Evening star., 1925-02-04
A|RMAN TO RUSH
NEW NOME SERUM
Darling Offer to Fly Through
Storm Approved by United
States Officials.

While one doctor and a few nurses,
armed with the first precious anti
toxin brought at record breaking G
speed by dog sledge, fought the ris-
ing tide of diphtheria at Nome, Roy
A. Darling, Department of Justice
agent planned to hop off today, If
possible, in commercially-owned
airplane from Fairbanks to make a
hazardous overland flight of more
than ESQ miles in Winter weather
carrying additional serum for the
stricken city.
This was revealed today as several
agencies of the Government here were
lending every assistance, and eager
ly listening in" on the lines of COM
munication to Alaska to follow his
progress in what Is admitted in Of
fetal circles here to be the dangerous
adventure of an heroic volunteer.
Darling Wires Plans.
The latest word direct from Darling
personally was received by Delegate
Dan Sutherland of Alaska. 1t was a
telegram from Anchorage, dated Mon
day. as Darling was on, his way to
Fairbanks by rail, and read as fol-
lows:
Leave Fairbanks Wednesday morn
ing for Nome. Be sure that instruc-
tions are issued to deliver serum to
me at Nenana tomorrow en- route
Fairbanks"
Indications of a slight hitch in the
delivery of serum to Darling were
revealed in another unofficial mes
sage from Alaska today, Delegate
Sutherland said. but it was expected
that this would be Strengthened out
by the cooperation of the Post Office
Department, which has charge of the
mail routes in Alaska and in whose
ustody the serum was believed to-
day to be.
The serum, which Darling plans to
carry across the peninsula by air, is
part of a shipment of 100000 units
which was forwarded by the Public
Health Service from Seattle to Sc
ward. The exact location of the
serum today was unknown to Wash
ington. although it was expected to
be rushed from Seward to Anchorage
and over the railroad to Nenana.
One million units left Seattle today
in addition to the two other ship
ments going before.
Would Split Shipment.
1t was suggested by DIR. NJ A
White, acting surgeon general of the
Public Health Service, and Delegate
Sutherland, that the serum shipment
now about to be sent to Nome from
Nenana be split into two parcels,
with about 650,000 units in one pack
age for the airplane, and the re-
mainder in another package for the
dog sledge of the mail trail.
In sending such precious ma
terial," said DR.. White today, fit
might be well not to put all your
eggs in one basket"
,ltr Hoc nrdo 70
make the trip. He volunteered to do
it, officials here explained. The De-
partment Of Justice took action only
in "authorizing" him to make the trip,
and releasing him for the period
necessary.
II, and when, Darling hops off from
Fairbanks, in one of the two planes
which are believed capable, it is ex
pected he will fly to Nenana, and then
follow the general direction of the
dog sledge trail. In case of an acct
dent, therefore, he would be more
likely to be rescued from the peril
of the northern Winter, which has
been sending the thermometer far
below zero.
Plane Type Uncertain.
There was some uncertainty here
as to just what type of airplane was
available at Fairbanks. Delegate
Sutherland was informed. however,
he said, there were three different
planes in storage there, owned by
commercial companies. One of these.
he said, was too small, with only
n two-hour fuel capacity and would
thus be out of the question. He had
been informed, however, he said, by
those who know, that the flight
might be accomplished by one of the
other two.
Ben Ellison, well known aviator,
now stationed at Langley Field, who
made many trial flights in Alaska
recently, has been in conference with
in the past few days with Delegate
Sutherland. Ellison was confident, it
was reported, that under favorable
conditions the flight might be made,
even In Winter and with the equip
ment at Fairbanks.
Darling Will have with him Ralph
Mackie, formerly of the Royal Fly
ing Corps.
Five Deaths Reported.
kilograms arrived today at the
Public Health Service from Dr. Cur
tis Welch, the only physician in Nome
reported that on February 3 the ept-
demic record was % cases, 5 deaths
and 80 sore throats under observation.
With the serum brought at great sac
rlHce py dog sledge and other addi-
ional serum which, 1t is hoped, the
airplane will be able to bring shortly,
DR.. Welch indicated in his telegram
he had confidence of being able to
suppress the epidemic The number
of cases Acting Surg. Gen. White
said, had increased over DIR. Welch's
prior report to the Public Health
Service.
Under the circumstances, DR.. Welch
told the Public Health authorities
here, he feels he has done very well
With the limited supply of materials
with which to fight
DAILY, the nurses make their rounds,
1t was reported, and all persons who
nave sore throats are immediately
put under the inspection and treat
ment of the physician.
NEW SERUM STOCK SENT.