New-York tribune., 1909-07-30
FLIGHT AGAIN PUT OFF
STRONG WIND THE CAUSE.
Wnghts Plan to Make AeropLane
Test This afternoon.

Washington. July "a squally wind caused an
other postponement OF the ten-mile official speed
trial OF the Wright aeroplane tonight
1t had been announced that Wright would make
the test after sundown II the weather permitted.
and by 5 o'clock a large crowd had gathered at
Fort Myer. Until word came from the Alexandra
end Of the at o'clock that strong wind
was blowing there Orvilie Wright seemed deter
mined make the trial.
The aeropIane was wheeled across the field and
placed on the starting rail. The motor was tried
out for a final test and the crowd applauued
Their eagerness and expectancy were turned into
dismay a little later when they saw the signai
corps men mount the aeroplane wheels pre-
paratory TO taking 1t back to the shed. Neverthe-
less the spectators seemed good natured They
have become used to the necessary postponements
at Fort Myer.
Sitting directly opposite the starting line, Major
George .. Squier and Captain c. de F. Chandler, or
the Official board. were ready to take the time as
the machine crossed the They kept In con-
stant Communication with the Alexandria end OF
the course. and when Lieutenant Commander
Sweet sent word from that end that the wind was
so strong as TO make the flight unsafe and I'M
probable OF success Major Squisr Informed Wilbur
Wright. The two brothers conferred and as
result the flight was called off for the day.
There was no indication Of the stormy conditions
until about O'Clock when the sky became over
cast in the west and the crowd at Fort Myer was
compelled to seek shelter from what. proved TO be
merely a sprinkle. About this time the aeropiane
was being taken OUT OF the shed. but the uncertain
weather conditions caused Orville Wright 10 hesi-
tate A little later. however, the wind diminished
to between two and four miles an hour and the
aeroplane rolled across to the starting rail-
Down at the aeropIane shed Miss Catherine
Wright the sister the two aviators, whom Presi-
dent Taft called the most important member OF
the family watched the weather conditions as
carefully did her two brothers. She laughed and
chatted with few friends. but carefully avoided
the northern end OF the field. which has assumed
a decidedly social atmosphere
Fully a hundred automobiles and many car
riages, which had brought 20 Fort Myer nearly
all Of the important officials OF the government
who have braved the heat OF midsummer to remain
IN Washington. parked about the Presidents s
tent Mrs. Nicholas LonRworth, in a taxicab. was
the centre OF this social group. She was busily
engaged pouring for the VARIOUS members OF
the diplomatic corps and OF Congress as they came
up 10 greet her. Many parties in automobiles, in
Guiding several members of the Cabinet were scat
tered along the which the flying machine
TO have taken. These "aeropnne parties as
they called are becoming quite fad with the
fashionable set in Washington.
President raft. who had been expected at the
fort had not arrived when the flight called of.
Wilbur Wright said that It not the rain so
much as the uncertainty of the wind which caused
hts brother 10 give up the flight for to-day.
Il made several flights in France while it was
raining" said Wilbur. and It seemed that the ma
chine travelled faster when IT wet. supposed
this was because the canvas becoming vet
made alright. resulting In less atmospheric
friction. II slipped through the air better. so TO
speak"
After holding n consultation With the signal corps
officers tonight the Wrtghts decided that they
would not attempt a flight tomorrow morning. but
expect 10 make the effort tomorrow afternoon. II
Is said that the two aeroplanists desired 10 make
the speed trial at daybreaH that the time would
he lnconvenient for the signal corps oficials. Sew
eraI preIiminaries are necessary before the flight
he made. The stake balloons must be set out
and a guard established along the line