Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

out head first, counted two pulled the rip cord,
and the next thing he knew was that he was
floating downward through space, reaching the
ground nice and easy. While drifting to a
landing he watched the ship, and it was gliding
with the wing tips Topping up and down. On
reaching the ground and getting free Of the
parachute harness. every one rushed to the
ship to render any aid needed as it seemed
that all realized that the pilot and his mechanic
were still In it. After finding that both men
were uninjured, Pvt Stokes said he personally
felt whole lot better. He felt no i'll effects
from the jump, although his left shoulder hurt
a little, no doubt due to the jerk he received
when the chute opened.
Pvt. Roy v. Lockwood made his exit from
the plane through the trapdoor of the cabin.
He stated quite little trouble was experienced
with the door, since it was q new one and bolts
had been placed in the hinges instead OF cleviS
pins. The emergency release failed, and there
was q night latch attached to the door, which
caused some delay in opening it. The trap
door worked all right, and he dropped through
1t feet first. In coming down after the chute
opened he tried to keep the plane in view,
knowing that the pilot, Lieut.. Maxwell, and his
mechanic stuck with their ship. AS soon
he came to an easy landing on the ground and
freed himself from the harness he ran to the
plane, and was relieved to find both men
uninjured.
THERE was nothing Of q spectacular nature
about the jumps Of these six men, nor
should the fact that all of them landed safely
on terra firma cause any undue wonderment.
The Army type parachute needs no additional
proof OF its high efficiency as a safety device.
Given half a chance, it will do its STUFF and
bring the jumper down safely.
While 1t is true that several lives have been
lost in airplane accidents where the parachute
90 rftYoo 70 incfa
cannot be attributed to any defect in the big
slken umbrella, but rather to the human ele
ment--the fatal mistake of the jumper in
pulling the rip cord before he was clear of the
falling airplane, thus causing the shroud lines
to become entangled In some part of the air
plane and bringing the jumper down in the
crash
from this unusual incident is the vital necessity
of keeping cool in time of danger. Here were
six men who refused to become excited In q
moment of peril. All of them fully realized
their danger and were keenly aware of the fact
that the airplane was making dive to de-
struction. Yet there was no crowding or push
ing, no wild stampede and no hySteria They
were optimists all, and evidently firm believers
in the popular expression that everything will
come out all right" Their conduct should be
an inspiration to all of us, and should be pro-
claimed to the world much the same as the
famous message of Garcia.
Countless lives have been lost because in
times of stress people lost all shreds of reason,
became panicky and dashed madly for safety,
having utterly no regard for the lives of those
weak or helpless.
These six men should be accorded special
honors in the famous order of CATERPILLAR
Their exemplary conduct should be lauded Just
as much o. that disquieting state of mind
panic-shculd be decried.