The Washington herald., 1909-08-01
kilograms and Cablegrams
Come by the Hundreds.
ENTIRE UNIVERSE INTERESTED
Letters I'm Large Number Also Ar
rive for Aviators at Raleigh,
Bringing Congratulations for IaE-
niacent Flight OF FridRy-Prize
and Bonus to BE Paid I'm Few Days.

miles each way-did not decrease one jot
or little yesterday.
On the contrary, the wonderful per-
formance Of the aeroplane. under the
skHful operation OF Orvine Wright.
formed the basis of conversation among
high officials of the government. members
Of the Cabinet. Senator's and Representa-
tlves in Congress. business men, society
women. and the general mass OF the peo-
pie. II was the hotel and club topic
under discussion.
That the country at large and foreign
countries took the keenest interest in
the official test. which came of with
such distinguished honors 70 the Wright
brothers. was evidenced by the hundreds
Of kilograms and cablegrams and wire
less messages which poured In all day
and up 10 a late hour last night 10 Or
Vile and Wilbur Wright
Dozens of TeIeErRms.
Every messenger boy that showed
up az the desk OF the Raleigh Hotel
brought from one 10 dozen or more
kilograms for the wrights from peo-
pie Of prominence, cOngratulating the
aviators upon the successful demon
stration OF the heavier-than-air ma
chine. A generous contribution 10 the
mass Of congratulations came by ca
blegram. Likewise every mail delivery
brought hundreds OF letters from
points within reach OF a days mailing.
The clerks at the Raleigh worked
overtime 10 handle the kilograms and
letters
The official record Of the test under the
direction Of the Signal Corps officers
shows that the flight from Alexandria 70
/ Fort Myer was at a rate OF fLf21 miles
an hour. which was faster than the speed
attained going 90 Alexandra, when the
I speed made. as shown officially, was
/ S7.7S5. Of a general average speed an
/ hour Of 425S3 miles
( In explaining the reason why the re-
/ turn trip was made az something more
I than ten miles an hour over the direct
/ trip TO Alexandra. Orville Wright said
yesterday:
Il feel sure that had I continued at
/ the same height at which I crossed the
+ halfway hill. OF continued 20 ascend
( instead Of gradually descending. ] would
/ have gained az least two additional miles
an hour on my speed average"
| he said he turned shooters Hill too
near the ground. which compelled him
/ 20 ascend again 10 a higher altitude 20
make Il possible 20 clear the higher ridge
/ lying between Alexandria and Fort Myer.
| This, he said. used valuable motive
power thst might have been utilized 20
great advantage toward the more rapid
propulsion Of the machine. Oryille init
mated that II lie had 10 make another
flight over the course laid out for the
oficial test. knowing the topography as
/ he does now. he could cut down the rec
ord officially named by adding several
more miles an hour 20 the speed OF the
/ biplane
/ Gen. Allen. chief signal officer in charge
/ OF the Official test. said the test was
highly satisfactory. and that the Wrights
Ihad more than made good under the gov
Iernment requirements. He said the aero
plane would be formally and officially sc-
! cepted by the government I'm a few days.
and the payment Of the principal and
bonus made.
Instructions to Corps.
He said that for a week or ten DAYS.
there would be no attempt by the army
/ officers 20 ny the aeroplane for instruc-
( tlons TO officers OF the Signal Corps II
( Is the purpose Of the officers to first de-
/ termiue upon some place near Washing
/ ton where the topography is suitable
/ possessing the least difficulties for the
operation Of the machine. where every
natural advantage possible may be OBJ
| tanned
! Wilbur Wright said last night at the
| Raleigh Hotel that he had Informally
! discussed with Gen. Allen several pros
pective locations near the city for a
I drill ground where the Signal Corps men
/ H,a ftrrr of rha
several places had been determined upon.
and In all probability would not be Sc
/ lected for a week or more.
/ The three Signal Corps officers who
have been connected with the prelimi-
nary and official tests OF the aeroplane
I VIII be instructed IS soon as the training
4 field has been selected. Wilbur Wright
4 will return TO Washington I'm q week or
ten davs and look over the proposed
/ training field before IL is finally deter
mined upon. and in all probability his
/ Judgment Will be accepted as final VII
/ bur viii also be in Washington 70 re-
ceive from the War Department payment
/ OF the money due the Wrghts. Imme-
diateiy after the selection of the training
| field q shed will be erected and the aero
plane taken apart and transported there
Discussed the Flight.
In army circles yesterday the work Of
the aeroplane was the absorbing topic
Of discussion. all agreeing 1t had been
forcefuliy demonstrated that the Wright
biplane is q practical arm Of the Signal
Corps service. invaluable in offensive and
defensive work ~
The small exposed space OF such ma
chine moving through the air at an ordi-
1 nary height. II was reasoned. at a rate
Of nearly forty-eight miles an hour
would be absolutely out of all danger OF
the enemy in an effort 20 bring such a
machine TO the ground. That such a
weapon of warfare could be utilized TO
! the greatest advantage in determining
the location. strength, and movement OF
| an enemy, at a great height. or skin
ming near the earth. was admitted by
army officers who discussed the PROPOSE
ton.
| In this connection Wilbur said the
aeropiane could be made to fly close to
earth with the surface in plain view and
/ that details and plans of the enemy
could be easily determined.
Orvile Wright, accompanied by his sis
ter, Miss Katherine, left the city yester-
day afternoon for Dayton, Ohio. their
home where Orville Will rest for a few
DAYS, before sailing for Europe, where he
goes to complete tests and demonstrations
begun there by Wilbur, who will remain
| in this country and In all probability de-
vote some time. after a brief vacation, 70
experiment on improvements Of the aero
plane.
Wilbur said last night he would leave
Washington some time to-day. his depart
ure not having been definitely fixed upon,
and that he would join Orville and Miss
Katherine In Dayton. Ohio, where he
would spend a week or ten days resting
and looking after some important matters.
After that he viii return 10 Washington,
Asked X he had received any prcposi-
tions from inventors as to improvements