Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-15
TOXIC COURT FINES
u. S. FLYERS S1,O25
Seattle Hop in Doubt, but
Herndon and Pangborn
Still Push Plans.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
TOXIC, August 15.-Climaxing q
series Of mishapS which have beset
them since they started a projected
globe girdling flight in New York, Clyde
Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, jr,
American aviatorS, were fined by the
district court here today for violation
OF the strict aviation laws of Japan.
Each fine was 1850 yen Isl ,025)
One thousand dollars Of each fine was
for violating civil aviation laws and
$25 for flying over Japanese fortified
areas recently when they came here
from Khabarovsk, Siberia, to attempt
tTanspacific flight after they ended
their world hop attempt in the Siberian
village far behind the time Of Harold
Gatty and Wiley Post, whom they
hoped to succeed as the fastest naviga-
tors around the world.
Although Herndon and PangboTn
few to Japan without a permit, govern
ment officials were inclined to disre-
gard thus until they discovered motion
picture camera in the plane. The flyers
admitted taking some pictures, but
denied they had photographed fortifica-
tons. Japanese patriotic societies
urged they be punished and a lengthy
investigation preceded the assessment
Of the fine.
Flyers TO Pay Fines.
The Judge decreed that the Aneri-
can flyers would be subject to impris-
onment If they failed to pay their fines.
He stipulated that they would be al
lowed a reasonable time" TO make
tie payments.
II jail became the alternative, the
flyers would be required to serve at
the rate of 10 yen day.
Pangborn and Herndon said, how
ever, they would pay the fines as soon
as they could cable the United States.
Vernscular newspapers quoted avis
ton bureau oficials as asserting that
Pangborn and Herndon would be pro-
hibited from flying in Japan again.
If enforced, this would mean abandon
ment Of their planned flight 70 Seattle.
Rengo News Agency, however, said
officials Of the communication, foreign
and home ofices would confer later to
decide this point.
The news agency further said the
American flyers plane would not be
confiscated in view of testimony of
Herndon his mother and sister held
an interest in the machine.
Both flyers we're in court as the
decision was 1dnueQ oONns
The flyers abandoned their round
the world flight in favor of nonstop
flight from Japan TO Seattle, Wash. at
the invitation of o Japanese newspaper.
Stunned by Penalty.
The flyers were stunned by the size
of the fine and received an additional
surprise when informed their cirema
camera and six reels Of film had beer
conflScated.
AS their plane was not seized they
decided TO 20 ahead with plans for
nonstop fight 10 Seattle despite news
paper reports officials would not permit
them to make any more flights over
japanese territory.
American embassy officials ted the
aviators they would make representa-
lions TO Japanese authorities in the
hope permit might be Forthcoming
for an ocean flight.
The whole thing in a nutshell, 9"
said Pangborn, is that we came TO
Japan under q misrepresentation. thirk-
ing an emergency permit was in order
We we're victims Of circumstances and
now We find ourselves in dickens Of
FIX
HerndOn Makes Statement.
THE question agitating us now is,
WtReb 40 VIC ny OF QOn We ny F--bttaL
is, do we get a permit TO use the plane
again in starting across the Pacifc?"
Herndon said
We assured the court that the fines
would be paid in few days. The
Judge instructed US not TO leave the
city without permit We Immediately
applied for permission to 60 to Kama
kura 70 spend Sunday and the permits
sion was granted
We naturally are rather upset at the
penalty imposed. but throughout the
quiz the officials have been considerate
and courteous The heavy fine, OF
course, was a heavy blow 10 us and also
to our friends, many newly made jap
anese friends expressing sympathy in
oux predfcament"
The chief of the supervision section
Of the aviation Law intimated q permit
for Pacific flight would not be
Granted