Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
Giant Air Liner Averages Bet
ter Than so Miles
an Hour.
WINDS MAY FORCE SHIP
SOUTH TO SAN FRANCISCO
West Coast Cities Prepare Warm
Welcome for Graf's Arrival
Some Time Tomorrow.
By the Associated rress.

By the Associated rreSs.
SAN FRANCISCO, August as
The position of the Graf Zeppelin
at 1:25 am. Sunday, Eastern stand
ard time. as intercepted by the
Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co. to-
night, was latitude As degrees 80
minutes north. longitude l54 de-
GreeS west.
That position gave her less than
1000 miles TO 70 before reaching
California.
SAN FRANCISCO, August "a
Radio messages from the world-tourins
Graf Zeppelin indicated that giant air.
ship late today was more than half
way across the Pacific on her brave
flight from Kasumigaura, Japan. to
Los Angeles. distance of $40 miles
II the rate Of progress which the
zeppelin averaged since leaving Japan
Friday was maintained she was ex-
pected to be seen over San Francisco
In the early hours of Monday Adverse
winds made it possible that Seattle
would not be visited, and that San
Francisco, directly on the great circle
route OF shipping, would be the FIRST
mainland point Of western America to
sight the craft.
Breasting the winds over the vast
waste OF the Pacific Ocean. plowing
through the fog and the night,
drenched with rain, the air express
bore its 10 passengers and crew of Al
safely on toward their goal.
U. S. Offers Aid.
Only occasionally did the dirigible S
veteran commander. DR.. Hugo Eckener,
think 1t necessary to give her position,
for she had maintained an average
rate OF 81 miles an hour since she left
Japan. At pm. Eastern standard
time, the Crafts position was given as
1920 degrees north latitude and l66 30
west longitude. She was approxima te-
ly $500 miles on her way to Los An
Eeles with less than 5000 miles to 60.
The United States Government
stretched an aiding hand over the seas
to draw the Graf Zeppelin safely to
Americas shores. The Weather Bureau
gathered its reports and radioed them
TO the commander. DR.. Eckener. to
guide him in dodging adverse winds
and developing storms All American
ships of war were ordered to stand by
should the Graf falter in flight.
Commercial shipping was mustered
into the service of the dirigible, too, to
give reports of position and be ready for
emergency.
Cities Prepare for Welcome.
On tne malnland, CIVIC communities
prepared to do honor to the visitors.
Seattle still hoped to be the first to
welcome her, despite the advice of the
Weather Bureau to Eckener to avoid
reaching the coast at that northern
latitude because Of meteorological dis
turbances. At Tacoma preparations
were made to use mooring mast
should emergency speed the dirigible
there.
But Los Angeles. confidently awaiting
the airship's arrival, went forward with
plans to acclaim the conclusion Of the
Pacific flight. and later tn speed the
Graf Zeppelin on to Lakehurst, N. j..
the start and finish of her fight around
the world.
Better Time Is Made.
TOXIC, August 25 lP.-With third
of the Pacific Ocean behind her, and
speeding on to the halfway mark on
her 5.400-mile flight to Los Angeles.
the Graf Zeppelin at midnight Satur-
day was racing toward America at
speed of nearly 70 miles an hour.
Her position at midnight Saturday
Continued on Page 4, Column ~