The Washington herald., 1909-06-21
WRIGHT BROTHERS
HERE FOR TESTS
Famous AYiatOrS Arrive in
City Unheralded.
PROBABLE FLIGHT WEDNESDAY
OrviIle Remains Reticent About
Demonstrations 10 Be Given at
Fort Myer-ExBlains That Accident
which Killed Lieut. SeIfridCe
Could Not Happen Again.

Wilbur and Orville Wright arrived in
Washington yesterday afternoon. They
registered at the Raleigh Hotel, took a
short walk before dinner. and returned
early. worn out by the journey and the
strenuous time 20 which they were sub
Jected in Dayton during the celebration
in their honor.
Few persons recognized them Nobody
met them at the train. There was no
demonstration. not a ripple. The assault
OF the kings Of the air on the citadel OF
the national government was character
istically Wright.
They even went to the Cosmos Club.
the haven of brother scientists and delv-
ers. and were not known. They went
there 10 can upon Dr. Albert f. Zahm.
Of the Catholic University, who enter
tained them last fall and took particular
interest in their work.
UnnOticed at Club.
As the brothers, unaeeompanled, stepped
into the assembly-rOOm. the three or four
men there looked up casually. saw two
strangers. and turned 10 their reading
again. At the door OF the club, as the
Wrights were coming out after an unsuc-
cessful attempt to find Dr.. Zahm, they
were met by two acquaintance.
That was all They returned 10 the
Raleigh In the far end OF the dining
room they sought out a small table and
gave their order. To one looking into the
room, and knowing the Identity Of the
two silent men in the corner. II seemed
significant Of the times that in such a
place. freaHented by persons OF many
allings. theirs was as far IN advance OF
all others as the widest imagInings Of
Jules Verne are in advance OF a treatice
on tooth paste.
The Wrights did not go out 10 Fort
Myer 20 see their dismembered aeroplane
Their mechanic. Charles Taylor. spent the
afternoon there The inventors will 20
out this morning to ommence the actual
work Of putting the flyer together. II is
probable no flights will be made until
Wednesday or Thursday. although no pre-
diction can be made with any degree Of
certainty.
OrvilIe Wright. the younger OF the
brothers, was approached at the Raleigh
last night by a representative OF The
Washington Herald. He did not say
msch. and preferred to have questions
He declared it was hardly more dan
gerous 10 ride in an aeroplane than 10
ride on a bicycle OF in a motor car. Re-
garding the functions OF an automatic
control 10 prevent rocking. he said such
a form OF control was no great import
ance. He maintained that no automatic
device was regarded as necessary 70
preserve the equilibrium Of a motor car
or bicycle. and he saw no necessity OF
attempting 10 apply such a principle 10
an aeroplane. which was now under
perfect control and rocked only IN con
sequence Of counter air currents.
Accident Explained
To the questions Orvine Wright said
that the accident at Fort Myer last sum-
mer. when Lieut.. Selfridge was killed,
circumstances. The trouble. he explain
ed. was caused by the breaking of a
propeller blade. and the distance TO the
earth was too short 10 enable him to
right the machine.
Had we been up fifty or a hundred
feet higher" he said the landing could
have been accomplished. N entire safety
with the machinery and everything in
good condition We were only twenty
five feet from the ground when the pro-
peller blade broke
Orville Wright viii make all the
flights at Fort Myer. After ne has COM
pieted the trials he probably will 20 10
Germany In connection with an aeroplane
contract with that government. while
Wilbur viii remain at Fort Myer 10 in
struct army officers in aeronautics.