The Washington herald., 1909-10-17

Tomorrow is pay day for the Wright
brothers. These two aeroplanists. who
were the first 20 sell a heavier-than-air
machine to any government, will be re-
Enumerated with check for $4,000 from
Uncle Sam.
This amount represents the contract
price of $4,000 for the aeroplane now be-
ing used in the Signal Corps training at
College Park. and bonus of 5000 for
having exceeded the speed required.
1t is by far the largest price paid for
any flying machine yet recorded. Through
81 the Wright brothers dispose Of none OF
their rights. either in the manufacture or
exhibition. II simply represents the pass
ing Of one aeroplane into government con-
troll with an agreement upon the part of
the aviators to instruct officers In its use.
United states Army Ia First.
Ohicers OF the Signal Corps stated their
firm conviction yesterday that never had
an appropriation OF like amount been put
TO such an effective use and that the
United States army was the first to &C
cept and purchase an invention which will
probably revolutionlze military and naval
warfare.
At College Park. Nd. Wilbur Wright.
who at Pau or Paris or some other
French village. smiled and said nothing
when Alfonso, King of Spain, suggested
that his eQuerry might go up with the
American aviator. last evening respect
fully declined an invitation extended him
by one OF the leading engineers Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which runs
close by the Maryland hamlet.
The invitation from the leading en-
gineer was a little matter OF race be-
tween one OF the railroads limited trains.
which DO not take any more notice of
College Park than does a politician Of a
voter after an election. and the 10000 bl-
plane, which Prof. Wright thinks can do
nfty miles an hour-some hours.
Probably II was not one OF the hours.
end possibly the biDlane was not doing
the fifty. because OF the transposltion
Yesterday Of the upper elevating plane
Al any rate the courteous tender was
not accepted.
Il all happened Just as the sun went
down. Mr.. Wright had made two flights
early IN the morning, taking a slice of
twenty-seven minutes in length from the
twenty-four hours. He began sIiclng at
go clock taking with him IN the first
operation Lieut.. Humphreys He STAYED
up more than thirteen minutes. The sec
ond night begun at 7:l0 o'clock and lasted
just about the same length OF time. An
attempt at a third flight resulted In
slight accident 10 one OF the braces
which connects the rudder planes with
the main body Of the machine.
At b:Sl O'Clock. after Mr. Wright had
discussed Minister Cranes resignation.
the Pirates. the Tigers. Cook and Peary.
Herbert Parsons. and other things. he
tried 10 20 up for the first time since he
has tranSposed one OF the elevatIng
planes without using the weights and
me starting derrick. He did not 30 up
bat skidded along for 100 feet.
Launches the BIpIane
Al $4,000 o'clock. according to the
aeronautical critics, he launched the
good biplane once more. 1t was inst &C
the sun went down. All nature. excent
tas boys from the Maryland Agricultural
College on the hin. was hushed. Old Sol
as he Is Familiarity hailed in College
Park. unged The heeting clouds with rose
red, then with the blue OF the llps OF the
dead. and then with fingers OF black
Wilbur Wright went sailing I'm into
that picture. He circled once about the
field. he circled again. Far down the
shining stretch Of steel-or. better,
stretches. FOR the Baltimore and Ohio
has two tracks-sounded the toot of a
coming flyer. The engine with eight
heavy cars behind, came into View. max
ing its fifty miles an hour, Just as easy.
The loading engineer sent his salutation
believing across the stubble 10 Wilbur
Wright
Just about that time the blplane made