Mr. Tesla Praises Professor Langley

TO THE EDITOR OF TAE HERALD :—

I cannot refrain from protesting against the most ungenerous comments in this morning's papers on Professor Langley's efforts. Professor Manly's tests, in view of the great difficulties attending them, should have received more appreciation.

The atmosphere is a capricious medium, and as regards air navigation we are still in a barbarous state of ignorance. Professor Langley undertook many years ago task which has baffled human ingenuity and skill for centuries. He had nothing to go by — not even a theory, let alone practical data. 

After long and patient labor, requiring the exercise of the rarest faculties, he finally perceived a great truth, which he announced — the secret of the bird's sailing night. He recognized that a machine, heavier than air could be made to fly provided its mechanism be controlled intelligently and that advantage be taken of the energy of the air currents. Had he accomplished nothing else, this would be enough.

But Professor Langley did not stop at this. He concentrated his efforts toward embodying these principles in a mechanical model. Years were naturally consumed in these endeavors. Experiments are expensive. We are told that he has expended $50,000 in these trials. This is what the public is made to believe.

But those who have had experience know that he not only has spent this sum, but has in all probability exhausted all his own resources.

The reflections made in the papers regarding the expenditure of this paltry sum contributed by the government are not only not justified, but ridiculous in the extreme.

Professor Langley has grasped more thoroughly the problem of aerial navigation than any other man on this globe. There are many skilled mechanics who are. lacking in scientific knowledge, there are many scientific men who do not possess suffcient mechanical skill; Professor Langley has both.

His success does not depend on chance. Such a man should be provided with the necessary means to complete his work immediately. Great honor attaches to this achievement, also great practical utility, which this country can ill afford to lose.

NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 1903.
N. TESLA.