The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-28
Machine in Perfect Condi-
ton for Conclusive Test
This Afternoon.
CAPTIVE BALLOONS
MARK HIS COURSE
Lieutenant Foulois Will Make the
Flight as Aviator's
Companion.

With the five-mile course marked
with three small balloons, the en-
gineS working with the regularity of
a clock, the Wright brothers await
only the moment when the stiff
breeze shall die to a. zephyr, to
make a dash from Fort Myer to-
ward an imaginary enemy near
Alexandria, and speed back to the
starting point, to fulfil the last con-
dition imposed on them by the
Government.
Preparations are being made at
Fort Myer to handle q record
crowd this afternoon. The interest
that has been aroused by the flights
las passed all expectations and a
Leavy guard Will be put on today
to look out for the policing of the
parade ground and of the turning
point at George Washington park,
Alexandria. There will be no at
tempt made to follow the flying
machine.
Board Divided.
The aeronauticaI board Of the war
Department which has charge Of the
flight and makes the report on which
VIII be based the purchase of the ma
chimes by the Government will be d.
vlded in two parts. Major Squier will
have change Of one section, which viii
remain at Fort MyeT, and Major H
NICK. Saltzman wiz have charge OF the
other party which viii take station at
Geozge Washington Park.
A detachment OF the Signal Corps es-
tsbIshed a telegraph station at the
Alexandria end Of the course this morn
ing, the wires being attached to the
hagpole from which Old Glory proudly
floats
The turn viii be made at this fag-
pore and the members OF the aerOn-
nautical board will signal their associ-
ates at Fort Myer the minute the ma
chine reaches that Bsint.
Another instrument has been put I'm
place at the loot or the starting der
rick az Fort Myer and the start VIII
De sigualed to Alexandria.
Balloon Takes Flight.
The course. which was laid out some
weeks ago by the members Of the
hoard, was marked this morning with
three small spherical balloons. pointed
al either END. attached 10 guy ropes
go feet long There is one balloon al
each end OF the course and one in the
middle. AT least there was one in the
middle this morning, but alas for the
calculations of the aeTonauts! The stfT
breeze that was blowing, which kept
all the balloons Whlrling Ike dcrvishes
from the moment they We're released |
twisted the center bOuy from its moor
iugs and II sailed away into the ambient
on little personally conducted flight
Of its own
Lieut.. Benjamin D. Foulois will be the
passenger Orville Wright takes with him /
this afternoon. The young officer is one
OF those who have been selected 70 be
instructed IN the handling OF the airship
he made tour over the course this Q
morning with Lieut. Frederick T. |
Humphreys in one OF the War Depart
ment automobiles, inspecting the ground /
OrVlile and Wilbur Wright made a Z
similar tour at an earlier hour under the 4
guidance OF Lieut.. Frank =. Lahm. I
They, too, were in a War Department /
gas wagon and after going over the
ground went slowly back 10 Fort Myer |
Little To Say.
Neither Of the brothers would discuss
the flight this afternoon, but it was
to'''NN@ 't~ W L'iS A4i4LS9 IepoEteIb VINO /
had also gone over the course with the (
Munsey Reliability Run Chalmers-De-I /
troit pathfinder, that the flight would be /
a very different thing from whirIing
around the parade ground, because Of /
the peculiar condition Of the country.
Orville Wright frankly said the ruru
al the Alexandra end is one Of the
most difficult that can be devised From
the top OF the bin a clear view OF wash
Continued on Eighth Page1