Arizona republican., 1913-03-09
Are Polar Explorations Worth
 While?

Utoald Amundsen in American Scandinavian ReviewD
 Is it worth while? is the question l often asked. Are the results such to justify the nous expenditure of human energy and wealth con sumcd in polar expeditions? Your researches may interest q few learned scientists, what prac- tcal benefit can they be to the men who pIod in the common of life? No doubt this old ques- ton will lift it's head again. that my panons and l are preparing to start long projected voyage the Arctic regions
 Although the north pole has been reached since I formulated my plans, I expect to carry them out precisely first stated them before the Norwegian phic Society in October 1908 The exper- fence have gained the antarctic continent be Of little service us, the condi- tons We expect to encounter are entirely different, and we face now an expedition compared to which our trip to the south pole was mere pleasure jaunt. We shall probably be gone five years, but are prepared to spend seven years in the Arctic regions if necessary complete plan which includes q drifting across the Polar Basin from the Bering Sea. across the vicinity of the North Pole and out again on the Atlantic side of the con- tinent. We know well that the undertaking is hazardous and that much suffering awaits
 Is it worth while?
 My answer is that extend human knowledge is always worth while. The time has surely come when human beings longer be content without knowing the little planet which live We realize that all that have and scientists, the patient searchers after knowledge. Without them We should prob ably still be killing with stone knives and crunching it Knowledge must first come tO the scientist before il can be applied to the practical every day concerns of the world and be- benefit to all humanity.
 The importance of the polar regions in the household economy of is little realized The North Pole and the South Pole have been aptly called the two steam boilers Of the earth. If the power they generate suddently to cease, all activity on the earth would come to an end. It is thought to most Of us that life and power out of the frozen fastnesses of the poles and vet is We have all learned in school days how the heavier water of the Arctic regions presses in the lighter, because heated, water of the equatorial regions and causes ocean currents just the process in the air causes the trade winds. but it is only recently that the science of oceanography has revealed to us the stimulating. rejuvenating effect these frigid currents on the plant and vegetable life in the ocean. The teeln- ing fish life in the Atlantic depends for its existence the food brought il on the currents from the virgin icefieds of the north. With the mixture of the northward flowing warm current and the southWard flowing cold waters from the Polar Basin fish life is walked to activity the fishes begin to spawn and become, as 1t were, resuscitated. If my polar expedition brought no other result beyond exact study of the polar currents question, their course, velocity and di- recton as well as the animal and vegetable life they contain,-then the expedition would nchlE have paid for itself
 The meteorological observations will constitute another important phase of our expedition In this I working in conjunction with Professor Her eesen, Count Zeppelins partner who is in sym pathy with the project. l propose to take a wire less apparatus with me and Professor Hergesell hopes through the generosity of some of his Ger man friends, establish four or more meteorological stations. be placed in such way that they 
 in-One being probably in Alaska, one in Siberia, one in Spitzbergen and in Labrador. If this can be done the will through her wireless appara- tus be in constant communication with these sta tions: We shall all make observations as to wind and weather at time, and in this way cover a much larger for longer period and in d much exhaustive manner than would otherwise have been possible What have said of the polar in the water holds good of the currents in the air; they give the key to the weather conditions the world
 n speaking cf the scientific value of the eNpe- dition. l wish lay especial stress on the magnetic observations Our work in this field vii! doVetall with that Carnegie Institution. which has at it's the good ship Carnegie. ably directed by Prof. L. A His vessel is constructed Of wood and copper, with special view to taking magnetic observations, and has already done much excellent work in this field in all quarters of the globe If it is possible for me to work in conJunc- tiOn with the Carnegie, adding my observations to those of Professor Bauer, both being worked out simultaneously, then the scientific world Will at have a completed magnetic record from when Q make deductions This will probably be the only opportunity for such joint investigation, as the required polar records is long, and It IS a very unusual coincidence that sends two vessels remarkably well fitted for the purpose into these waters the time feel. therefore, that the vital importance of this phase of our work can hardly be oVerStated.