Evening Star Newspaper, July 1, 1927, Page 4

47@ FLIGHT IS HAILED ~ AS AR TRIUNPH Airmen Compare Paris Hop With Polar Trip in Impor- tance to Science. By the Associated Press i _NEW YORK. July 1.—The victory of the monoplane America over the storm-tossed wastes of the North At- | lanfic was heralded by aviators to-| day as a triumph of nuv | ation | Packed tensely with drama from the sfart, the flight of the America was | described as one of the most remarka- | ble in the history of aviation, a suc- | cessful adventure comparabie to| Byrd's bolt to the North Pole an | achfévement to brinz new to | its erew of distinzuished air pioncers. | Head winds, freezing and blinding fog, mists and rain fought in vain | against the progress of the four men| inithe airplane. | . Battle Over Whole Route. The battle began shortly after the take-off and did not end until the giant challenger of the elements came down in_France. Off Nova Scotia the America en- tered a wall of fog and rain from [ another oc THE EVENING MRS. BYRD ENDS LONG VIGIL AS MESSAGE OF Wife of Flyer Fails SAFETY ARRIVES to Lose Hope When First Announcement of Landing Is Denied. esociated Press. TON, July 1.—An all-night vigil ended joyously for Mrs. Richard E Byrd at her mother’s home here this morning when Grover Whalen, vic president of the American Transocean- ic Co., relayed by telephone from New Y her husband’s message announc- g the Amers s landing at Ver-sur- Mer. “l am delighted,” *ommander Boy Knew S Shut out from the rest of the world, the wife of the gallant commander had quietly awaited news of the flight with the same confidence and faith in her hushand and his companions that has cha terized her when on many asion the aviator has been ous situations. the evening her four little Richard E.. 3d, who is nd three little girls, livelyn Katherine Ames, 3, and the wife of the ge arly in Bolling. their S-month-old baby, were told that bedtime had come and they must quit the scene. Only the boy was fully aware that s “daddy” ‘was engaged in high adventure. Mrs. Byrd had traced out for him the course of his father's flight on a map. combining a lesson in geography with one in aviation. Mayor Presents Flowers. * Shortly after the children had re- tired, news spread of the erron=ous report that the America had come down near Issy les Moulineaux, and a few minutes later Mayor Malcolm E. Nichols called to present a box of flowers. The mayor told her he had cabled the commander and his asso- iales to be the guest of the city on their return to this country. Mrs. Byrd bore up well in the face of the subsequent denial of the story and through the long hours until new finally flashed across the ocean that the plane had come down with safety to its four occupants at Ver-sur-Mer she never wavered in her belief that the trip would end successfully. which 1t failed to emerge until it| landed. | The fog wall extended all the way | across the sea and was whipped con- stantly by treacherous winds. £ven as the America first passed over land the elements refused to quit. For hours the crew had been | unable to see land or but the fight went on. The efficiency that OFFICIALS PRAISE BYRD AND CREW ON OCEAN FLIGHT (Continued_from_Fivst Page.) escorting mviators saw pre ing in the cockpits of the America at the time of the take-off was maintaine over the long route. “Freezing Fog"” Over France. Terse bulletins that told a tale of danzer were recelved throughout the flight. “Everything completely cov- ered by fog,” one message said, “Can’t see wing tips,” said another. “Have seen neither land nor sea for hours,” a third asserted. Over France the America described “freezing fog.” ‘The cryptic alarm “SOS" from the air veral times, and then the America’'s radio became silent while the ship came down— victorious in a new epic fight of man| against the elements. There were only about 20 persons about the hangar of the America ‘Transoceanic Co. when the word came at the fiyers were safe at Ver-Sur- er, and most of these were news- paper men. Wives Stay at Hangar. Among the faithful who maintained an all-night vigil at the end of a tele- graph wire, however, were Mrs. Bert Acosta and Mrs. George O. Noville, who refused to give way to fear even when their husbands were missing for hours. When a cablegram was received from Comdr. Byrd, addressed to his wife, saying 'he had landed and all ‘were safe, the two women telephoned Mrs. Byrd in Boston and they ex- changed words of joy on being re- 1 leved of the intense strain, Others of the faithful group were Tom Mulroy, chlet mechanic, who was with Byrd at Spitzbergen when he flew to the North Pole. Grover A. t i came Byrd and his compani of Davis tar this point. Departmant complishment companions milestone nautical science. heartiest con; fective preparations which you made for the flight and upon the skill and courage with which you carried it out.” partment tary naval attache at Navy crew. The Navy's confidence in you has been fully justified.” reau of you and your assoclates on your great achievement,” Byrd by Rear Admiral Moffett, chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics. it was evidenced in their messages to Comdr. he officials. congratulatory State Kellogg, Secreta and Byrd's own chief, Secre- Wilbar of the Navy, all stressed “Once more America is thrilled by he splendid success of her aviators n spanning the Atlantic,” the State head said. “The ac- which you and your share marks another the progress of aero- You all have my -atulations upon the ef- in Davis Congratulates Him. Secretary Davie. of the War De- addsd this tribute: “Hearty congratulations to you and your associates on the flight by which again you link science and aviation.” A, message transmitted by Secre- Wilbur through the American Paris read: “The congratulates you and your “The entire personnel of the Bu- Aeronautics congratalates said a cablegram to Admiral Moffett also sent congratu- lation messages to Gov. Byrd of Vir- ginia, brother of the flver, and Mrs. R. E. Byrd, his mother; Mrs. R, E. Byrd, jr. wife ot the aviator, and Rodman Wanamaker, financial backer Whalen, vice president of the America | °f the flight. Transoceanic Co. and personal repre- sentative of Rodman Wanamaker, backer of the flight, also remained throughout the night. ‘Women Appear Wan. Mrs. Acosta and Mrs. Noville finally Jeft for their temporary home at the Garden City Hotel at 5:45 o'clock 'this morning. They had been ghout the hangar, where the telegraph wire was Jocated, throughout the night and most of ‘yesterday. They appeared ‘wan from want of sleep, but smiled) cheerfully in the knpwledge that their husbands were safe. Each woman shook hands:with the mewspaper men who had shared their vigil with them and thanked the men for keeping them posted throughout the night with the latest bulletins of the flight. Floyd Bennett, who was to have been pilot of the America, but for an accident which has confined him to a hospital in New York, was told of the safe arrival of the America over the telephone by Mr. Whalen. “It was a tough break, but it could have been worse,” said Bennett when arrival. tinents closer together. congratulations to you and all your cre Lauds Great Achievement. The messege from Admiral Moffett to Gov. Byrd of Virginia read: ‘“Please accept congratulation of the entire personnel of the Bureau of Aeronautics on your brother's great achievements. He has brought additional honors to the Navy and our count To Mrs. K. E. Byrd, mother of the | fiyer. Admiral Moffett telegraphed: “The entire personnel of the Bu- reau of Aeronautics offer their con- gratulations to great achlevement and for this addi- tional honor he has brought the Navy.” - you on your son's A similar message was sent to the fiyer's wife at Boston. Assistant Secretary Warner, in charge of naval aviation, cabled: “I am overjoyed at news of your You have brought the con- My heartiest “Another Feather in Wing.” The flight was described as “another told of the forced landing. feather in America’s wing,” by As- flights,”” he added, “which was begun by Byrd when he flew to the North Pole, and continued by Lindbersh, Chamberlin and _Levine, Maitland. Hegenberger and finally topped off by | Byrd_himselt, “All of these pilots flew the Wright | whirlwind air-cooled.engine, in the de- velopment of which the Navy is proud to have had a part. The air-cooled engine marks a new period in aero- nautics. Its weight-lifting efficienoy, plus its demonstrated reliability. place us in a new era of aronaut The National Geographic Soclety sent the following cable to Comdr. Byrd: “Your friends the trustees and staff of the National Geographic Society join in the Naton's thanksglving for safety of you and your associates in the herole and successful achievement despite overwhelming odds.” HAMBURG FIRES FLARES WHEN PLANE IS HEARD Sound of Afrcraft, Thought to Be Byrd's, Heard, but Finally Dies Away. By the Associated Press HAMBURG, Germany, July 1.— Hamburg had a false alarm in con- nection with the Byrd flight. At 1 o'clock this morning it was reported by the Fremdenblatt that a triple- engined plane, supposedly the Amer- ica, had been sighted. The noise of airplane engines were heard by the Hamburg airdrome, where rockets were sent up, search- lights were brought into action and preparations made for the plane’s landing. But the sound grew weaker and no plane appeared. —_—— A disconnected or broken wind- shield wiper will cause difficulty in starting and will affect the action of the vacuum tank, causing it to run dry. At Your Service SATURDAY 8:30 AM. to 5 P.M. DEMAS, MECHANIC FOR BYRD, IS HERE Returns to Capital After Helping Prepare Plane. Gives Flyer Praise. Standing in a drizzle at Rooseveli Field, N. Y., in the chilly gray dawn of Wednesday morning.’ I5. Demas, veteran member of Comdr. Byrd's staff of mechanics, cranked two of the three mighty engines whose revolu- tions were never to cease until the giant Fokker reached the coast of France, This morning, at his home, 2308 On- tario road, Demas was eagerly obtain- ing bulletins from the Byrd part Happy that it was safe, but regretful that the adverse weather conditions which delayed the take-off had per- sisted throughout the long flight across the ocean and made accurate navigation almost fmpossible. Demas expressed the belief that re- ports to the effect that the plane was badly damaged were erroneous, since, he said, that if it Janded on the water it could have been damaged only by the wind tipping it' over. Any in- juries which the plane has received, he safd, can be readily repaired at the Iokker plant in Holland. Noting the reports that Byrd ran out of gas, his . mechanic stated that the plane had been.fueled to run for 42 hours, consuming .30 gallons an hour. The work of the aircraft in flying approxi- mately 43 hours, he said, was prob- ably made possible by Comdr. Byrd throttling down on two of the moto and «dependingy on the third to drive the plane along. Demas stated that the plane was made ready to go in two and a half hours after word had been recelved that weather conditions were more fa- vorable than they had been during the long days of anxious waiting to hop off for nce. Everybody pitched in, he said, frrespective of rank, and made the plane ready for a flight. Demas was emphatic in his praise of Byrd both as an officer and as a man. and stated ' that none of those as- sociated with the plane had enter- tained the slightest doubt that the flight would be successful. He felt regretful, however, that the weather had hampered the pilot to such an extent. It was bad weather from start to finish, he said. Demas is a Greek. He was born in Corinth and came to his home hers today in preparation for taking out his final citizenship papers, which he hopes to obtain Tuesday. He was on of the mechanics on the history-ma ing flight to the North Pole, accom panying Byrd as far as the base for the final flight to the Pole at Spitz- bergen, 600 miles in an air lina from the North Pole. AVIATOR IS JAILED. Accused of Attempt to Smuggle Chinese Into United States. SAN DIEGO, Calif., July 1 UP.—An airplane pilot, who said he was Charles Widmer of Los Angeles, and four Chinese have been seized by American immigration authorities co-operating with Mexican officers, 15 miles below the international boundary. line, on in- farmation that the plane would try to smuggle these Chihiese across the bor- der. The plane also was seized. The prisoners were taken to the jail at Tia Juana. ELECTRIC FAN HEADQUARTERS 14th & C Sts. N.W. OPEN A SATURDAY For Your Holiday Enjoyment HAVE you ever known the discomfort of returning from a trip to the hot stuffiness of a house closed up in case of rain or to prevent prowling? You can avoid that easily and, in addition, enjoy cool comfort ANY TIME with one of these STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1927. VALUE OF BYRD'S ACHIEVEMENT TO AVIATION IS OUTLINED Practicability of Airplane in Long-Dis- tance Commercial and Military Flying Discussed by Navy Officials. By the Associated Press. The use of the air-cooled type of airplane motor in long-distance flylug and radlo communication from air- craft was depicted in statements by Navy aviation officials today as out- standing achlevemnts in the series of transoceanic flights, climaxed by Comdr' Byrd's trip. The analyses of the flight's value in aviation progress, including one by Secretary Wilbur, also stressed the practicability of the airplane in long- distance commercial and military fly- ing. Sccretary Wilbur's Views. Secretary Wilbur's comment dealt not only with Byrd's achievement, but all of the recent American air exploits and was issued simultaneously with letters of commendation addressed to Comdr. Eugene Wilson and Lieut. “omdr. Bruce G. Leighton, naval en- gineers, who had considerable to do with the development of the air-cooled engines used in the transoceanic ex- peditions. > “I believe the air-cooled engine will be the turning point In aviation and will bring about new progress not be- fore believed possible,” he said. America in Forefront. Admiral Moffett declared this engine had put America in the forefront of the aeronautical world, and added that the country “should grasp its oppor- tunity and leave nothing undone to occupy this new commercial field and to provide adequate aviation defense.” Capt. T. T. Craven, director of naval communications, saw in the flicht a further step in the use of radlo in aerfal transportation He declared constant improvements were being made in the radio carrying plane, and that it was only a question of time when an aviator on such a trip will be able to keep in direct touch with land all the way across. The transmitter on Byrd's plane, a modification of standard naval aircraft radio, operated on 690 meters (435 Kilo- cycles), and established 1,000 miles daylight range communication with Roosevelt Field and 1,600 miles -night range with the Radio Corporation of America at Chatham, Mass. BYRD IS WORRIED ABOUT MAIL POUCH HE CARRIED TO FRANCE tinued_from First Pige.) meérgue, Premier Poincare and the French goverhment.” WAS COMPLETELY LOST. Byrd Quoted as Saying He Had No Tdea Where He Was. 1LONDON, July 1 (#).—Comdr. Rich- ard E. Byrd was completely lost in continuous dense rain clouds from the moment he left the French coast at Brést”last night in his effort to find Paris, says a vivid story quoting the American aviator directly cabled to the Evening News by its Cherbourg correspondent. Telling of the all-night battle of the ‘Americalin a rainstorm which ended with a ?«)ld plunge at 5 o'clock this norningtin the seat a Ver-sur-Mer, a titiy french bathing resort, Comdr. Byrd was quoted as saying: “I hoped to be able to 1ind my way to Le Bourget by wireless, and at one time, about 2:30 a.m., I must have passed very near Paris. All the way we were fighting our way through a blanket of mist and rain and couldn’t see 50 feet ahead. “We must have flown #§ circles, for the next wireless call of which I picked up a fragment showed that we were somewhere near Havre. “We went on, hoping for a rift in the clouds, through which we might see land when day came. But we were running terribly short of gaso- line. At 5 o'clock this morning there was nothing left but to come down and trust to luck. We did so and had a cold sea bath.” Comdr. Byrd also was quoted as saying that his wireless apparatus SATURDAY Store Hours— 8:30 A.M. to 5§ P.M. FLIGHT IS PRAISED ON FLOOR OF CHAMBER Several Deputies Criticize French Aviation as Americans Win Acclaim. By the Associated Press. PARIS, July 1.—News of Comdr. Richard E. Byrd's safe arrival at Versur-Mer was greeted animatedly in the lobbies of the Chamber of Dep- uties today. The endurance and the skill shown by the American aviators in their long struggle with unfavotable weather con- ditions - were praised enthusiastically The recent string of brilllant Amer- fcan flights has resulted in some crit- icism of French aviation among sev- eral of the members of the chamber. — failed to pick up land signals and that SROTHERSTS U TO G FIVALNES M'other Retires When First Report of Safety Is Sent. Denial Kept From Her. By the Associated Pre WINCHESTER, Va., July 1.—Last night was one of anxiety, tempered by stubborn confidence in a tried brother, and one of calm and repose in the be- lief that a son, aithough falling short of his goal, was safe and sound with- in a few miles of Paris, at the home here of Mrs. Richard Byrd, mother of Comdr. Richard E. Byrd, whose big monoplane America was forced down at Ver-sur-Mer today. From evening, when the America was' fighting rain and wind in its ef- fort to reach Le Bourget, through the gloomy hours when its fafe was un- known, until it finally was established that the plane had been forced down at the little seacopst town with all aboard safe, the commander's brother, Thomas Byrd, was in constant touch with the Associated Press. With the report that the America had alighted at Issy les Moulineaux, Mrs. Byrd gave up the watch and re- tired, perhaps a bit disappointed that he had not made Le Bourget, but happy in the bellef that the perilous flight had terminated safely. Not until this morning did she know that that report had proven false and that her Loy went through other trying hours before touching French soil. The brother, however, maintained the vigil to the end. He admitted anxlety, yet stated in no uncertain words his conviction that “Dick" would not land at night unless he knew exactly where he was, and main- tained throughout the hours the be- lief that the America would be kept in the air until daylight. ‘When.news of the true end of the transatlantic venture came it found “Tom" tired, but still able to say: “I told you so.” Spotsylvania Citizen Mies. Special Dispatch to The Star. FREDERICKSBURG, Va., July 1. —John W. Wilson, prominent Spot- sylvania citizen and commissioner of revenue, died at his home at Snell Wednesday. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Addie Wilson; two sons. John A. Wilson and William Wilson, his compass was complstely out of order. Crom the AVENUE a Jrom_ and two daughters, Misses Christine MILWAUKEE PLANS HONOR FOR FLYER Home City Invites Maitland to Celebration Over Hop to Hawaii. By the Associated Press MILWAUKEE, Wis., July 1.—Mil- waukee, birthplace of Lieut. Lester J. Maitland, Hawailan fiyer, vlanning to honor its air hero. A telegram has been sent to Maj. Uen. Mason M. Patrick, chief of the Army Air Corps, asking that Lieut. Maitland be allowed to come to Mil- waukee immediately after he lands in the West Coast, making the trip in The Bird of Paradise, the plane in which the former Milkaukeean and Lieut. Albert F. Hegenberger hopped from the Pacific Coast to Hawaii Invitations were sent to Lieut. Maitland by the Association of Com- merce immediately after he had landed in Honolulu. Mayor Hoan also sent him a cablegram extending the best wishes of the city and congratulating the flying ace upon his historic achievement. Home City Celebrates. Milwaukee celebrated uproariously when word was flashed that the fiyers had completed their flight. All business stopped for a few mo- ments, even court sessions were tem- porarily abandoned, and all Milwaukee rejoiced. The flyers’ brother, Frank M. Mait- land, had hurried back to Milwaukee from Green Bay to be here when the word of Lester's success came. “I knew he'd make it,” he said. “I am proud of him. We are all proud of him.™ Lieut. Maitland's godmother Henry Winterhalter, wept heard the whistles blowing. “We're so happy was all could say. Father Didn't Like Name. Lieut. Maitland was born February 8, 1899. The birth record shows that he was given the name of James. “But hie father didn't like the name, and so the boy was christened Lester James,” Mrs. Winterhalter sald. The war came just two months be. fore Maitland was to be graduated from high school. He was just 19 years old. With other seniors he join- ed the colors, enlisting in the aviation section of the Signal Corps. Com- pleting his tralning he was given his commission and sent to Waco, Tex., she and Lorene Wilson. as instructor. NINTH- - The Week-Ender sistant Secretary MacCracken of the Commerce Department. “The four recent transoceanic flights have done much to advance aeronautics as well as to impress the nation with the importance of aerial defense,” he said. ‘“Great credit is due to the pilots and crews, the finan- clal backers and the industries which produced the planes, instruments and motors. There is also a profound ob- Ugation on the part of us all to follow up their pioneering.” “Those facilities during the journey marked ‘this flight with a distinction of its own,” said ; Assistant Secretary Warner, in charge of naval aviation. “They mark it definitely,” he added, “‘as another step towards the safe and regular emplcyment of aircraft over long stretches of sea, not as a single, bold adventure, but as a normal in- cident of operation in the service of mankind.” Should Realize Meaning. “Byrd's flight,” said Rear Admiral Moftett, chief of the Bureau of Naval Aeronautics, “proved the practicabfl- ity of transatlantic commercial and military flights,” “Our countfy should fully realize the significance of this series of Westinghouse Electric ANS / TOMORROW, on Terms That % Make It Cheap to Be COOL! { Your Fan Delivered for ' as Little as.. 315_2_5 DOWN Costs Less to Run Than the Average Light! NOWING that should cause you to phone your Fan Order first thing tomorrow. 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