Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-05

accompany Chamberlin and even Le-
vines own wife did not know of his
| intention.
When the monoplane was close to
| the runway at Roosevelt Field from
which Lindbergh took off more than
two weeks ago, Chamberlin appeared
in flying clothes and took control, but
no navigator was in evidence. Levine
| wa, on hand but he was in ordinary
business clothes and bareheaded.
rs it possible that you are to be
the second man yourself?" some one
asked Levine, and he laughed shortly
as his wife looked at him in sudden
concern
Where did you get that idea?'' he
asked, and thon added, I'D like 70
60"
Mrs. Levine Hysterical.
When the plane was ready Levine
hoped into the cockpit beside Cham
berlin. Somebody said something about
his going to take little test flight.
Mrs. Levine showed some concern, but
was treasured by friends. Mrs. Cham
berlin was not at the field, having said
good-by to her husband at a Garden
City hotel so that her natural concern
might not upset him at the take-off.
The plane started down the runway.
was excitement, confusion, people ran
here and there and called unintelli-
gible messages. The plane slowed and
stopped, was hauled back to the run.
ways top. Levine was still in the
cabin. He waved. He looked beseech-
ingly at his wife, and again the plane
roared down the runway.
This time it lifted gently into the
air, climbed steadily for altitude. AMI
IAV A@I >ec g., II. E.
the ocean, for Europe and for fame to
be wrested by flying fairly into the
face of deadly danger.
Mrs. Levine uttered a sudden cry.
Friends rushed to her side. She be-
came hysterical and was led, sobbing,
to an automobile, which drove her
rapidly away. The Columbia, silver
dragon fly with yellow wings, dimin-
ished into the distance and disap-
peared.
Reports Are Frequent.
Two hours later the monoplane
was sighted over Massachusetts,, head.
ing out to sea. AT noon it was seen
above Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and
from there its progress was reported
at frequent intervals by the Canadian
press. 1t was the staff of this news
service that reported the passage of
Newfoundland and their reports on
Chamberlin were even more frequent
and faster.
The Columbia reached Yarmouth at
1906 pm. and at 1918 the Canadian
press report of its passage was in the
office of the Associated Press in New
York and had been relayed all over
the United States. At ITO the plane
passed over La Have harbor and the
report was in New York at 119. 1t
passed Shag Ledge, 80 miles east of
Halifax, at 1855, and the world knew
Of 1T at 2:O3 by the speedy reporting
of the Canadian press.
The first part of the journey was
made against head winds and when
Yarmouth was reached the average
speed was only 68 miles an hour. At
that time Chamberlin was more than
an hour and half behind the flying
time Of Lindbergh, When Nova
Scotia was reached, however, speed
jumped up to 100 miles an hour and
it was reported that the flyers had
picked up a 20-mile tai wind which
was showing them through the skies
at steadily increasing speed as their
weight of gasoline diminished.
itinerary i'm Doubt.
If the 100-mile rate should be main
tanned throughout the rest of the
journey the Columbia would reach the
Irish coast about o'clock New York
time) Sunday afternoon. From there
the itinerary has been left in doubt.
Berlin has been most prominently
mentioned as the probable destination,
but Rome has also been mentioned,
and it has been said that the flyers
may merely continue over Europe
until the gas gives out, which, it is
| believed. would be considerably be-
yond either Berlin or Rome.
If the course should lie over Paris,
that city would be reached on the
Neutrality-suspicious. schedule, about s
o'clock, New York time, tomorrow
night, which would be / o'clock Mon
day morning, French time. II il then
continued to Rome, the plane should
arrive seven hours later. II the course
were laid from Ireland straight to
Berlin the flyers should arrive there
at midnight, New York time
There seemed to be almost as much
general interest during the day in
the wives the flyers left behind them
as in the aviators themselves. Both
women went into Seclusion after their
husbands left, Mrs. Levine going to
her country home on Long Island TO
! await news of her husband with her
two daughters, 9 years and months
| old, and Mrs. Chamberlin left the TO.
tel where she had been with her hus-
band to go to the home OF lrien1s.
Wife Expresses Hope.
After her outburst on the field Mrs.
| Levine soon got her emotions in han
hand in the afternoon was reported to
be in good health, though ttill nerv-
Gus. She was kept informed of all
developments by the Associated Press
and said that she had full confidence
| in the successful termination of the
| flight.
IF my husband is game enough to
make the flight, she said, Il am
game enough to believe in him."
| 1t was learned after tie Columbia
left that Levine had left a letter for
his wife in which he begged her for.
giveness and told her That it was his
wish to spare her feelings that lad
made him conceal even from her his
intention of accompanying Chamber.
lin. He told her that it had been his
lifelong ambition to make such q
journey.
Levine, by his sudden action, be-
came a romantic figure overnight,
AS financial hacker of Chamberl:n he
had previously figured largely in the
public mind in come :tion with the
many dissensions which were at least
partially responsible for DELAYING an
earlier take-off, possibly even before
| Lindbergh.
He felt, 1t became known, that he
had become the object of widespread
criticism which he did not deserve.