The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-08
HUMAN FLY ACT < PHYSICAL MARVEL
Authority on Physical Gull ture Points Out Difficult
 ties of Gardiner's Feat

Much has been said about the won derful feat of Harry Gardiner, the "hu- man fly" in climbing the Empire build ing. It is questionable if the average person who saw the thrilling ascent fully appreciated the real difficulties of the climb. Capt E. J. McCrossin, an exponent of physical culture, in a statement yesterday, points out some of the most difficult and marvellous features of Gardiners feat, not only on the Empire building, but when trying out the climb on the American Trust building.
 He regards Gardiner as the most wonderful climber in the world, and states that he actually "did the impos- sible" in his ascent on the buildings. Captain MeCrossin said:
 "As 8 student of physiology, strength, endurance and athletic achievements. and having witnessed many times in my life acts of men, in difficult performances, where the slightest mishap would send them to eternity, I must say that I watched, with a great deal of interest, Harry Gardiner, known as the human fly when he was trying out the possibility of climbing the American Trust build ing, and when he actually did climb the Empire building. In numerous in- stances he seemed in great danger, and depended absolutely upon the ex- traordinary muscular strength, not only in the ends of his powerful fingers but in practically every muscle of his body, as well as a wonderful and powerful physic force and ex- traordinary will power.
 "On the marble fluted columns of the American Trust building he climbed about 25 feet from the ground, with outstretched arms and legs, holding to the flutes, where the column was about 3S inches in diameter, and when, by clamping his knees, making a pres sure between the heel of the right foot and the toes of the left foot, he let go his hand hold, with outstretched arms leaned his body backward, he perform ed a feat that was wonderful. The next wonderful feat was on the En- pire building, when he succeeded in getting to the top of the sash at the second story, and holding to the win dow frame with the one hand reached with left hand 43 inches to the outside of the cap of a pilaster which had a projection of two inches the extend ing the left foot along the plain wall, letting go of the window frame, swung clear, holding entire weight on the ends of the left fingers. and tried to pull up to reach the cornice above.
 "He made the same attempt five times before accomplishing the reach to the cornice above. This was per- haps the most difficult and dangerous feat performed on the Empire building all the rest were easy for him, and I think death to any one else.
 j 'The most phenomenal feat, however, was on the thirteenth floor of the American Trust building, where the outside architecture of the marble window frame has a projection or about two inches from the wall, for the full height of the window, per- fectly smooth. and at a distance of about 20 inches parallel to the window is three-inch projection all the way to the top. Here he placed his feet against the wall projection, and the ends of his fingers with elbows bent, leaning his body horizontally almost, with the pressure between his feet and fingers, in opposite direction with head and shoulders projecting beyond the elbow line he ascended to the top of the window and returned to the sill Don't believe anybody else living could do this act. even near the ground with mattress to fall on. This man, in my opinion, is phenomenon. Of course, as almost everybody will say, he will make his last climb some day"