Evening star., 1926-05-18

Comdr. Byrd's dramatic flight tc
the North Pole in an airplane made
a profound impression on the pubic
mind, both as a feat in Arctic eX
ploration adding laurels to the tradi
tions of the American Navy and as
the most convincing of many recent
demonstrations of the practicabllity
of heavier-than-air craft. Coming just
ahead of the voyage over the Pole by
Amundsen in his dirigible, the Byrd
achievement was peculiarly gratifying
to his countrymen.
"All the world will acclaim his act,
all America will be proud of him, all
Virginia will glory in his pluck. his
perseverance, and feel at one with him
in the glow of satisfied ambition" de-
clares the Lynchburg News, as it
finds dramatic force in the story that
from boyhood Byrd had dreamed of
the moment that was his when he
landed at Kings Bay, Is hours after
he set out from that spot In hope and
determination to make that dream at
last a reality" The Wichita Beacon
saws there is a vicarious pride today
in the heart Of every American. while
the Nashville Banner records that
this latest triumph of an American
uV0G was dCHlcNcNl, liIO olhCA' Ao Y
been, by the exercise and display OF
unusual courage and ability"
x X s.
While Byrd's accomplishment
Seems but one of myriad OF daf.
ing expleits," the Flint Daily Journal
asserts. 1T is more; it is one OF the
greatest achievements of history,
enough to make a young officer, as
piring to fame for himself and his
country, risk his life in an attempt
that was by no means certain of out
come" Viewed In connection with
the whole process of discovering the
North Pole" the Schenectady Gazette
refers to the long history as lone OF
the great sagas that will always serve
to help breed the man-child capable
Of moral discipline and all kinds OF
achievement" The trail to victory,
the Atlantic City Press records. 'fs
marked by the bones of Inflated ex-
peditions that lie in Arctic waters, or
in snow-locked mounds. where the
moaning gales are their eternal
requiem
The winning of the Arctic handi-
can also impels the Bellingham Herald
to remark that 1.-The Far North still
holds much of transcendent interest;
is filled with mystery and lure for the
explorer" but that "the airplane and
airship have been developed to the
point where there is little chance that
it's mystery will be locked up much
longer"
X X y
"The greatest import of the feat,
argues the New Orleans Item, 'is its
demonstration of the effectiveness and
adaptability of the plane. 1t Is to be
hoped that the demonstration will not
be wasted upon the Nation or Its Of
ficials." Noting Furthermore that "a
polar jaunt may be undertaken in
confidence. and with no further dis
tress than If the course were along a
Government mail route" the Akron
Beacon Journal concludes that the
airship has arrived" The Albany
Evening Journal similarly points out
that Byrd accomplished In 15 hours
by plane a journey that took Peary
8 months by ship and dog sled,
while the Dayton Daily News, won
dering what the future holds for
North Pole tourists and adventurers.
is convinced that "the outstanding
worth Of his exploit, for the time. is
the assertion of the reliability Of the
airplane."
"Thus the spirit of man." says the
Atlanta Journal, destined for the sky,
takes unto itself wings on earth and
adventures the wide reaches Of the
air, as ages ago 1t made for a then
uncharted sea. For humankind as
well as tor America. We say. Comdr'