Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-29

the field to greet Maitland and Hegen-
berger included Gov. Wallace r. Far
rington. Maj. Gen. William r. Smith
and Capt. Lowell III. Smith, found.the-
world Army flyers. without excep-
ton they predicted the fight would be
successful.
The 21st Infantry Band entertained
the crowd and made the rain more
endurable. Some of the spectators at
tempted to sleep through the noise.
AS the peak of the night passed the
crowd presented strange mixtures of
women gowned in evening dresses
and men in TuXedos mingling with
those clad in boots. slickers and
sweaters. Besides contributing band
music. the Army added a holiday
touch to the scene by going into ac.
ton with a field kitchen. dispensing
Hamburgers, hot dogs and coffee.
Crowd Drenched by Storm.
At am. the whir of the planes
motors h; not been heard, but Army
men and civilians who had waited all
night in rain declared their belief that
it's arrival would not be long delayed.
Three and one-half hours previously
the Army radio reported the giant
Fokker plane 700 miles from Hawaii,
going well through the night
A cheer broke from the group OF
Army men standing by the radio sta.
ton when d delayed message from
San Francisco. relayed from freight
er, reported that Maitland and Hegen.
berger expected to land here between
4:30 and $50 am. % am. Pacific time)
Twelve planes were ordered to stand
by in heavy rain. Thousands of spec
tators were drenched and sought
nearby shelter.
The storm at am. was increasing
in intensity and it was impossible to
see more than hundred feet. Search
lights vainly attempted to pierce the
gloom. their rays producing artificial
rainbows.
The rain eased within a few min
utes. but the field was heavily over
hung with clouds. The 10 planes for
the escort lined up under orders TO
| take off at 4:45 am. The planes began
warming up just as day began to
break over the field. The visibility
rapidly improved. and the mountains
to the west OF the field became visible.
Squadron Patrols Air.
The Wheeler Field squadron, Joined
by the planes from Lake Field, took
on at 4:45 I'm. GAS am. Pacific stand
ard time) and circled the Diamond
| 1ead-Koko Head district, bold promon.
tories jutting eastward toward the
mainland, whence the flyers were ex-
| pected to appear soon. They saw no
trace of the transpacific aviators. and
| continued their patrol of the air.
| The bank of clouds over the field
! lifted shortly before o'clock, to the
joy of the military and civil officials
anxiously awaiting the first glimpse
of Maitland and Hegenberger's plane
Diamond Head doomed stern and
stark in the morning mist. 1t was ex.
| pected to be the first Hawaiian land
sighted by the oncoming airmen.
An excursion party of the Oakland.
Calf, Chamber of Commerce, which
arrived yesterday. hoping to greet
| ernest Smith here. were among the
| most enthusiastic watchers despite
their disappointment over Smiths fail.
ure to take off yesterday from their
| city.
Waiting Crowds Dispersed.
Wearied by an all night vigil and
| drenched with rain. without the COM
| pensating thrill of greeting Maitland
and Hegenberger. the crowd of sew.
| eral thousand began to dispense be.
| fore $50 am. and soon a motor cara.
van was headed toward Honolulu. 25
| miles away.
| At this time the sun broke through
| the clowds around Diamond Head,
turning them to pale orange, then TO
a more brilliant hue. Hundreds of en-.
| listed men of the Army who had wait.
| ed through the night returned 70
| their quaters as the sub.tropicaI day
came into full brilliance.