Washington, Dec. 26.—Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, who has just returned to Washington from his summer home in Cape Breton Island, tonight made the following statement in regard to the reports that have appeared in the public prints that he has invented a flying machine;
    “The newspapers have been premature in announcing that I have been at work on a flying machine. I have not any flying machine at all, and have not been trying to make one. I am, of course interested in the problem, and have come to the conclusion that a properly constructed flying machine should be capable of being flown as a kite if anchored to the ground, and that, conversely a properly constructed kite should be capable for use as a flying machine if provided with proper means of propulsion.
    “My experiments have had as their effect the building of a kite of solid construction capable of carrying up in a moderate breeze a weight equivalent to that of a man and engine, and so formed that it is believed to be suitable for use as the body of a flying machine, and with supporting surfaces so arranged that, when the kite is cut loose, it will come down gently and steadily and land uninjured.
    “I have successfully accomplished this, but don't care at the present to make public the details of construction.

From—The Corvallis Times. (Corvallis, Or.), 31 Dec. 1902. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.