Chicago, February 15, 1904
I have your letter of 13th. I know of no proposal to change the length of the course (10 to 15 miles) as set forth in Sec. III, paragraph (c), of the rules.
Santos Dumont has a reputation for making rash statements. When to this is superinduced the general rashness of the newspapers we get remarkable results.
I enclose a translation of Captain Ferber's last letter. I had sent him the Scientific American article and your statement as given out Jan. 5. You will note that your success with a motor has stirred up several others besides himself to experiment. I expect that several new types will result, but you are so far in advance that they cannot catch up.
I have received from several persons requests for information as to the construction and details of your dynamic machine, and have answered that it is different in arrangement from the 1902, and that you desire to keep the construction to yourself for the present.