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Show TRIES OUT HIS MACHINE San Francisco, Sept. 11. Preliminary Prelimin-ary to his start in a Wright biplano from this cltj for New York, Robert G. Fowler, made a flight at 10.45 o'clock this morning, to test his machine, ma-chine, which proed to be under perfect per-fect control. Ho remained In the air 10 minutes, passing out over the ocean andsabove the Presidio, covering cover-ing about two and a half miles. James Roiph, Jr., a member of tho directorate of the Panama-Pacific Exposition Ex-position company, christened the aeroplane aero-plane at 11.35 o'clock with a bottlo of water from the Pacific ocean. After Rolph had delivered a short address, in which he wished tho aviator success suc-cess on his flight, Fowler left to don his flying clothes,, oxpectlng to return re-turn and leae the, grounds for his cross-country flight at about 1 o'clock. The preliminary flight brought several sev-eral thousand to the park, and the hills and bluffs surrounding tho Stadium Stad-ium were crowded. After alighting, Fowler decided to empty his gasoline tank and substitute ordinary automobile auto-mobile gasoline for tho special fluid which he had prepared. This change was In the main responsible for hla delay In starting. Fowler did not styow tho slightest uneasiness as he directed the operations opera-tions of his mechanicians in preparing the machine. "I have absolute confidence con-fidence In my mnchlne and in tho engine," en-gine," he said "Of course the undertaking un-dertaking is stupendous and certain prophecy of success can not be made, but I have every hope that 1 shall roach New York. The special train will carry tho parts of three complete com-plete aeroplanes, and I will have every ev-ery facility at hand for quick repairs in case of nccideut. Crossing tho Sierras will, of course, be the most dangerous and difficult part of tho undertaking, but I believe I will he able to accomplish it safoly. The weather conditions are perfect, and l have a pretty thorough knowledge of the winds and air currents.' Fowler's mother, Mrs. J G. Fowler, was with her son during the morning preliminaries. She "did not remain to witness the start, but left for Oak-,land Oak-,land when Fowler went to lunch, to board the special train. Mrs, Fowler showed little agitation, and apparently shared her son's assurance of success. suc-cess. "I know he is one of the most careful care-ful aviators," she said. "The aeronauts aero-nauts of the Wright school are taught to uso the utmost care, and I have but little fear for his safety." |