Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-30
CHANCE OF WIND FALLING
Heavy Gale Blowing at Fort Myer
Expected to Subside.
LAST DAY FOR TEST TOMORROW
Aviators, Anxious to Avoid Asking
for Further Extension of Time.
Willing to Take Risks.

evening, weather permitting, was the
| information given out at the Office OF the
chief signal officer of the War Depart
| ment this afternoon
Late reports from Fort Myer stated
that everything is in readiness for the
ten-mile speed test which may take place
about sundown. 4 heavy southwest
wind was blowing across the parade
ground at o'clock this afternoon. but
in the experience of the Signal Corps Off
GERS. the condition of the wind in the
middle of the afternoon gives very un-
certain indication of what it will be as
the sun goes down.
Tomorrow will be the last day of the
present time extension. and it is said
that the Wrights will take some slight
chances with the wind rather than ask
for another extension.
will the Wrighrs fly today?" is being
asked on every side, but the answer to
the question Is as uncertain Washing
| tons uncertain weather. The Wri2hts
| themselves cannot tell in advance Wheth-
er there will be a flight this afternoon.
| Those who wish to see the speed test
| will simply have to go out to Fort Myer
| and take chance said an army officer
this afternoon.
Crowds Disappointed Yesterday.
The only thing that showed any signs
of life in the aeronautical line around
! Washington yesterday was the cylndri-
Teal balloon of the Signal Corps, which,
impatient at waiting so long for the aero
| plane, broke away from it's moorings
and wen. off bobbing up and down
among the clouds. The same gusty winds
that liberated the captive balloon, mark
| ing the three-mile point in the course,
kept the aeroplane glued to the monorail.
For a few minutes it's propellers roared,
but there were no other signs of life.
| and about ten thousand Would-be spec
tators, eight thousand at the parade
ground at Fort Myer, and about two
thousand at Shutters Hill and at other
points along the course, returned to their
| homes disappointed.
THE unexpected always happens in
aeronautics," said one of the disappointed
"rooters.'' the aeroplane was scheduled
to fly and never left the ground. and that
| Signal Corps balloon was supposed to
stay In one place. and it has gone chas-
ing over the country.
| For the second time all preparations
| for the ten-mile speed test were made.
| The balloons marking the course had been
set out, the judges were divided into
| groups and stationed at each end of the
| course. red flag was placed on the
| field about seventy-tive yards from the
monorail to mark the starting point and
finish of the flight. A field telegraph had
been erected by the Signal Corps men and
those at each end of the course were in
constant communication. Messages on the
atmospheric conditions at Fort Myer and
Shutters Hill flashed back and forth all
| the evening.
| The Wright brothers are very anxious
| to complete the test without asking for
another extension of time. They decided
to take chance yesterday evening, al
though at no time were the conditions
particularly promising. Shortly after &
| o'clock the machine was taken from the
shed and started up the field toward the
monorail 1t had gone hardly seventy
five yards when slight shower sprang
up and it was hurried back. Just as 1t
got to the shed the shower ceased and
the machine stopped at the door.
Wind Halts Trial.
After about half an hour it was taken
up the field again and gotten all ready
for the flight. While the engine was being
tried out stiff breeze arose and lower
ing clouds in the west gave the sky an
ominous appearance. The general opin-
ion was that there would be no flight, and
finally message was received from
Lieut.. Sweet at the end of the course.
advising against attempt, owing to
the squaily conditions that prevailed
there.
|
not the rain but the wind that prevented
the fight. Il made several nights in
| France while il was raining, and 1t SEEM
ed 10 me that the machine travelled faster
when 1t was wet. l suppose this was be-
cause the canvas. becoming wet, was
made more alright, resulting In less at
| mospheric friction.
After consultation with the board Of
judges last night 1t was decided not to
attempt flight this morning. as ii would
put the officers TO too much inconveni-
ence. The stake balloons would have 10
be set out when 1t was almost dark and
a guard established along the line. Will
bur said, however. that dawn is an excel
lent time in which to make a flight and
Lieut.. Foulois declared that the anemom-
eter showed that for the past twenty
mornings there has been no wind across
the parade ground on fifteen occasions.
Spread Of ''Aeronautitis"
Aeronautitis is spreading among those
whose enthusiasm has been fired by the
exhibitions of the Wright brothers. Post
master General Hitchcock is said to be
the latest victim. According to Acting
President A. Holland Forbes of the Aero
Club of America, who is in Washington
as the official timekeeper during the
Wright trials, the Postmaster General
wants TO 20 up in a balloon. Capt. A.
w. Butt. the Presidents aid. is also af-
fected. and will probably make an ascen-
sion in a free flying balloon from North
Adams, Mass. Mr.. Forbes says that
President Taf; approves of his aid be-
coming familiar with aeronautics. espe-
cially from a military point of view.
The President is exceedingly eager to
learn all about aeronautics himself" said
Mr.. Forbes. We talked aeronautics for
about forty-fve minutes and l was sur
prised at the intimate knowledge the
President displayed concerning airships
and the men who run them