cat-boat, and several Of III.
turns were more han ordinarily thrill
ling. Everything proceeded with smooth
ness, however, and after about twenty
minutes continuous performance, WheT
Brother Wilbur waved his hat, OTvillg
came down. Ia doing so ne gave ever,
one OF the 1900 present a chance TO ses
If the lump In his own particular throat
was working. He started eaTthWard a
express train speed, making a few dip,
and then darting straight toward tbs
parade ground The machine 1T 81
hard that one Of the szids snapped.
she was going some, said Wilbur
Making about fOTty-seveu miles ar
hour" he said later
Which is going some for an aeroplaue
probably as fast as one ever has gone
Also II is going some for Wilbur pos
sibly as far as be has ever gone.