The Washington times., 1910-05-27

ALBANY, y. Y, May "A brisk
breeze and rough piece OF ground for
q starting point prevented aviator Glenn
II Curtiss from either beginning his
aeroplane flight from this city TO New
York or even trying out his flying ma
chine today The apparatus is resting
in what is known as the Cabbage Field
on Rensselaer, Island. two miles TO the
south, and CUrtiss IS resting at the
Ten Eyck hotel, scanning the sky and
the drifting smoke from the chimneys
in the hope of a falling or Of the
wind
Il cannot say exactly when I shall
start" said the aviator. Il need not
tell you that I want as nearly perfect
weather conditions as I can get. See
that smoke rising from that chimney
over there7 You can tell from that
there is quite a breeze Besides 1 want
10 give the machine a try-out around
the field before starting on the big
journey But you may rest assured
the flight viii be attempted, and IN
less something beyond human power
prevents It, It will be performed"
Sightseers Camp Over Night
At the Rensselaer, Island starting
point, a colony Of sightseers and will
ing-to-help folks had been established
Several hundred camped around the
tent which covered the aeroplane last
night, and today they were munching
luncheon they had brought along, re-
fusing to quit the scene an instant for
fear they might miss the getaway.
Through the night like sentries pa
trolling post. farmers marched back and
forth guarding their cabbage and potato
patches from intruders. They carried
lanterns, and they halted every
one of the sightseers who ATTEMPTED 70
cross the potato deadline.
AL the farmers carried revoiHers.
They were not brandished. but were
significantly pointed 20 in a way TO en-
phasize the warnings given
Motor in Fine Order.
Curtiss' machinIsts tried the aero
plane motor this morning. and the six
foot propeller sent a regular gale
through the gaping crowds. Everything
was found 10 be running IN the smooth
est order. and the vibration reduced to
an almost imperceptible minimum
A number Of workmen were engaged
early today TO hurry along the smooth
ing out of from 200 to 800 feet of the
plowed ground Of the field in which
the machine rests. This was necessary
IN order that a sort Of speedway FOR
the start might be established The
ground was in hummOcks that presented
many obstacles 70 the revolving Of the
wheels on which the aerOplane rests.
The weather conditions here today,
apart from the wind question, were per
feet All traces Of the rain OF the night
before had vanished and the sun rose
over the Rensselaer, hills in splendOr
The telltaie smoke drift, however, indi-
Gated that a breeze of considerable We
locity was stirring and that it would be
hazardous for CVrtiss 20 attempt his
flight.
Another Competitor for Prize.
When the Albany night boat passed
down last night toward New York a
powerful searchLght was thrown on the
tent on Rensselaer, Island, containing
the flying machine. Hundreds Of per
sons crowded TO the side of the boat
| for a closer look and many cheered.
When the night boat from New York
passed going toward Albany at dawn
a score Of passengers were out of bed
eagerly scanning the island for a glimpse
of the aeroplane or its tent.
When Curtiss was informed that AVA
tor Charles X Hamilton. another con-
testant for the $4,000 prize for the Al
bany to New York flight, probably would
arrive tomorrow, he said he would not
alter his plans any to race Hamilton
but would make the flight in his OWL
way.