Evening star., 1928-04-22
OFFICIALS PRAISE
E|ELSON'S FLIGHT
wilkins Companion Was
Former. House Office Build
| ina Guide-Studied Law.

The aiSht Of Capt George H. wilkins
and Carl Eieison from Point Barrow
to Snitsoergcn was highly praised IN Of
feial circles here yesterday.
Secretary Wilbur declared the feat q
wonderful accomplishment from navi-
rational standpoint as he must have
caSsed In close proximity to the two
poles. the magnetic and true"
Secretary of War Davis teleSraphed
CONGRATULATIONS. You have added
another splendid chapter 10 America
flustriouS contributions TO aviation
progress"
Assistant Secretary Davis Of War De-
rartgnent aeronautics telegraphed the
explorer that words fail to express my
sincere admiration for your wonoeriua
feat. On behalf Of your comrades IN
the Army Air Corps I extend heafleE
congratulations"
the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, Saio
that wilkins followed much the same
course planned for the diriglole Shen-
sndoah before she was wrecked,
Passed North Pole.
He said that the great circle passes
over Nome. Alaska. across the North
roie To SpitEbergen, and tilat me
Hyer kept MS course he could not nave
Arctic area and the North Pole.
Admiral Moffett said that he as
sune6 Wilkins used 8 sun compass as
Corndr. Richard Byrd did in his flight
from Spitzbergen to the Pole ana re-
tlsrn
"Hesrtiest congratulations on your
splendid fight from Alaska over the
North Pole TO SpitEbergen," Secretary
Kellogg telsgraphed. II is wonoefIm
accomplishment"
Two men IN Washington in Official
Representative Olger 8. BurtnesS
Of North Dakota and Delegate Dan A.
Sutherland cf AiaSks-are particularly
efsd that their friend. Carl Ben Eielson,
has achieved fame.
Guard nj House 0fIieeS.
Representative Burtness got EielSon
his lob as q guard at the House once
Building. for they are both natives OF
North Dakota. and the member Of Con-
gress recalled last night that EielSoa
was STUDYING law at George washington
Tfniversity during the school year 1921
iaa2. but did not complete his course.
Nfr. Burtness is we'll acquainted with
EielSons folks. the ayers father oeing
4 merchant at Hatton. N. OAK, COM
p,urity of 700 or 500. The elder Eielson
IL practically q picneer in thai country
snn is Of Norwegian stock.
"I am mighty pleased at the record
Ben has made" Representative Burt
ness declared last night. "Of course.
am particularly delighted that boy
from my district has hown over the un-
known Arctic He Is entitled 70 greai
credit. Ben was born and reared IN my
district. and ! have known hlm loF
wears. he is very nlodeSt-very reoT-
fT-f1A STfG-
bergh.'
Mr.. BurtneSs saw Eielson the last
time last Summer In North Dakota al
tf,p State convention of the American
Legion. for Eielson Is q former service
man, When EielsoIs was in Washing
ten he was g buddy" Of Mr.. BurtneSs
secretary. the late George Brodie, VINO
finished law here and went TO praciice
IN California.
The North Dakota Representative saw
E1elson at Fairbanks. Alaska. in lg25
and recalled last night that the aviator
made an exhibition fight witnessed oy
the late President Harding during tne
Chief Executives visit TO the Territory
Taught Alaskan School.
@Desegate Sutherland had a laTgs
siszre IN Eielzon's going to Alaska, for,
wlaTse the flyer was here he often con-
versed with Aiaskas Official represent
nEive in Washington concerning the
terri-orv. Mr.. Sutherland said that he
advised Eieison 70 80 70 Alaska. Tf1e
nVer taught English for year at the
FAIRBANKS High School. bat the lure
q seronantieS vas too strong tor nln
end through Mr. Sutherland be got the
Pest once Department interested IN
en- mai flying il Alaska
Eaels0n obtained plane through Col.
Paul Henderson. then second assistant
postmaster general. and few the hr6t
er mail in Alaska Mr. Sutherland
kzfd. using skis on the plane and DEM
onxarating that Winter flying was not
only feasible but profitable. During
their talks IN Washington, Mr.. Suther-
land had some doubt about operating
airnianes in an atmosphere 40 70 so
degrees below zero. he said. but EteiSon
had the idea that that would mean
o freedom from air pockets.
Mr.. Sutherland sai6 that Eielson used
70 Hy to washington frequently when
ne vas on duty al Langley Field. va
Previously he mad served in the Wnrlo
War the delegate said. ano had been
an instructor. EielsOn Is nov about 80
years old.
FLIES Plane Route.
Referring last night 10 Eielson and
his spectacular fight. Mr. Sutherland
said IT was q marvellous flight. One
hss 70 consider that while the German
ayeTs had considerable diflculty with
the lee where they have lanfed, Eiel-
son snc wilkins we're in the extreme
Of the Arctic winter II Is safe 10
assume that the weather VAS nlucn
colder there This flight marks new
milestone IN the flying snnals OF
Alaska
Elelsoa Is associated al Fairbanks
N9fh tNe aslstors. Joseph Crosson and
George King. ia ar aiTplsr1e company:
Carrying principally passengers and
Tre3gni. from that point 10 ali over the
TeFY4tory. Ele!scns cd air mail route
sn Alaska vas from Fairbanks 70 Nc
(5rsfh or the KuskOq9im Valley.
During the Summer Of 1924 Ar GiiEl-
erlafl6 vent or an automobile bptir
through the Territory with Eielson. He
found the young flyer 70 be fine
Y4echsnte. reserved and efficient Inf
Last time Mr. Sutherland sa3 Eielson
Szk IN Washington about two yeaFE ago.