Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-08
DR.. Alexander Graham Bell
Considers AeropIane Suf-
ficientIy Developed.
ONLY DOUBTFUL EQUATION
is POWER OF ENGINE
Scientist, in Address Before Federal
Schoolmen's Club, Tells of Qualifi-
cation Of Flying Machine.

1t is possible for aeroplanes of the
present patterns and strength to cross the
Atlantic ocean. BY keeping to high alti-
tudes, the feat is likely to prove less diff
cult than 1t would appear. This is the
opinion Of DR.. Alexander Graham Bell, set
forth in his lecture on Aerial Flight be-
fore the ladies' night meeting of the
Federal Schoolmen's Club. last evening,
at Fairmont Seminary, 2701 14th street
northwest
1T Is obvious" said DIR. Bell to the
guests Of DR.. Arthur T. Ramsay. princi-
pal of the seminary, and Mrs. Ramsay,
that to make the journey of 1900 miles
flying machine that will attain the
speed Of 100 miles an hour and can hold
it for twenty consecutive hours is re-
qutred. We already have machines OF
that speed. So it is simply a question OF
the engine holding out
although at great altitude the den
sity of the air is lessened, with con-
sequent higher rate Of revolution Of the
propeller. the force exercised by the pro-
peller at this higher rate would be just
as great as that near the earth. More
over, the very lack of density Of the
atmosphere would offer less resistance
to the air craft. with consequent in
crease Of speed over that attained at a
lower level.
More Height, More Speed.
THE great essential is a system OF
changing gears necessitated by the higher
rate Of revolution of the propeller. In
other words. the higher the machine flies
the greater the velocity to be attained.
THE question of sufficient oxygen fol-
the driver is solved by the tremendous
foN fhn OF cfrily he
face would be condensed. AS for the
cold at such height the exhaust OF
the machine furnishes a source of heat
easily applicable to keep the aviator
properly warm.
When it is realized that an aero.
plane with an ordinary speed of fifty
| miles an hour attains at proper
height speed of, say, 100 miles ar
hour. l think We may safely say thai
we will see airships crossing the At.
Iantic at a height Of two miles above
the earth, driven by warm and com
Portable aeronauts."
Foretells New Motive Power.
After the lecture DR.. Bell gave as an
opinion. that the time would come when
microscopic portions Of high explosives
would furnish motive power for air craft,
just as drops of gasoline do at present.
In addition to his prophecies. the speak
er traced In detail the history Of aero
nautics from NEUROLOGICAL times. with the
various theories that fiourished and fell,
until Prof. Langley and the Wright
brothers finally demonstrated the entire
superiority of heavier-than-air machines
He told Of the plans for such ma.
chine, drawn by an inventor as long ago as
1912, characterizing them as admirable
and correct in principle. and only pre-
cluded from resulting in a practica.
craft by the lack Of sufficient and suit.
able motive power This machine, said
singularly like those we know today.
Assisting DIR. and Mrs. Ramsay in the
receiving line at the reception proceed.
ing the address were DR.. and Mrs
Percival M. Hall and Mr.. and Mrs
Arthur D. Call. Officers of the senior
and junior classes Of Fairmont Seminary
and Of the Queens Garden Club of that
institution also assisted.