The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-29
WIND TOO STRONG
 FOR AEROPLANE 0rviIIe Wright Fails To Make Final Test Of Machine TIME LIMIT Is EXTENDED Great Crowds Awaited the Flight ano All Are Greatly Disappointed
 On Account of Delay
 in Trials.
TIME LIMIT Is EXTENDED

Washington, July 2s-A persistent wind and a suddenly discovered stoppage In the gasoline feed pipe of his motor pre- vented Orville Wright from making this evening his final cross-country two-man test of the aeroplane After he had wait ed in supposed readiness for the start for an hour, with the aeroplane on the monorail at Fort Myer, the wind died down at last to little more than a whisper and then 1t was discovered that the fuel feed was obstructed. By that time it was dusk and the flight was declared off for the day, the army officials granting him three days additional time for the test The time limit under the original con tract expired today. The failure of the trial disappointed an immense crowd, in- cluding President Taft and practically all of the most prominent government officials.
 All along the course laid out for the flight people were gathered in every con ceiyable character of vehicle. At Shutter Hill. just outside the city of Alexandra, where the turning point was located, was assembled what must have been rair quorum of that community. The crowd at Shutter Hill was a serious emoarrass- ment to the officers in charge or the trla' they had with them only small caVairy detail. and they found it impossiple 10 keep the people off the great space when they intended to reserve as u iaiuIns as place for the aeroplane in case IL was necessary for the aviators to alignt.
 Element of Peril.
 Tn addition to the aspect of the unpre- dented flight as a spectacle, there "as
 A- 1,a ara O real peril In order to maintain leVel course if will be necessary for Wright to maintain an altitude of from 50 to Zoo feet above the sharply rolling country. Officers of the signal corps have been over this ground repeatedly in balloons, put no one, not even either of the Wrisnts' mas been over 1t in a heavier-than-ai ma cbina and the air currents which will affect such flight are practically un- known. Wright has discovered In nls circuits of the parade ground al forl Myer that trees and buildings ana even the contour of the ground profoundly ln- fuence the currents of air He has no chart to show whirlpools ana eooles III the atmosphere with which he Will nave to contend on his perilous journey.
 The course was marked by bright yell low cylindrical captive balloons. The only real excitement of the day was when one of these, near Fort Myer, escaped ana displayed a disposition to beat Wright to Shutter Hill," for there 1t was cap tured, somewhat damaged All along the road between Fort Myer and the turning point a relay series of mounted soldiers Tn khaki sat on their horses. It was to pc | their duty in case of accident to hasten | to the fallen machine and then to hurry back to the fort.
 | Opinions of Flight.
 I | the way view the whole affair with min | eled emotions; many of them are chiefly 1 afraid that Wright will drop in through | their houses or, what they feel would | be more serious, work havoc in heids ana | gardens They were anything but pleased | tonight when informed that they had l still another day in which to dread the new bird of the air.
 It was quite dark when the signal corps
 details pulled down the markers and lowed them back to Fort Myer. If wealth CT conditions promise flight tomorrow they will be replaced in the same posi- tons in the morning.
 Seven thousand persons surged in ex- citement as the aeroplane was wheeled across the field to the starting rail short ly before o'clock. The only ones in that vast assemblage that showed no agi- tation were the Wright brothers and their sister ana bieuteiiaiie rouiOis' 'iie 'o"o officer who had been selected to make the flight with Orville.
 OryilIe Wright seemed as much disap- pointed as the President at his inability | to make a flight. He explained that 1t
 was necessary to wait for the wind to
 abate because 1t had been coming from
 the east almost at right angles to the
 course and therefore would retard his | speed greatly.
 The brothers believe they can complete l the speed trial within the three extra 1 days granted them. The trouble ex- perienced with the motor today Is not 1 considered serious by the Wrights, who say it can be fixed in 15 minutes.