Evening star., 1919-08-24

'OMEWHERE on the western
front Pilot Harold Black. A. e.
~ F., was soaring above the shell
ter OF concealing clouds with a
crippled airplane. trying to find his
way back to a landing place and
safety.
AS he circled in q maze, vainly
hoping for aid of some sort before his
supply Of gasoline was totally con-
sumed, he succeeded in bringing the
coil aerile detection finder and other
parts Of the radio to life.
Beer Zed-Beer Zed!' they called
insistently.
1t was the signal call from the land
ing station.
Turning until he reached a position
at which the signals were strongest,
Pilot Black headed in that direction.
X X X X
Warily, for he had left four German
planes in his rear and below him. he
headed the airplane for home. The
moment he dropped below the clouds
he saw a sight that caused him to
rise quickly. Only few miles be-
hind, unharmed. were three OF his for
mer adversaries careening in lazy in
difference in their safety from oppos-
ing barrages.
Within. half an hour heavy mist
had risen, and Pilot Black knew that
he was safe. The German, planes
would not have remained, up in such
weather. But the very condition that
provided immunity from hostile at
tack made his landing a precarious
matter. Once more, guiding himself
by the intensity Of his radio signals.
he directed the machine to the landing
area.
Inevitably. through the dangers and
darkness Of fog and night the direc-
ton finder showed him the course
until he could sight the landing field.
Gracefully and as uneventfully as II it
had been broad daylight landing.
Pilot Black and his machine came to
a rest on terra frma. The adventure
was over.
In America mother kept on pray
ing for the safety Of her boy, uncon-
scious Of the fact that in some meas
ure. at least. her prayers had been an
swered.
Or consider another instance:
Submarine X-29 Of the United States
Navy has submerged in the face of an
overwhelming force Of U-boats. Con-
fronted with the alternative Of rising.
perhaps. in the midst Of a hostile
force or plowing its unseen way
through an unknown mine field, the
ship has remained motionless for
many hours. But to all things there
is an end. For the captain, who must
make the choice, there Is a terrible
responsibility.
And even as q decision Is pending
the radio system speaks words Of
hope. 1t Is the international code.
From the surface 1t talks to the sub
merged sub resting on the ocean bed,
telling Of the absence OF enemy craft.
AS the radio transmits through its
single coil loop and the captain gives
orders to rise he involuntarily utters
a few words Of gratitude that the old
time trailing wires which might have
become entangled with the propellers
become obsolete.
Again modern science has justified
itself.
As the veil Of censorship Is being
lifted from the war activities OF many
government departments there come
to light numerous romances OF fren-
zied activity that have no mention in
the honor roll Of the War Department.
Foremost among the unsung heroes"
of the country's victory are the work.
ers who contributed the many scien-
tific' developments that emanated from
the bureau of standards in Washing
ton.
The bureau mekes no pretense at
having created startling discoveries.
1t is not essentially an inventing sta
tion. It standardizes. 1t claims for
itself merely continuity Of research
and aexperlmentation--w the excep-
tion Of certain emergencies-as when,
for. instance. the government needed
Standardization of gauges for the
inspection Of munitions and projectiles.
and the bureau, which had had force
sight to see what would be needed.
had the standard gauges ready within
few months after the country en-
tered the war.
Except for such crises, however, the
bureau pursues the even tenor Of Its