Evening star., 1921-08-02

Officials Of the Army air service and
weather bureau were inclined 20 doubt
the success Of an airplane flight over
the north pole from Alaska to Nor
way which will be attempted for the
first time in September under the d.
rection of Edwin Farfax Naulty of
New York. a physicist, who has long
been interested in polar exploration
and aviation. and plans for which
have virtually been completed.
According to Mr.. Naulty, the chief
scientific observation Of ocean. air
and ice currents. The hope of estab-
fishing the feasibility of the new
route for commerce is secondary
consideration.
The play.s call for the use of one
afrplane and an expeditionary party
of four. which will include Mr
Naulty and three experienced ex-serV.
ice flyers. The trip across the top
of the earth, a distance OF 5000 miles,
is expected to be made in twenty-four
hours actual flying time.
Doubt Prneticnbility.
Oficials Of the Army air service in
washington, however, doubt the prac-
ticability Of Mr.. Noulty's proposed
polar expedition. They point out
that there is no airplane in existence
which would carry a sufficient fuel
supply for such a fight.
1t was pointed out that an air trip
across the north pole would be feas-
ible providing bases were established
for supplying gasoline. The air serv-
ice officials. on the other hand. claim
that a plane can fly in the arctic re-
gions, referring to the Alaskan e1-
pedition made by Army flyers in the
went from New York to Nome and
return, covering a distance of 5000
Charles F. Marvin. chief Of the
weather bureau. pointed out today
that an airplane Is not suitable de,
indicated that he Is dubious about the
success Of the prime object, Of Mr..
Eauity's expedition. The pilot Of a
plane, he said. cannot definitely deter
mine what winds are blowing while
he is in the air. "of course" he said;
while in the air the pilot could make
some calculation Of the air currents,
but they would not be exact"
Can Establish Stations
Mr.. Marvin said that it is possible
TO establish stations In the arctic
regions for measuring air currents
from the ground. He pointed out that
the weather bureau makes its oo-
leasing small balloons, which travel
with the wind currents.
The start Of the important part OF
the flight from q scientfhc stanopoint
the transpo1ar and transatlantic
flights to he made from POINT 6aT
rok, Alaska. The route to the pole
will be, as far as flight conditions per.
init, along the meridian Of 16b west
to the north pole. The distance from
Point Barrow to the pole 10 1,20e
nautical miles, and It 10 planned @
make the first stop half way between
II is planned to make the second
ston at the north pole, or a. near to
thar point as there is landing, where
q full observation will be made to
determine position. After an over,
haul and rsstGrage; % rage e1e ~ snitzbsrren % @
whore the third landing is planned
n he made, west Of Andree Point
The fourth leg of the flight will be
across spitsbergen with q possible
landing near Bear Island II condi-
tions warrant, ana tnence 70 NoFsn
Cape, Norway.
WIN start From Seattle.
The flight will be started from Sc
which WIN proceed by easy stagel
up the Alaskan coast. stopping az
Ketchikan, Anchorage and Nome.
The complete route for the re-
mainder Of the trip will be from
Nome to Point Barrow, and thence
across the regions to North Cape
Norway, and thence by flights to Lon.
don via Chrfstiania and Stockholm
The total distance covered by the
flight from Ketchikan to London Il
estimated at 5000 miles.
Fuel is conceded to be the CHIEF
problem Of the proposed expedition
a supply ample for nfty hours Of
continuous hight win be carried and
those planning the attempt Axpresssd
the belief that this would. furnish ~
axcaas which vv0uld permit abort