NO. 5 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION AND WRIGHT BROTHERS I7 



demonstrated by the fact that a Frenchman has built a machine 

 exactly Uke Mr. Langley's which has flown, but he believed further 

 that the machine would be wrecked in alighting. 



" I thought you might care to have this because it is more than 

 likely that before very long, through the War Department or in 

 some other way, the question of trying the machine will be forcibly 

 brought up. 



Very truly yours, 



Cyrus Adler." 



This is further evidenced by the following correspondence between 

 Dr. Walcott and Dr. Octave Chanute, one of the pioneers in flying 

 experiments : 



" November 16, 1908. 

 " Dear Dr. Chanute : 



" In a letter received during the summer while I was away from 

 the city, Mr. Charles M. Manly says : 



The Langley machine is today capable of more than any other machine 

 yet built, and is apt to remain so for some time. The engine is now seven 

 years old and still is the peer of the world. 



" Mr. Manly has suggested that he be permitted to make trial tests 

 of the Langley machine at some future time. I write to ask whether 

 in your judgment it would be wise to have an attempt made to fly 

 with it. 



Sincerely yours, 



Chas. D. Walcott." 



" Chicago, Illinois, 

 November 20, 1908. 

 " Mr. Chas. Walcott, 

 Secy., Smithsonian Instn., 

 Washington, D. C. 



" Dear Sir: 



" I have your letter of the i6th, asking whether in my judgment, 

 it would be wise to make an attempt to fly with the Langley machine. 



" I have never seen this machine but I suppose that I understand 

 it fairly well from descriptions. 



" My judgment is that it would probably be broken when alight- 

 ing on hard ground and possibly when alighting on the water, al- 

 though the operator might not be hurt in either case. 



"If the Institution does not mind taking this risk and suitable 

 arrangements can be made about the expense. I believe that it 



