Evening star., 1925-08-21
MACMILLAN FINDS
ESUNSUTAbLE
Urges Use of DirigibIes in Far
horth-Navy Is Not
Enthusiastic.

Comdr Donald r. Macmillan is con
WINGED that far northern Arctic work
is extremely hazardous in heavier
tina n-air machines. and has placed HIM
self on record in favor of liShter-than-
air craft, which, he says. should be
sent north at The earliest "pportu-
nifty"
The leader Of the Macmillan Arctic
eSpedition gave his views in radio
message last night 10 the National
GeoSra phiC Society. in which he said
the plans for exploration o4the un-
known area Of the Polar Sea north
west Of Axel Heiberg Island could
not possibly have been carried out be-
fore cold weather sets in"
The veteran Arctic explorers dis
appointment In She practica bility of
airplan nes for Arctic work and his
faith in dirigibles or blimps Ito do the
work did not produce any comment
today In naval circles. There was no
indication that his recommends tions
that "hghter-than-air machines can do
the work and should do Il al the
earliest opportunity" would he acted
upon.
Navy Dirjg ibIes Wanted.
Comdr. Macmillan said the reason
why airplane work is extremely
hazardous is ''beca use Ia ndine places
, re uncertain and caches Of food md
a as can not be relied upon. fjord
ia free today and ice-bound tomorrow.
A. cache under such conditions is not
a "A Zip but menace. for If depended
upoA and a plane arrives out of fuel,
destr, lction Is the inevita BILE result.
VIM 'e Comdr. Macmillan did not
menti,A I either the Shena ndoah or Los
Aneele, by name. il is assumed here
he refeA "ed TO those diriglbles. The
Navy. in, the past. has not looked with
much en- husiasm on plans for send
ing either. # the two air cruisers into
the Arctic 2, II exploration work. Plans
for sending the Shenandoah to the
Arctic had n rogressed almost TO an
executive stae : when the project sud
denly was c,, rcelled before former
Secretary of the. Navy DENLY resigned
his cabinet post.
The Navy wasA appealed 10 Tor ana
in rescuing Roald Amundsen with the
dirigible. but on IA ciihihs 10 sehn 1t
into the Arctic, Seer etary Wilbur was
quoted as saving tia previous Polar
project was aba ndones | because II was
found, to he 'unwisa ana unsa ne
These past decisions olN dirlgibie work
in the Arctic We're the ohlN eFlaence
of the NaVy's attitude I . ward such a
recommendation in the absence OF
comments.
Byrd Plans New Tat.
In his message last night I comdr.
Mac MILAN said Lieut.. Comdr. hlchsrd
T.. Byrd, in command of Tho nafai
aviation section of the expN ltloh
wished to make one, more .mGht
with maximum loads 10 proys 10
himself more decisively that the w 'rk
cannot be done He also said - IL
the officials of the United States NaJN
could have seen conditions from th,~
air | am confident that orders would
have been issued 10 stop all work !
at once. due to bad weather clouds, /
fog and snow. THE. Navy Depart {;
ment took this action Yesterday be- /
fore receipt OF this message.)
Our plans, are now TO give the !
photographers and scientists of the F!
National Geographic Society every !
opportunity TO do R big and valuable
work by stopping at various places |
on the Greenland and Labrador !
coasts" said the message, "All are
enthusiastic and eager tn embrace
every opportunity.