Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-31
Outlines Position.

Outlining his position in state
ment yesterday, Comdr. Byrd said:
Announcement of the plans for an
aerial expedition TO the North Polar
regionus was made somewhat prerna-
turely, as none of the details have yet
been completed
MY experiences In the Arctic re-
gious last Summer convinced me o.
the entire practicability Of explors.
ton by aircraft of this sectio" "f the
world that hitherto has bee" I'"1r,S-p.
sible.
Financial support has beer pledged
by a number of private citizens and
we are now trying to reach q d.
sion as to whether an airship or Size
cially designed planes give the est
assurance of a successful outcome Of
the venture,
The expedition has no connection
with any others that are in contem.
plation and has no commercial back
ing in strict sense of the word, be-
ing an undertaking that will be
financed and managed by private in
dividuals.
My plans do not put me in COM
petition with the Detroit expedition.
The Detroit expedition has a splendid
! leader in Capt. Wilkins and should
give a good account of itself
Knows Both Machines.
Comdr Byrd is EQUIPPED TO
command an expedition by dIrIglbIe
or by airplane, as he is quanf 81 IN
both branches. In 1921 he went to
England to be one of the nayIgators
of the dirigible ZR-2 on its flight
! across the Atlantic, but that craft
was destroyed in the trial fight. IL
! addition he has flown airplanes for
several years, and because of las a.
| perience was Sc ected TO head the NY
! ing section of the Macmillan expedi-
/ ton.
Although the Navy will not be con
nected officially with the expedition,
| il may furnish some engines for the
| aircraft and may even assign
Comdr Byrd, who is now in Wash
/ ington on active duty, to the trip.
On the other hand. Comdr.
Byrd may apply for leave TO head the
expedition, and Secretary Wilbur. il
response TO ques lions, said yesterday
that such a request would be granted.
The Secretary added, however. that
he hoped the expedition would not
/ leave until all details had been thor
ough.y worked out and it was com
| pletely equipped to meet all contin-
gencieS.
| The primary object of the under
| taking will be to explore the region
north OF Greenland, Canada and
Alaska, using either Spitzbergen or
Etah, Greenland. as base. Present
! indications point TO Spitzbergen.
| especially If it is found possible to
leave here by April. An alternative.
| in case the departure cannot be made
| before August, is to go to Etah, es
tablish winter quarters, and hop of
| in the Spring of 1927.
Will Have Four Flyers.
| Comdr. Byrd expects to have four
as the ship and ground crews neces
! will permit Floyd Bennett, aviation
! pilot of Waterbury, Vt, to accompany
him. as he did on the Macmillan ex
I pedition. Bennett has been in ayia-
I ton work since he enlisted in 1917.
: Comdr. Byrd is Sc years old and
! has been a naval aviator since 1918
/ His home is in Winchester, Va, and
! he is brother OF Gov. Elect Harry
/ Flood Byrd.
| His spirit OF adventure was indi
! Gated when at II years of age he
made trip around the world alone
He holds the Medal of Honor for life
saving and Il citations for service
performed over and above the call OF
duty. He was retired for disa bility in
| 1916, due to injuries sustained in an
| accident in line OF duty, but since
/ then has been on active duty much
of the time, his services being utilized
! in special fields by the Bureau Of
| AeronautiCS