The Washington herald., 1909-10-10
Scientific.

After having waited over n week for
favorable weather conditions for his off,
cial test flight during the Hudson-Fulton
celebration in New York, Wilbur Wright
last Monday morning made good" by
navigating his aeroplane from Governors
iSls'tG. up the Hudson, over the tunnels
of the war ships with their up-rushing
currents OF air, and past the air eddies
from the big slSyscrapers. TO a point op-
posite Grants Tomb and back amid the
cheers Of multitudes OF people along the
shores and the chorus OF harbor craft
whistles. He ahghted without lar only
few feet from the starting point. This
flight fulfilled the conditions Of the cele-
bration contract. and made an interest
ing scientific demonstration to navy men
or the capacity OF the Wright machine
TO carry destructive bombs directly over
the big war ships. Later the same dav.
as the aviator was about to make a
second flight. TO do bigger stunts in the
air about New York, the blowing out
Of cylinder head put his machine out
Of commission and narrowly missed
Wright. This illustrated anew the vari-
ETY. Of dangers under which the art of
flying is. as yet practiced Mr.. Wright
flight for some time, and that neither
ne nor his brother, Orville wished 20 be
regarded as showmen. They would here
after confine their flying to instruction
OF others under contract and TO the scien-
tific experimentation with new improve
ments.
At Potsdam. Germany, on October ?.
Orville Wright had driven his biplane
far above the highest point yet attained
by aeroplanes. namely. to the altitude of
1,6O0 feet. in the presence of a multitude
Of people. among whom was the German
crown prince. Such was the confidence
felt after that demonstration that the
Emperor permitted the crown prince to
go with Wright as a passenger for
ten-minute flight at an altitude OF sixty
feet. IL took the machine fifteen minutes
to climb to the maximum height, but
the descent was made at terrific speed
in five minutes.
Upon the suggestion OF President Os-
born. of the American Museum OF Nat
ural History. and President Huntington.
Of the American Geographical Society.
President Remsen. Of Johns Hopkins.
who is also head Of the National
Academy Of Sciences, wrote both Com
mander Peary and DR.. Cook that the
dCdueLny WOulu pe pleaSed 70 Judge OF
any data concerning their polar explora-
lions that they desired to submit. This
invitation was at once accepted by Peary,
but was declined by Cook on the ground
that he had promised to submit his
data first to the University OF Copen-
hagen, after which they would be open
to all the scientific societies OF the world.
About the same time, the National Geo
graphic Society OF Washington. invited
both Peary and Cook 90 submit their
data TO a scientific commission. II de-
cided 10 print the records Of both ex-
plorers. While in Washington last Sun
day, DIR. Cook announced that he was
willing to submit his data 10 the Ameri-
can scientific men simultaneously with
that OF the Danish university, provided
that the findings should be made public
at the same time. DR.. Cook was accord
ed a most enthusiastic and official re-
ception in Washington, where he de-
livered lecture. the District Commits
sioners taking part In the welcome ex-
tended. Similarly cordial receptions were
given TO DR.. Cook at Pittsburg and Bal
timore. The Peary Arctic Club read