The Washington times., 1909-06-29
AEROPLANE FLIGHT
DEPENDS ON Wind
Wrights Expect TO Fly To-
day Unless Stiff Breeze
Sets In.

The Wright Aeroplane VIII fly this
afternoon If the wind doesn't blow too
hard and It does not rain.
A stiff breeze blew over the parade
ground when Orville and Wilbur Wright
arrived at Fort Myer this morning. but
there is every reason to believe that
this wind Will die down to a mere
zephyr before sundown. Everything
now depends on the weather.
The Wrights merely made a casual
examination of their machine this morn
ing and then got into an army wagon
with Lieutenal 1T I4ahm. of the Signal
Corps. and weiit scouting over the Vir-
ginia roads 10 find a suitable course
over which to rake their ten-miIe test
They were gone until well into the
afternoon. which leads 10 the belief
that tlle brothers are not entirely salts
fied With tie so-cailed Alexandra
course laid out ~ the Eignal Corps Of
fcers.
There is every indication that the
fashionable crowd which fringed the
edges of tho parade ground yesterday
viii not again subject itself TO the
blistering rays of the sun. There were
few telephone INQUIRIES at the fort to-
day and there is no expectation that
Congress win be represented in such
great numbers as on yesterday.
Explains Delay.
Orvilie Wright IN explaining his fall
ure 10 make an ascension Yesterday
AFTERNOON said that while there was
only slight breeze blowing on the
ground the topography In the vicinity Of
Fort Ayer was such that the air cur
rents are much stronger one or two
hundred feet above the earth. His ex-
perierees here last September. he said
had taught him this. and while he was
loath 10 disappoint the distinguishes
visitors he did not feel called upon to
risk flying brand new machine in the
strong air currents he knew he would
encounter above the tree tops.
The brothers will make every effort
TO make a fight this afternoon. The
wind ordinarily does not die down untu
4 or O'Clock, so that there probably
VIII be rothing doing until that time.
Signal Corps Men Dissatisfied.
Officers of the Signal Corps are not
at all satisfied today that they have
made a very deep impression on mem
bers of Congress along the lines of air
ship appropriations at the next session
Of Congress. The exhibition at Fort
Myer yesterday. or, to be accurate. the
lack Of exhibition, was such that if any
Senator or Representative left the ma,
rade ground in a pleasant frame of
mind he was careful to conceal his
identity.
The Senate adjourned early yesterday
afternoon and forsaking the call of the
baseball game. its members went to
Fort A1yer en- masse 10 do honor to the
Wright brothers and their aeroplane
The Wrights would have nothing to do
with them, and after standing in a blis-
tering sun for two hours the Congress
sional delegation returned to the eity.
political prominence in the nation did
not constitute a passport, as Senator
Aldrich and several of his coIlea auc-
found cut Immediately after arriving at
the Fort He hoped across the ropes
which had been stretched to keep intru-
ders from the parade ground over which
Orvllle Wright proposed TO ny. and
started on his way to the balloon shed
at the lower end OF the field
A trooper halted him.
Aldrich Turned Down.
The Senator explained who he was.
but the explanation made no impression
on the cavalrynen. and he was ordered
back of the lines. The chairman of the.
iiiffltS NotiiLlittSe Is accustomed to
getting what he wants so he asked the
trooper to ride down to the shed and
explain that Senator Aldrich wished to
go down and look the machine over. In
a few moments the trooper came dash
ing back followed by an officer
The Wright brothers are very sor-
ry.' said the officer. ''but they do not
wish to be disturbed. and you cannot
60 down the field"
I guess a member OF the Senate has
no rights in this vicinity" murmured
Senator Aldrich as he proceeded to
make himself comfortable.
Wind Halts Aeronauts.
A few drops of rain kept the aero
plane in the shed for long time. After
the moisture had ceased and the flying
machine had been wheeled up in front