Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-21

and pilot of Byrd during his trip by pls
also placed wreaths on the tOmbS of A,
the lodestone draws the mariners
needle. until he comprehends its Sc
cret"
Earlier in the day. nan interview
with the press the admiral disclosed his
hope of returning some day to Antarctica
to further delve into the mysteries of
Marie Byrd Land, the eastern bounda-
ries Of which are unknown.
Surveyed 100, 900 Square Miles.
Byrd told the society's guests that
TOO miles were flown over during the
long stay on the ice, that 2.100 miles
were covered by dog team and that the
total area surveyed and investigated
covers approximately 100000 square
miles.
New land and new mountain ranges
were discovered and large portions of
the Ross Ice Barrier explored" he said.
Marie Byrd Land lies east of the 150th
meridian and so outside the dependency
claimed by Great Britain. 1t was first
observed on flight December l8, 1928.
and claimed in the name of the United
States.
Then, on December 5. 1929, after
five unsuccessful attempts, we succeeded
in flying over the Heretofore impene-
trable area on the eastern coast of the
Ross Sea. Here, beyond the ice islands
and the shelf ice that have turned
back all explorers since Sir James
Clark Ross, we discovered. first, a mag
ntficent range of mountains and, next
an extensive coast contiguous with and
providing access to the plateau of
which Marie Byrd Land is a southern
boundary. This area also lies outside
the Ross dependency.
Land Claimed for America.
Finally. the geological party, under
Prof. Gould, penetrated Marie Byrd
Land and claimed 1t for the United
States"
Byrd declared his Investigations had
dispelled certain erroneous concep-
tionS"-for example, that Carmen
Land" reported by Amundsen, exists,
at least to the extent shown in maps.
This and other contrary findings, he
emphasized, must not be considered as
rejecting on Amundsen, whose range
OF vision was limited to what he could
see from the ground.
The admiral said the complete find
ings of the expedition would be in
corporated in four volumes. He has
instructed his companions to begin at
once on their portions of the narrative
Byrd will contribute a chapter on
geographical phases.
On the platform last night, in addi-
ton to President Hoover. DR.. Grosve-
nor, and members of the expedition
were the Presidents younger son, Allan
Hoover, DR.. John Oliver LaGorce, vice
president of the National Geographic
Society, and number of the White
House staff, including Secretary George
Akerson.
Grouped in boxes at the side were
Vice President Curtis and his sister.
Mrs. Edward Everett Gam; Secretary
Mellon, Attorney General Mitchell
Secretary of the Interior Wilbur, and
number of other officials with their
wives. When the film was shown those
on the platform took reserved seats in
front of the stage.
Ceremonies Broadcast.
The ceremonies were broadcast by
national network of the National Broad
casting Co.
Yesterday afternoon, at Arlington,
Byrd placed memorial wreaths on the
tombs Of Admiral Peary, Bennett,
Admiral Wilkes and Col. E. Lester
Jones. late chief of the Coast and
Geodetic Survey. Peary was first to
discover the North Pole, Bennett was
to have been Byrd's pilot to the South
Pole and Wilkes was Americas pioneer
explorer
Earlier in the afternoon he was
given rousing ovation at the Capitol.
which he and his men visited at the
special invitation of Vice President
Curtis and Speaker Longworth.
Not long after Byrd's visit to the
Capitol the House passed a bill appro-
prlating $500 for Congressional Medals
Of Honor to be awarded members of
the party. The medals will be of gold,
silver and bronze. Byrd will be con-
suited regarding their design.
Col. and Mrs. Lindburgh could not
attend the ceremonies in the Audito-
rum, but sent the following message
to DR.. Grosyenor:
Mrs. Lindbergh and deeply appre-
ciate your invitation to attend the Ma
tional Geographic Societys reception
to Admiral Byrd. We regret very much
that 1t is not possible for us to be pres
ent and take part in honoring Admiral
Byrd for his latest great achievement"
The platform last night was deco
rated with the American flag and the
official flags of the National Geographic
Society and the Byrd Antarctic Expe-
dition. The Byrd flag bears a globe,
around the equator of which is in
scribed the name of the expedition and
across the upper half of which is a
plane In flight. This is the official in
sigma of the party