The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-17
NEW DEPARTMENT
IN AEROP[ANES
Plan Is Submitted to Officers of
Navy Department
BUTLER AMES' MACHINE
VIII Be Given "Tryout" at Annapolis.
Is Fitted with Gyroscopes-Has
Much Confidence In the
Machine
by JONATHAN WINFIELD

idea that has been adopted by aviators
who have made wonderful spectacular
Cruises" between the cities and before
large crowds.
THIS new plane, for which the navy
department will lend its assistance in
trying out, is the invention Of Congress
man Butler Ames of Massachusetts. 1t
is without propeller of any kind and in
lieu of wings series of horoscopes are
added. The body of the plane does not
differ essentially from the late models
of airships. but its appearance in the
air is entirely different. Mr.. Ames claims
that his machine will be the wonder of
the age and will do everything that Is
expected of it,
The first real trying out" will be in
Annapolis where a series of experiments
have been mapped out by Mr.. Ames and
some officials of the navy department
who are especially interested In aero
nautics. The machine will be tested in
lifting heavy weights from the ground
and from shipboard. In this respect. Mr..
Ames states his machine will be found
to be especially lifted. The parade
ground In t. Academy will be used for
some of the experiments, it's large and
flat surface being an ideal for airship
stunts" Right off shore. the torpedo
boat Bageley will be moored ready to
AohoW liC Ill Whatever Ddy
maneuvers may be determined upon.
Heavy weighs will be placed on the
deck of the Bageley to which the air
ship will be fastened. By the aid of
the horoscopes and specially constructed
lifting cylinders on the airship, the plane
will endeavor to drag the weights off
the ship and land them on the parade
ground. A great deal of dependence is
necessarily placed In the horoscopes,
uvh Cht rrf,,
fashion, will give the machine a tre-
mendous lifting power as well as driving
momentum.
In speaking of the new plane, Mr.
Ames appeared very enthusiastic and
confident that 1t would meet with the
unqualified support of the naval experts.
II came across the idea for this plane
from very simple yet striking discov-
cry. One day while sitting in the library
Of my home, I idlely tore thin strip of
paper from tablet and letting it fall
from my hand, discovered that it in
variably dropped to the floor in the op-
pcsite direction from that in which it
was held Following out the idea with a
gyroscope, set vertically 1 found that
tremendous power was generated when
set in motion with the aid of a gasoline
engine, On my plans a gyroscope will be
located on each end of the machine, may
be two on each end To the uninitat ted
observer, these scopes will resemble
spiral stairway, small at the end near
est the machine and gradually widening
towards the top. As they revolve the
s1nes are driven, the faster the machine
will go.
with this machine it will not be neces-
sary to have a runway upon which the
ship depends for its start All that will
be necessary will be to crank the en-
CINE, throw the power into the gyro-
scopes and then you are off. The entire
control of the machine will be with the
operator at all times. In descending the
plane, Isfhink will be great improve
ment over ther types as 1t will settle
earthward much in the same manner as
parachute does after leaving a bal
LOOM"
The experiments in Annapolis will be
conducted in the latter part of July un-
der the auspices of the navy department,
and 1t is not unlikely that other aviators
will be asked to participate
No definite arrangements, however, have
been scheduled by those who are in
charge of the experiments. 1t is likely
that Glenn Curtiss, the aviator who made
the spectacular flight between Albany.
N. Y. and New York city; George Ham
ilton, who made a most remarkable flight
from New York to Philadelphia, and
gother an-birds, who have become more
or less prominent in the aviation field,
will be asked to participate.
The war department is also endeav-
oring to arrange some experiments in
this line but up to the present moth
ing of definite nature has been out
lined. 1t is said, however, that General
Allen. Lieutena TT Lahm. Captain Chand-
lor nd lot oil
perts have held several consultations
during the past few weeks with a view
of conducting SOME experiments with
airships in connection with army ma
noeuyres to be held either this fall
or next spring.
Both these departments are now en-
gagged in collecting all the data to be
had from experiments both in this
country and aboard. Several officials
of the line have been designated to
personally inspect the actual tests
when and wherever they are conducted
In this country and to make a care
full report to their respective superiois.
The experiments abroad are also
watched with eager interest by the
officers here, who are especially in
terested Reports are received of near
ly every large aerial flight from the
offices, who happen to be stationed
abroad. in the vicinity where the ex-
periments are being conducted.
The navy department expects to have
its difficulties In solving the problem
of the eight-hour law. Into the set
Element of this question will be brought
all the brains that the Attorney GEN
erals office can produce and 1t is ex-
pected that before a decision Is ar
rived at most OF the labor leaders of
the country will present their views
and attempt to issue edicts.
Congress provided that not more
than an eight-hour day should be spent
on the construction of the new bat
tleships authorized. The generaliza-
ton which now balks the navy depart
ment and the Attorney Generals of-
flee in proceeding with the proposed
naval construction Is SO broad that
builders do not know whether they
will be able to install compases for
instance in the new ships which have
been built on the basis Of more than
eight hours a day. The same thing
applies to desks for the office of COM
manding officers Of the battleships, tel
ephones SO that he may talk to the
en- CINE room or any other appurtenance
or appliance used in the proposed new
battleship.
The navy department, In Its despair,
Is awaiting the opinion of the Attorney
Generals office for the construction Of
the new law.