Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-12
DELAYS
| START h OF: FLIGHT
Unfayorable Weather Balks
/ Hop-0ff "Wednesday
i I'll for Mexico.

III from Boiling Field wednesday IOre'
4. noon having been. baked by generally
unfavorable weather conditions along
1.-THE projected nonstop flight route
from Washington to Mexico City, Col.
Charles A. Lindbergh today declined
TO predict the time of his departure
beyond the announcement that he
would leave some time within the next
10 days, or shortly thereafter.
Realizing the futility of endeavor.
ing to make the light schedule con-
form with predictions. it was SAID on
his behalf today that when the proper
conditions present themselves-condl'
lions relating to the firmness OF Boil
ing Field and weather along the line
of the flght--he would depart.
Not to Make Promise.
Those close to Col. Lindbergh today
emphasized that there VIII De no
repetition Of the situation that existed
on Long Island several months ago
when numerous ong-distance night
proiects were awaiting the take-oH.
II was recalled that day after day
PROMISES were made and never ful.
filled. not because of the pilots, but
the uncertainty of weather conditions.
The public, owing to the failure OF an.
nounced plans to be consummated, iost
interest in the pioneer undertaking, II
was held. Therefore Col. Lindoergns
friends are anxious that he In no de-
gree become susceptible Of such a
nublic attitude through failure to
carry out promises.
Mat Harvey s Burwell, command
ing officer of Boiling Field, who, with
representatives of the Navy ana De-
partment of Commerce. is assisting
Col. Lindbergh in an unofficlal capac'
jty, today explained that II the Mexico
flight were to be made in easy stages
Col. Lindbergh undoubtedly would De
on his way by now. "a flight or an
termediate landings would allow an
Immediate take-off," Maj. Burwell
said. ''but a nonstop overnight flight
REQUIRES timing the general weather
conditions over the entire route, espe'
cially over the IL to IA hours OF night
, travel. Col. Lindbergh estimates about
Is flying hours"
Boiling Field Is Soggy.
Boiling Field today was in state
of thaw and, aided by a drizzle. was
in no condition for the Spirit OF ST.
Louis to attempt a take-off with its
more than a ton load. even If weather
conditions between here and Mexico
City were ideal for the fight. The
softer the field the longer would be
the run to get up flying speed and 1t
was said that Col. Lindbergh would
not attempt to. get his heavily-laden
plane into the air under such coEdi'
TONS,
General weather along the line Of
flight was reported by the Weather
Bureau to be unsatisfactory. It is
known that Col. Lindbergh might con-
slider making the flight in weather
that is not perfect, but for the night
leg of the trip, over hills, swamps ana
wooded country, he would require con-
ditions as nearly perfect as possible.
Preparations involving both major
and minor details are being carried
out at Boiling Field. Maj. Burwell
who is representing T. Trubee Davi- |
son, Assistant Secretary Of War for
Aviation. is working with Lieut..
Comdr. Homer C. Wick. commanding
the naval air station at Anacostia
and representing Edward p. Warner.
Assistant Secretary or the Navy for
Aeronautics, and Maj. Clarence M.
Young, director OF the aeronautics
branch of the Department Of Com
inerce and representing William P.
MacCracken, jr., Assistant Secretary
Of commerce for Aeronautics. Both
Comdr. WIGS and Maj. Young have
taken responsibilities upon themselves |
In connection with the fight project. |
thereby bringing in every branch of |
Government aviation in the capacity |
OF assistant to COL Lindbergh. The |
youthful colonel is chairman" Of this
committee.
Escort. Of. Planes.
Among the plans for the take-off |
being considered today was an escort /
of nine planes, three from the Army,
three from the Navy and three from /
the Department Of Commerce. to ac-
company Col. Lindbergh on the first |
ADO miles of his flight.
.t.ll The Spirit of st. Louis reposed |
lIlh the heated engineering hangar of |
4 Boiling Field today. while detail of |
heei1anics, working under Sergt. Roy |
Hooes made a minute inspection of
.it. 1t was learned that the engine |
had. been thoroughly checked and
that the valves were found to be 80
little off," but this has been corrected. |
Before the famous plane takes the |
air r. an engine expert from the /
Wright Aeronautical Corporation in |
New Jersey, builders Of the power |
plant, will make a final inspection.
The original wheels Of the Spirit |
of st. Louis have been removed at |
Col. Lindberg's request, and larger
llln getting a flying start with the
lHeavy load.
s'a Maj. William r. Blair. weather ex-
pert of the Signal Corps, who fur
nished weather information to the /
Army world flyers in Alaska and
Labrador, has been called to keep |
close check on the general conditions.
AS soon as they appear favorable, |
Maj. Blair will ask for detailed tele-
graphic and cable reports from the
cities and towns over which Col. |
Lindbergh will fly.
Moves to Field.
Col. Lindbergh today moved to /
Boiling Field, taking up residence with |
where he will remain until the day OF /
the fight in order to be close at hand |
and familiar with every step taken |
concerning the plans and his plane. |
Tonight Col. Lindbergh will confer |
with Maj. Burwell, Comdr. Wick and |
Mai. Young at dinner at Maj. Bur. |
wells residence.
Col. Lindbergh spent some time this |
morning in the photographic Office of |
the Navy, assisting officers there in |
preparation Of a transatlantic air |
formation of others contemplating |
such a trip. While Col. Lindbergh |
was making his famous trip across |
the Atlantic, officers Of the Naval |
photographic Bureau were making a |
map from observations received from |
various steamers on the course.
Today Col. Lindbergh took his map |
and made notatiors OF his actual OBJ. |
servations during the trip, and 1t was |
said that they conceded at practically |
all points. Lieut.. Earl H. Kincaid |
and Lieut.. Eugene +. Burket dis |
cussed the observations Of Col. Lind. |
bergh with him and assisted in prep |
aration Of the chart.
Practically the entire Navy Depart |
ment stopped work to welcome the |
flyer and after leaving the hydro. |
graphic Office he was forced to push |