The Washington times., 1910-02-10
Smithsonian Institution Paws
Tribute TO ConquerOrs
OF Air.
WORK OF LANGLEY
ALSO RECALLED
His Services Regarded As Those
of Pioneer IN Aero
nautics.

Wilbur and Orvfls Wright tooay re-
cstved the recognition Of The Smith
sonian Institution for their great
achievements in aerial scIence-
This recognition was In the form Of
the Langley medal which was author
lied by the regents OF the institution
and named IN honor OF Samuel y.
Lahgiey, late secretary OF the institu-
ton, whose original research IN the
field Of aerial science won him recozui-
ton as the pioneer IN ae-onautics In
This country II was the first time the
medal has been conferred On a1v ore
The presentation was made Ar 1ha
Smithsonian Institution, following the
annual meeting Of the regents. and IN
the presence OF a notable gathering
including besides both the Wright broth
ers, several scientists who ara fn+a--
ested I'm the progress OF aerial naviea-
ton
Langley Also Honored.
The occasion was not only made the
opportunity Of a tribute 70 the Dav4on
aFiatOrs. but also served TO enDhasfza
the extent TO which the world is in
de0ted 10 the late secretarv OF the
Smithsonian Institution for his -na7v
years OF effort to bring about practical
results 70 the conquest OF the air.
Dr. Alexander Graham Ben. inventor
OF the telephone. and himself an fuves-l-
gator in aerial navigation. paid the rrfb-
Ute o. the institution TO the yyrights.
and also declared tha1 through fbsf-
z-r-
recognition o. the work OF Prof LAM
ley
Chief Justice Melville ". Fuller e
the United States Supreme Court 4hg
venerable chancellor Of the fnStfrslrior-
made the presehtatiou and Wilbur
Wright responded on behalf OF himself
and his brother He declared tF.4t The
honor was one Of peculiar vzIue 10
them because lt came from Americas
foremost institution for the diffusion or
scientific research.
Distinguished Men Present
Besides the venerable chancellor, the
regents present Included Vice President
Sherman. Senator Lodge Senator bacon
Senator Cul!ora- Judge George cray, OF
Delaware; Prof Alexander Graham
Bel, Representative Mann OF Illinois.
and Charles D. WsIcott, present sec-e-
taTy and successor OF the late Dr. Lang
ley
IN his tribute 70 the Wright brothers,
Prof Bel declared they had opened I'd
wonderful possibilities for transporta-
ton by air Beginning as students OF
the science as laid OUT bT Prof Lang
ley. they have become leaders in the
practical application Of the science, and
are deserving Of the highest recoEui-
tiCD as such Were Prof Langley alive
today ne said. ne undoubtedly would be
gratIhed that this tribute, as expressed
through the medal bearing his name
had come to two Americans
Vow aerial transportation has
come said Prof Bel. dispensing with
rails. The air i<Sel< has become a -hfvn-
gay, and diriglble balloons and flying
machines are now realities This high
way has been opened and who can
fDSeteu the consequences TO man
Entire Globe Accessible
''One thing IS certain. that physical
obstacles 10 man in the air have been
overcome. and that there is no place
on the globe inaccessible TO man through
the air
Does this not point 10 a spread OF
civilization all over the world, and the
bringing OF Igh- 20 the dark continents
OF earInZ How well have the urediC-
tlOns OF Langley been realized