Evening star., 1928-03-08


belittle the scientific achievements OF
his brother and himself has refrained
from airing his opinions. He Is quiet
and unassumIng with q real aversion
to public controversy. Just nov Mr..
Nright has been advised that a resolm-
ton has been introduced in Congress
calling for an investigation OF the Situa-
ton He Is concerned primarily in
having some disinterested scientists OF
high standing examine the claims made
by the Smithsonian Institution.
The inventor explained that the pla-
cards placed by this government-sup-
ported institution on the plane OF Prof
Samuel p Langley. which failed TO ny
we're one OF the ''miidest points in lead
ing to his decision TO favor the English
museum. For that reason. the offer
made by G. G. Abbott. newly-appointed
secretary of the Smithsonian. 10 change
the plane labels. did not alter Mr.
wrights decision.
Offered Machine Twice.
Twice in the past he offered his origi-
nal plane 10 the National Musem. only
20 receive replies that indicated 70 him
that the machine was not wanted. So
Until shipped 10 England, 1t had remain
ed here In his non -fireproof laboratory
As further indication OF the attitude
taken toward the achievement OF the
Wrtghts. their friends point out that
until recently scarcely reference was
made in this American National Mu-
sem 10 the contribution they made 70
aviation On display were numerous
Langley models. for which the claim
was made that they we're the FIRST
heavier than air machines capable
of sustained flight carrying a man
There were numerous glider models OF
Americans and Europeans. But oniJ
one Wright airplane was TO be found
tucked away In corner With the tag:
Wright aeroplane used by the Uritet
States Army l909-i9i0. First fyint
machine purchased and put In practics
by any government" This treatment
vas considered by Mr.. Wright's friends
10 be rather strange recognition for ~
great q contribution as these brotheTi
made 10 their country
Mr.. Wright also feels keenly the eifor
made in recent years through the public
schools and elsewhere Ia convince peo
pie that he and his brother were com
mon mechanics who built machine
that managed 70 ~ flrst, but using
principles copied from scientists. par
iic1lariy Prof. Langley.
Mr., Wright is quick 10 poln, out ina
when Prof Langley was alive, he ant
Wilbur were given credit mot only f0
having made the first night. but fo
having produced the first machine cap
able III ftlsnt. and for the scientific re-
search from which this machine
sprsng,"
The calculations Of Prof Langley snt
NJ all other scientists who previously
had deIyed into akT0-dynamtcS~~th TN
principles which made flying by heavier
tnan-alT PLANES pOssibIe~-Vefe found b'
tne Wr:ghtE through actual experience
10 be erroneous.
solved Propeller Problem.
II yss only their psinstskjng research
! involving computation with Intricate
| technical data, gnd then supported bS
hundreds III actual flights In gliders
| which brought solution of Tie prob
| lem Mr.. Wright demonstrated for tbs
| writer how wrong principles and mol
| mechanical difficuiLies prevented ths
/ Langley plane and ail others before
/ the WTighLs IRON fiylng.
Besides establishing the scieniifit
| principles upon which sirpisne flight IL
| based the WFights considered their m0s
dlf1cuit problem the working out of
proper sirplans propeller. and here
| again they bszed q scientific trail
| Ihs effort ~ take away from then
| credit for scientific achievement. there
! hIfe TankIes.
| Mf Wright for the past year ha'
| been working on the original plane ~
| which he entered ths air al Kitts
| Hawk. ~. &. rs the first man ever u
ny. u Was DIt In eSactiy ths c0nhi'
ton In WHICH i, first few st Kitty
Hawk before being shipped t0 England
Nov the inventor intends ta dey0ia
himself Tor sDme time writing The deI
! tails ~ the Wright experiments tina
| led L0 The birth 0f aviation.
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