Evening star., 1932-07-16

In spite of the crash In Central
Europe which ended their hopes OF
breaking the rcund-the- world flight
record of Post and Gatty, James Mat
tern and Bennett Griffin are credited
with achievements in speed and flying
efficiency. Their performance in estao-
fishing two new records-the fastest
transatlantic crossing and the first non
stop flight from the United States to
Berlin-are recognized as definite con-
tributions to the progress Ct aviation.
so far as records go. they have two
to their credit-the best time for
transatlantic crossing and the honor OF
being first in linking this continent
straight with Berlin says the Baltimore
Sun. predicting that they will try again
for the bigger undertaking and remark
ing that "nc body but record-seeklng
aviators will ever choose to travel IN
such style, anyway; and for most OF us
there is no comfort or even meaning
IN demonstrations that the earth is only
a week in circumference. The Chicago
Daily News feels that the two latest
challengers Ct fate are alive and We'll
with honors enough to console them,
and that such flights have distinct
value" for experienced men gam
knowledge that may be OF service TO
Others" The Daily News concludes:
Reduction of travel time is important
fer world that becomes Increasingly
interdependent. In so far as success Is
attained, confidence in aviation Is
strengthened. Even accidents play a
useful part by disclosing mechanical
weaknesses that can be eliminated in
later airplane mOCelS.
They have a new Atlantic record
for their consolation" advises the
Rochester Times Union. with the COM
ment that lit takes courage and de-
termination and great physical en-
durance to make the attempt, and these
are qualities which cannot too often be
demonstrated as an example to the
race" The Times Union suggests that
probably in a few years some one WILL
be offering a cup for the annual round
the-world race" The Birmingham Age
Herald states: In flying from Harbor
Grace to Berlin without stop they had
accomplished what others have tried
and missed. 1t is from such failures as
these men made that great trlumphs
are wrought" The Hartford Times
voices the opinion, THE airplane still
catches popular fancy when sent into
extraordinary trials. 1t can DO Wonders,
but everything must be right. II Is
another thing which is as strong as It's
weakest link"
Americans" proclaims the Rock
Island Argus, "are surely taxing AVA
tion honors in quick succession and the
press is chronicling these important
events one after the other AS the MIS-
tory of aviation is permanently en-
shrined in book form the United States
will figure very prominently in that
volume. as her sons and daughters have
greatly distinguished themselves IN the
air"
1.-THE frontier at which Alexander
went because there were no more worlds
To conquer should be due soon, for
there is no distance left" declares the
San Francisco Chronicle. Everything
is speeded ur, except politics and polit-
ical thought We still run the Govern
ment at Washington on the horseback
schedule of George Washington's time.
We still. nearly all Of us, do our think
ing as if the world were organized as
it was in Grover Cleveland's time.
Everything else, physical and mental,
has become contemporaneous. How
soon politics."
The unerring accuracy with which
these two airmen spanned the tricky
Atlantic. In spite of rain and fog" says
the Miami Daily News, "testifies not
only to the ability of the pilots. but as
we'll to the improvement of planes and
blind flying instruments used to navi-
gate them when bad weather inter-
feres." OF the task, the Rockford Reg
ister- Republic declares: 1T means a
terrific, unrelenting concentration on
the task in hand, clear, keen eyes and
judgment; unwavering self-confidence.