The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-08-01
GOVERNMENT IS
SATISFIED WITH
WRIGHTS' PLANE
Chief Signal Corps Officer Says
Machine viii Be AC-
Cepted.
AVIATOR COULD HAVE
SAILED EVEN FASTER
INVENTORS RECEIVE BONUS FOR
EXCEEDING SPEED OVER
CONTRACT REQUIREMENT.

Washington, July 31.-Orville Wright
travelled 47431 miles an hour in his
flight yesterday in returning from the
Alexandria end of the course at Fort
Myer. This is the official report made
by the trial board at the war depart
ment today. His speed to Alexandria
IRON the Fort Myer end of the course
was 3l.1S5 miles an hour, making the
average 1858. The Wright brothers
will receive $50, 900 for their aeroplane.
So.UuO OF which is the bonus for excess
Of speed over the contract requirement.
A. NJ. Herring, the HammOndsport
y. " inventor, who is under contract
to furnish an aeroplane to the govern
ment, has written to General James
Allen, chief signal officer. that he will
not be able TO deliver the machine until
Sept. 1. His contract expired today. The
signal office officials are opposed to any
further extension of time to Mr.. Her
ring, and unless some good reason is
advanced for changing their present at
titude. viii so inform him.
Everything is satisfactory, said Cen
eral Allen, chief signal officer today,
and the Wright aerOplane will be ac-
cepted by the government. Orville
Wright and Miss Katherine Wright
contemplate going TO Dayton, O., at
once, while Wilbur expects to follow
lnem tomorrow.
Available for Warfare.
Wrights great flight has made a deep
impression on the army and navy Of
fiCials They contend the accomplish
ment of the cross-cOuntry flight demon
strated the availability of the aeroplane
for use in warfare.
Although they were there for the
purpose Of timing the aerOplane as II
crossed and re-crossed the mark, the
officers stationed at Shutters hill, the
southern end of the course, were taken
by surprise when the aeroplane was
discovered flying in their direction. The
manner in which the flying machine
was lost to view from Fort Myer, and
then the rapidity with which it re-
turned there after 1t was sighted above
the crest of a hill. was merely another
hint Of the possibilities of the prac-
teal use of the aeroplane by the army
or navy.
THE great advantage Of an aeroplane
over a balloon for use in warfare is
that it can fly low over a rough cOun-
try" said Wilbur Wright today. thus
having objects on the ground in plain
view Orvilie demonstrated that yes
terday. The speed at which he was
travelling, with the small exposed sur
face Of the aer0plane, would have made
him practically safe from the fire Of
the enemy
Could Have Done Better.
Orville Wright was inclined today to
minimize the magnitude Of his perform
ance. He was chiefly concerned with
what he might have done had he not
misCalculated the elevation at which he
had to round the stake balloon at the
Alexandria end Of the course.
Il feel sure" said he, that had l
continued at the same height at which
crossed the halfway hill or contin-
ued climbing, instead OF gradually
descending, I would have gained at
least two miles per hour in my speed
average. turned Shutters hill too
close to the ground. and this compelled
me to climb again in order to clear the
higher ridge between Alexandria and
Fort Myer. This used up power which
might better have been used for pro-
pulsion.'
Mr.. Wright was asked to estimate
what had been the greatest altitude at
tanned during the flight, and replied
that over the hill at Four-mile Run he
had sailed at a height Of $50 or 500 feet.
Orville will soon go TO Europe to take
M the work begun there by his brother.
Wilbur Wright win change places with
him and remain in this country to teach
the army officers detailed as members
Of the aeroplane corps the handling of
the Wright machine.