Evening star., 1926-05-10

when we will know all about the vast
deeps of the polar region.
THOMAS W. HARRISON-Re
sentative of the seventh Virginia dis
trict, where Comdr. Bryd lived most
OF his life-This is great news for the
people of my district, who have long
known the Bryd family. l have known
the Bryd boys since their early child
hood. Their father was law partner
OF mine. They are all men OF fine
character and great intelligence.
know that everybody in Winchester
VIII take the greatest interest and
pleasure in the success that has at
tended the efforts of this young Vir-
ginian. l am sincerely delighted over
this exploit
HENRY ST. GEORGE TUCKER.
Representative This is certainly
wonderful news. l am delighted be-
yond measure over Comdr Byrd's
stupendOus achievement | hope he
will speedily return to us safely.
B. III. Representative from
New Nork-This is a great contribu-
ton to. science, and will rebound to
the credit of the United States the
world over. 1t is a wonderful ac-
complishment. | hope that the sci
entific data that Bryd obtained will
tally with that heretofore collected.
in order that no doubt may arise in
the public mind that Comdr. Byrd
reached the Pole. l had A talk with
Comdr. Byrd few days before he
started North. and was impressed
with the confidence that he had with
his undertaking. 1t is great news.
and everybody concerned with the
venture is deserving of congratula.
tions.
JOHN BARTON PAYNE. presi.
dent of the American Red Cross and
formerly Secretary of the Interior
1t is most gratifying that an Ameri-
can Navy officer has reached the Pole
in the flight, and beaten his rivals
in search for the same land. l be.
lieve that the information which he
has been able to obtain in this way
will be the most thorough scientific
data the world has received on the
subject. I am proud that an Ameri-
can accomplished the feat. and that
the Nation is still producing such ad-
venturous spirits as our forefathers
the founders and the pioneers of
early days.
GEORGE OTIS SMITH, director of
the Geological Survey-That was a
great days work. Every one in the
scientific service of the Government
Is proud to have another representa-
tive Of the Navy reach the Pole, es.
pecially as Comdr. Byrd had eXcep
tional opportunities for seeing so
much on his courageous trip
GEORGE r. PUTNAM, commits
sioner of Bureau of Lighthouses and
a member of the board of trustees of
the National Geographic Society,"
consider this very important feat
and one of the achievements of the
age. Comdr. Byrd undoubtedly saw
a great deal of an area never seen, al
though in this flight he would not see
the land that many suppose exists
between Alaska and the Pole.
DIR. CHARLES D. WALCOTT, sec
retary of the Smithsonian Institution
and chairman of the National Advisory
Commission on AeronauticS-I am de-
lighted to hear the news from Kings
Bay. There are two aspects to the
fight of Comdr. Byrd, as I see it.
The first is that of Comdr. Byrd
going out as a man in line of duty,
taking his life in his hands, as did our
American boys flying over the battle
lines in France during the great war,
courageous in the extreme and seek
ing only to accomplish a great pur-
pose.
I am glad to learn of the report
that he has accomplished that pur-
pose and feel that it could only have
been done through display of the
same indomitable courage that char
acterized our American soldiers, sail
ors and marines in the war.
The second aspect is that of tech
nical data obtained in observations
during the fight. AS far as such
technical data is concerned we can
know nothing until the record of his
observations has been turned in for
examination.
1t was a wonderful piece of work,
demonstrating the extreme impor-
tance of preparedness and clear
headed planning and the value of
equipment in modern aviation.
The advances in aviation have been
remarkable in the last few years, and
achievements such as this are simply
a. forerunner of what is coming. l