Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-05-25
ARMADA OF THE AIR
PLAN FLYING MACHINE FLEET
FOR THE UNITED STATES.

Congress Will Be Given Chance to
Watch Trials at Which Wright
Brothers Will Fly
Aeroplanes.
Washington.-A well-fitted fleet OF
aerial vessels for this country in the
near future, as a means of protection
against more advanced European ma
tions, is the prospect which is urging
on those interested in the trials to be
held at Fort Myer. With congress in
session the proximity of the trial
grounds to Washington is looked upon
as lever to force an appropriation for
the continuance of experiment work.
Members of congress are to be given
practical demonstration Of the prog
ress that has been made in aerial flight
and of its possibilities in warfare. The
signal corps in making an early start
in its trial at Fort Myer has in view
the opportunity which these tests will
offer to impress the national law
makers with the necessity for appro-
priating sufficient money with which
the aeronautical division may make a
beginning toward the establishment Of
an aerial navy. France. Germany,
Russia, Italy and other countries Of
Europe have kept abreast of the times
by obtaining the latest equipment for
has but one small dirigible and only
two free balloons of any practical
value.
AS soon as hydogen gas generating
plant is set up at Fort Myer the Off
GERS of the signal corps will begin to
train the men in the balloon squad by
making numerous flights in the signal
corps No. II. This is new spherical
balloon, having capacity of $4,000
cubic feet of gas and carrying three
people. 1t has made several successful
trips since it was purchased last sum-
mer
AS soon as the tent for housing the
dirigible has been erected Lieuts.
Frank p Lahm and Benjamin D. Foul
iers will resume the flights which were
terminated In October last.
One of the trips proposed is to cross
the Potomas from Fort Myer and fly
over the capitol building The dirigi-
BILE, the only one in the possession of
the government, was purchased last
summer from Capt Thomas s. Bald
win, after he had complied with the
specifications. At that time the re-
quirements were considered extremely
difficult of accomplishment with a
semi-rigid balloon.
The areoplane trials at Fort Myer
will begin soon. A. NJ Herring of
New York, pioneer in aviation, Is due
to deliver his machine at Fort Myer
near the latter part of May
The Wright brothers hold the other
contract for the delivery of an aero
plane, but their work Is so we'll known
that their machine will not arouse the
same amount Of curiosity which will
be evinced in the appearance of the
Herring machine. Mr.. Herring has
formed partnership with Glenn H.
Curtiss, the aeroplanist, and 1t is I'M
derstood that they and the Wright
automatic controlling device which Is
expected to revolutionize the present
efficiency and stability of heavier than
air machines. Their appearance at
Fort Myer at practically the same
time is significant. The Wright broth
ers have fully demonstrated their abil-
ity to fulfill all the requirements Of
their contract with the government,
and their experiments in Europe for
the purpose of increasing their speed
will offer the only new feature to their
trials.
Orville Wright, who has announced
his intention of completing the trials
at Fort Myer in spite of the fact that
he has just fully recovered from the
serious injury which he suffered in the
accident to his machine last Septem-
Der, has, while in Europe, constructed
new motor intended to materially
increase the speed of the Wright ma
chimes. The Herring Curtiss aeroplane
is not expected to offer any materially
new features as to the carrying sur
face. being it is understood, similar to
the Junebug and other machines Of the
Aero Experiment association. The
motor, however, If successful, will be q
marvel of light construction and dura
bility
This motor is described as hayine
five treated chrome nickel steel cylin
ders, set radially around single shaft
Its total weight. including the fly
wheel, spark coils, carburetors and
part Of the containing frame, is said t.
be only Is pounds, while it develop.
22-horse power Two of these motor
will be used on the aeroplane intended
for the government, which is to weigh
approximately 200 pounds.
PROMINENT MAN A SUICIDE
Julius Meyer Of Omaha, Neb., Kill
Self by shootins-III Health
Is Cause.
5E. n,,,oho RYoh No.,