Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-10
CARLSBAD CAvERNSI
EXPLORERS DEPARTd
Expedition to Seek Secrets
of Largest Cave in ="
the World"

Equipped to plunge into unexplored
depths Of Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico,
the largest cave in the world" which
Is now operated as a national monu-
ment by the United States National
Park Service, party of 10 persons, head
ed by Frank Ernest Nicholson, received
their official send-off from New Mexico's
delegation in Congress yesterday, and
this morning left by motor caravan to
pick up additional members of the
party, and more equipment en- route to
the Southwest.
The official greetings of the State of
New Mexico were extended yesterday at
the Capitol, where Mr.. Nicholson and
his party were met by Senator Sam q.
Bratton Senator Bronson Cutting and
Representative Albert Gallatin Simms.
The Governor of New Mexico. r. C,
Dillon, has wired the party his welcome.
and says he will personally greet them
at Carlsbad.
Ranger VIII Go Along.
Government forest ranger will ac-
company the exploring party. it was
said by Arthur z. Demaray. assistant
director of the National Park Service.
and 1t Is likely, he predicted, that the
party may find something new, of "un-
usual interest"
traced out to their ends, according To Mr.
Demaray, and 1t is the intention of the
Nicholson party to plunge into portions
not yet opened.
The National Geographic Society sew
eral years ago sent a party into the
place ana made a comprehensive sur
Vey and exploration, under the leader
snip OF the late DR.. Willis T. Lee. The
feSmits Q, ms survey were published.
Inc Nicholson party is taking along
equipment to enable it to penetrate the
cave and live there while making exS
plorations. They will set up an outer
base at the mouth of the cave. where
VIII De established supplies and the
Snort-Wave radio transmitter, by which
communications will be established
with New York headquarters of the
expedition. Rubber inflatable boats,
ior use In case an underground river
FOUND, and beds to be inflated are
part OF the equipment. Perhaps the
most singular feature will be a cap,ivs
balloon, which is to be sent from Ak
ron: ONO: to be used in surveying the
ceiling OF the largest room in the
caVernS. This balloon is expected to
make the f1rst balloon ascension ever
made underground.
Telephone equipment will run from
me snort,wave station to the party at
Nicholson will wear a headset for tele-
phonlc communication with his con-
trol party, the wires of which will also
De guide to enable them to find him
ana Tor him to find his way back from
any labyrinthian maze.
Mr. Nicholson Is prepared to discover
almost anything in the untouched por-
IONS OF the cavern. He believes the
chances are 20 to l" that he will And
a subterranean river, but he will also
De on the watch for another entrance
70 the cave. Specimens of blind am
pnlolans, sightlesS salamanders and
other animals found in MANY UNDER
ground caves will also be sought. and
the party will look for valuable deposits
OF bat guano.
Boy Scout Picked Up Here.
The party of nine persons arrived
mere early yesterday morning after
oilvlng from New York, overnight. They
picked up here another member of the
party, one OF the worlds most famous
BOY Scouts, Douglas Oliver, of Atlantis
ga, who recently made the trim With
Mr. and Mrs. Martin johnson to Africa
BESIDES the leader, Nicholson, and
Inc BOY Scout picked up here, the party
consists OF Geron Lynn, geologist; Tom
LAWN OF tne New York Times, who will
ne TSscr ! the explorations for the Times.
Inc washington Star and other asso,
ciated papers; Edward j. Roberts. in
charge OF equipment; Eric Palmer. ir
[aolo operator; Ernesto Villeral and
Cnarles J. Belden, photographers: Nine
Mally Wild de Villeral, mother ~
ErneSto Villeral, and world wanderer
and writer; Capt. Mount Robb aviator
VINO VIII handle the captive balloon
Inc party left here in two auto
nonlIes and a motor truck, over the
Cs s1. road, planning to stop at
Oklahoma City, Wichita Fails ToU .S
ana Roswell, New Mexico. arriving a.
carlsbad next Monday. At Wichite
rails the party will be Joined bv pr
howard Grubbs. mineralogist ana 1r
Q. E. Bailey. physician. " ~