The Washington herald., 1909-06-23

Owing 10 a slight ambiguity IN the
wording OF a clause in the specifications
under which the Wright aeroplane Is 10
be delivered 10 the government, Il IS said
that neither Orvlle nor Wilbur Wright
anticipated carrying an extra person IN
the speed test There IS believed % be a
possibility that in that test OrviHe win
be the only man IN the machine.
The clause ia question reads: The fly
ing machine must De designed 70 carry
two persons having a combined weight
Of about SO pounds" Attention has been
called 70 the fact that the carrying OF
an extra person in the test itself. where
a bonus for velocities greater than forty
miles an hour Is offered, is not speclHcany
required.
As il IS. the stipulation has been com
piled with The machine demonstrated
last fan that with an extra person
aboard 1t could go through the endurance
test with Gy:i.g colors and could acquit
itself with honor in the matter Of speed
where the Rub Comes.
The rub" comes IN the winning OF the
bonus in the velocity test OrviEe
Wright is believed 10 be keenIy conscious
OF the fact that. travelling alone. he has
a good chance 20 make forty-four miles
an hour, in which case he would gather
in the maximum bonus OF % per cent OF
! the contract price OF S25,CO9, while with a
passenger his speed viii be necessarily
cut down somewhat
A representative Of The washington
Herald. in talking 10 Orvine Wright
/ yesterday. alluded 10 an article IN an
other newspaper. Mr.. Wright said:
The article IS incorrect in quoting me
on something I did not say. said
nothing 70 the reporter about earring
a passenger"
| II response 10 a question as 10 when
/ he first learned the government meant
the aeroplsne 70 carry an extra person
in both tests, Mr.. Wright said he pre-
ferred not 10 make any statement.
/ Rapid progress was made yesterday IN
the assembling Of the flyer. Both broth
ers were On the OBJ and it was after
o'clock In the evening when they re-
turned TO the Raleigh for dinner.
/ In the shed AT the edge Of the parade
ground at Fort Myer they worked
/ through the day, with their sleeves rolled
/ UP. With them were Lieut.. Foul0is and
/ Lieut. Lahm. OF the Signal Corps, who
viii be instructed after the tests In the
handling OF the flyer.
Planes Set in Place.
The two main level planes. with their
famous wing tip" adjustment. which is
one OF the secrets OF the Wright brothers
success, were set in place. trussed with
silver painted wooden rods and taut wire
cords. The two sprocket wheels by which
the power is transmitted from the shaft
0 fthe motor 10 the propellors. were fitted,
and the vertical steering planes AFT were
set in place.
Especial attention was given to the sup
ports in which the two wooden propeners
rest. II was the breaking Of a link
running 10 the bearing OF one OF the
S1z-fOot propellers that caused the ac-
cident last faI which Killed Lieut.. Sci
fridge and severely injured OrviHe
Wright.
The framework supporting the two
small, horizontal planes forward OF the
levels" was partly rigged. Late in the
afternoon the gasoline engine was lifted
to its place on tin beCplate in the cen
ter OF the machine. and before the broth.
ers quit for the day. much OF the worl
OF fastening II rigidly to the frame wa:
finished The high. aaH water cooler. b,
which the water which c!rculates abou
the four cylinders 10 prevent them from
becoming Overheated. gives OF its warmth
again TO the air, was fixed in place.
The two sprockets, to which the trans
mission chains VIII probably be fitted to
day. are Of the most scientific accuracl
OF construction, in order 70 fulfil III
difficult task allotted to them OF reducing
the speed OF 1,4o0 revolutions per minat
1 OF the e2gi1e-shafts 70 400 revolutions q