Evening star., 1928-05-01
Wilkins Feat Unparalleled,
Verdict of American Press

An achievement. in many respects
unparalleled, is credited TO Capt.
George H. wilkins and Lieut.. Carl B.
Eielson. who few across Arctic wastes
from Point Barrow, Alaska, to Spitz-
bergen. Success after years OF effort
is seen as the result of courage and
persistence on the part of Capt. Will
kins, and the observations made in the
region of the Pole are hailed as inn
portant contributions to geographical
knowledge.
Capt. wilkins" according TO the
Louisville Courier journal. has accom-
plished a feat that is without prece-
dent, an aerial Journey to the Pole from
west 10 east, and the spanning of the
Arctic in a heavier-than-ai machine,
Wherever courage and perseverance are
admired wilkins Polar expedition will
receive its share of praise, though Arc
tic flights have ceased To appeal 10
popular imagination"
The Detroit News sees "at last the
true northwest passage. so long sought
by intrepid sailors; a passage proved
impossible by water, but now shown
feasible by air the shortest distance
between east and west over the curve
OF the world which follows latitude and
cuts longitude TO minimum"
Behind their 20ia hour passage
above the Arctic basin lies story OF
patience, industry and calm calculation
which denies the assumption that their
feat and others comparable with II are
merely sporting challenges To fate,
says the New York Sun, which adds:
They are. In fact, testimony to the
practicableness of new instrument OF
| f@asa fat W gfafnGmRn
captains OF industry and masters OF
commerce must deal"
wilkins feat" in the opinion OF the
Springfield fIll) State Journal, lis the
greatest achievement yet credited to
aviation 200 miles over an uneX-
plored region. conquering the Arctic
and sighting the North Pole Itself
Nothing like II has been done
by man" The Williamsport Sun cred
It's the two men with IAN exhibition
of daring and Of skill In aviation
which Is without peer, and II places
the two airmen In the front ranks oi
those who, in the past few years. have
been adding thrilling chapters 10 the
history of the conquest Of the air
They were IN reality air pioneers sc
| far as great part OF the territory
| they tranyersed was concerned states
, the Nashville Banner which suggests
that the success OF Capt, Wilkins at
tempt 10 explore the Arctic by All
| seems likely 10 cause school children 7
bit OF extra trouble. IL II likely now'
continues that paper. that maps mus'
| be changed and biographies rewritten
as soon as Capt. wilkins makes deh-
| mite reports Of his observations.
| All in all, too. the flight furnishes an"
other striking example of the remark
able reliability and power OF the ar
plane OF the day II given proper nan
| ding and weather conditions that hte
| even halfway possible
Another five years ana air excua
| sions across the Pole will be an stand
ard and safe as big-game hunting IN
| Africa" In the opinion OF the Dayton
| Daily News. OF The scientific value ol
| the fight the Passaic Daily Herald fo'
| cords: Three areas noted by cartog
rapheTs In their mapmaking 40 not en-
| ist. In the Arctic wastes. AZ IN tls
deserts. there are mirages that deceive
| the most careful of iaen. Whklhs
aloft In his plane, had better oppoI'
| tlnlties for observation IMAM Feely
| Stetansson, AmundHen ana ol1et e"'
pl0reFb." ,,,.. raoa,,.
The Springfield Republican recalil
that expeditions have spent years II
the Arctic and incurred terrible suffer
inga and much loss Of life to MAKE
smaller changes IN the map thar
Wilkins has effected In 20la hours O
| flying" In addition 10 these facts VI.
Toledo Blade emphasizes the point thal
| "other scientific data collected ny tlt
explorer will add greatly To the littl'
man knows about the, world lac llvei
ON abova the Arctic Circle"
| =
There is iittle left Of pioneer con
quest IN the air. says the Ashevill'
fumes. NOW IL must be the task ol
aviation science to consolidate ita vic
tories, reducing the data collected u
practical forms for the promotion d
wider knowledge of nying condition.