Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-15

NCCiltNluSO rum a - 4 1sst-
the Navy" Mr.. Adams said, land of
many loyal and admiring friends JOY
fully send Warmest congratulations III
you snd your gallant crew.
VOL have organized great expedi-
ton and accomplished a great fight
Lore months OF wise planning and
hard work were necessary.
Comdr Byrd'S ears must have burned
WREN the Navy head added, with care
full emphasis;
Leadership of high order gathered
and inspired your fine associates.
Final Flight Is Paid Tribute.
"Your final fight was made will!
splendid disregard of danger. Rare
nerve kept you from disaster. we are
proud of your great accomplishments
ind wish YOU all from our hearts a
prosperous voyage and safe return"
Secretary Adams spoke from the New
Willard Hotel Were he was attending
the Gridiron dinner. Special broad
casting facilities were arranged by The
hotel management.
Rear Admiral A. L. Willard, COM
msndant of the Washington Navy Yard
also conveyed to Comdr. Byrd the
admiration OF Ivy men for the cour-
age displayed b., one of their fellow
officers in the cause Of science. Admir-.
Willard also told Comdr. Byrd OF the
recent casting in bronze of 'Tecumsen.
noted figure head and goo OF the
Midd.es at Annapolis.
A few hours before the broadcast!ng
began The Star received nom
Condr Byrd, through the New York
Times radio station, radio2ram thank
ing The Star for arranging the radio
party. Comdr. Byrd said the pro-
gram would be of particular interest to
the seven Washington men with him.
The Star Extends Fluctuations.
On behalf of The Star and the people
of the National Capital, Oliver Owen
Kuhn, managing editor of The Star,
extended Fluctuations to Byrd and his
companions and declared that Wash
ington is waiting the day, we hope not
far distant, when you and your men
can be welcomed home again With open
arms"
Serving as master of ceremonies, Mr.
Kuhn announced the rapid succession
of special entertainment features,
ranging from selected numbers by the
Marine and Navy Bands and by groups
of local singers to mirthful and melo-
dious offerings by w. c. Fields, Dorothy
Britton and other stars and members OF
the cast of Earl CAROLS "Vanities,
playing at the National Theater.
OuspTlS3 nuI1lpSIS VI lIlG IiluSlCdl pIO-
gram included a special South Pole
fight" version of chorus from the
Christmas oratorio, Dawn of the
Desert" composed; by r. Deane Shure
and sung by a chorus of the Mount
Vernon Place NJ. f. Church South. ano
special song dedicated to Con7dr
Byrd, arranged by N. E. Diamond, stage
manager of the "Vanities" and sung by
the chorus of the show. There also
,1lN 60 y-y1-
the heart of Virginia's noted son, rem
,dered by the Imperial Male Quartet.
Band Plays in Barracks.
The whole program took place in the
luxurious studio of Station WRC, with
the exception of the speech by Secre-
tary Adams and the concerts by the
Marine and Navy Bands. The latter
were picked up" at the Marine Bar
racks and the Navy Yard. respectively
II Comdr. Byrd. scion of one of Vir.
ginia's oldest and most distinguished
families, is subject to home sickness
there must have been a lump in his
throat as he sat before the loud-speakeI
in his bleak ice-bound base in Little
America last night.
The first notes of music to reach his
ears as the program opened were the
,plaintive strains of the familiar Dixie
"hymn'-"Carry Me Back to or Vir-
ginny," played tenderly by the Marine
Band, under the personal direction oil
Capt. Taylor Branson, leader. In con-
nection with this number, there was ar
impressive cornet solo by the band;
second leader, Arthur s. Whitcomb.
In brief Introductory talk, Mr.. F.uhr
greeted Byrd on behalf of the city anc
told him that Washington is proud o.
YOUR brave exploits and the neroism o.
those men who have aided you IN YOU
adventures at the bottom of the world.
Warm Welcome Is Promised.
''The National Capital" he continued
~haS thrilled at your exploits and il
waiting the day-we hope not far dis
tant--when you and your men can b.
welcomed home again with open arms
for one of the warmest welcomes ever
accorded any man certainly Is before
you in the National Capital"
Capt. Branson also led his musician;
IN two spirited marches. The stars anC
Stripes Forever" and "Semper Fidelis,
and he brought the concert to a lose by
playing the famous Marine marching
song THE Halls of Montezuma." The
words of this song. descriptive of the
penchant of American Marines for ad.
venturescnle assignments in remote
corners of the globe, seemed particularly
appropriate for the occasion.
The special adaptation of the chorus
from the Yule oratorio by the chorus
OF the Mount Vernon Place Church wa!
cleverly conceived and impressively pre-.
scented. The original chorus was bull
around the appearance of the Star o.
Bethlehem and the emotions of those
who waited and watched for it. Mr.
Shure changed the words so as to de.
scribe the daring trail blazed acros.
the Antarctic sky by the Byrd plane
and picture the anxiety at first and tn,
JOY at last which gripped those lef
behind. The new text envisioned tn,
take-of of the plane from it's base
the battle to overcome hazard of tn,
mountains and ice, the suspense of thu
men in camp and. finally. the tri
umphant return. Mr.. Shure led tn
chorus in person.
Press Comment Is Told Byrd.
Mr. Kuhn sandWiched between tn
oratorio and the next offering eros
section Of American opinion" on Byrd
flight, CLEANED from newspapers of tn
nation. The editor concluded thi
summary by informing Comdr. Byrd o
'the single comment of his mother: 50
knew Dick would do it,"
The Imperial Male Quartet, wei