Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-07-10
VIM. HalNES OF THE BYRD
EXPEDITION GREETED HERE


would arrive here Monday on his
way to Reinersville, his old home,
to visit his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. j.
D. Haines. Preparations were be-
gun at once, to have an informal
Homecoming here for this man now
world famous.
Spending Sunday at Columbus.
Mr.. Haines arrived here at 1918 p.
M, Monday, by taxi. The towns
were decorated in his honor with
flags, and the Malconta Post Band
enlivened the occasion, with some
good music He was escorted to the
steps of the court house where DR..
j. B. Naylor made short address in
which he stated that BILL Haines
shook salt on Byrd's tail and he
hoped off" He presented Mr..
Haines to the big crowd assembled.
The famous meteorologist expressed
his appreciation, to the citizens Of
Morgan county, for the reception
rendered him. He stated that he
did not make speeches, but would be
glad to answer such questions as he
could He said that speech he
might make would detract from any
accomplishments that he might have
to his credit. Following reception
in which he met many of his old
time friends and relatives, he con-
tinued on his way to his old home
at Reinersville.
While no public speaker, Mr..
Haines is delightful conversation
alist. Since 1912 he has been in
employ of the u. S. weather depart
ment. In the year 1926 when Byrd
was getting up his expedition for
the North Pole, he asked the govern
ment to loan him Haines. which was
done. In preparing for his Antarctic
expedition he again asked the gov
ernment for Haines (this shows the
estimate that Byrd puts on the
worth of the Reinersyille NAM. The
government granted the request, and
the National Geographic Society
took care of Mr. Haines' salary while
he was on the expedition. From
our brief interview with Mr.. Haines
we learned some interesting facts
concerning this, one of the greatest
expeditions in history.
They left Sept. 16, 1928, on the
Eleanor Boiling; arrived Nov. % of
the same year at Little America -
where the base was established
about 700 miles from the South
Pole; building their houses there OH
the ice, where they were located Ia
months During that time the cold
est temperature was 72.4 degrees
below zero. The warmest weather
there is during the months of De
cember and January. The warmest
weather was experienced when it
was slightly above freezing. I'm
derneath the ice barrier which was
about 13 feet thick, on which the
feet of water. During the summer
there are many seals. and Mr..
Haines said they seemed to have no
fear whatever of the members OF
the party. Gulls are also seen dur
ing the warmer months. and snow
petrels. Several species of the
smaller whale-about 35 to 40 feet
in length. are there also.
The barrier Mr.. Haines described
as vertical wall of ice-or rather
solidly packed snow, 100 to 200. feet
high. This barrier had to break up
before the ship could leave. Since
the barrier is broken up but for a
very short while, all haste possible
had to be made in packing up and
leaving. A brief delay would have
meant probably another year down
there
The clothing worn by members of
the party was of wool, with fur
hoods and capes. They slept in
sleeping bags. During the -four
months of total darkness, Mr..
Haines and his assistant were busy
collecting records and carrying on
their work just the same as during
the long period of light. Through
the radio, the party were in con-
stant communication with Byrd OF
his motor plane flight from the base:
over the pole; and Mr.. Haines told
of the tense moments listening to
the hum of the motor, as it neared
the pole, and finally sailed over.
Although at the coldest place in
the world, Mr. Haines said that not
member of the party contracted
any cold during the many months in
that barren country While a men,
ber of the party suffered an attack
of appendicitis along the way, he
stated that there was no sickness of
any other sort among the members
of the party. The land about the
pole is a high plateau. The ice bar
rier he described as packed snow.
Asked the question as to the posi-
bility Of the government setting up a
weather bureau in that section of
the world, Mr.. Haines said he does
not believe that it will be done, not
at least for the present Mr.. Haines
does not place commercial value on
the trip, although he stated that the
mountains there may be rich in
precious minerals. The trip was
just an exploration, he said.
Since his return, Mr.. Haines has
been at many big receptions, the
most noted being that of New York
City. He has been presented with
several medals-one by Mayor Walk
er in behalf of the City of New
York another by the Aeronautic
Club of America, which medal is of
beautiful silver design. Congress,
we understand, is also to confer
medals on the members of the par
ty. Rear Admiral Byrd, Mr.. Haines
thinks, is wonderful man, and a
mighty good sport. Haines was a
sergeant in the World war.
M. Haines expected to spend a
week or SO with his home people,
and then goes to assist some mem
bers of the Byrd expedition, with
air photography, and then will prob
ably return here, before resuming
his position at Washington, d. c..
with the weather bureau. All the
Z Hoofh'c Tell 7