Evening star., 1933-09-07
ROOSEVELT PLEDGES
SUPPORT TO BYRD
ON SOUTH POLE TRIP
CONTINUED From First Paee.)

new continent previously unexplored
1t Is worth while to serve IL branches
Of science.
Interested In Weather.
Il am especially interested In the ex-
haustive study of weather on the
Antarctic Continents territory in the
clutches OF the Ice Age and Q weather.
maker Tor the greater part of the South
servations viii undoubtedly be of great
importance to South America and to
the scientific knowledge Of World
weather conditions.
From . sentimental point of view ]
am delighted that you are using the
famous old Coast Guard revenue cutter
Bear, and I wish much that I could
see you and the expedition Oh when
YOU sail.
Il want you to feel that on your
expedition you have the full support
OF the United States Government and
that you can call on the Government
In case OF need or emergency.
When you re-establish the post ofIice
at Little America be sure to send me
q letter Tor my stamp collection.
Good luck to you and an OF your
associates and crews.
j., Always sincerely yours,
r. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT"
Asked why he was returning to the
dreary Antarctic regions, Byrd replied
that there was an area there still un-
explored As big as the United States and
Mexico combined.
Aid 70 Science Seen,
AS long Is there Is o surface as bic
as that on the face Of the earth" he
SAID, we ought to know about It. Also
l think We can supply some missine
links to the problems Of science In
thoroughly exploring this country that
Is IN the clutches Of the ice age"
The youthful-looking explorer will use
the Old Coast Guard cutter, Bear, which
has been the property of Oakland. Calf.
since 1t was decommisSioned, after years
IN the Arctic. He also will take the
Pacific Fir. ''>
He will have with him about 10 men
ana probably several airplanes. His old
pase at Little America will be used
again. 1t was from there in 1929 that
Byrd and his companions new over s fhs
South Pole.
Harold June, who was with him on
tnat flight. will be the chief pilot vith
Byrd as navigator and assistant niiot
We will probably do 10 times as
much flying this time as before" ex-
planned Byrd.
Ine Bear will be used to crush IL
way TO the edge of the ice at LITTLE
America. and the Pacific Fir to serye
as base ship north Of the ice mack
The addition of the Pacific Fir waa
made In the interest of economy. Byrd
said, As 1t permitted the expedition tn
carry all Of its supplies from the United
states, including an enormous quantity
OF gasoline and oil. Practically eyerv-
thing used, he disclosed, was bought or
donated In America.
The personnel Of the party to ac-
company the admiral included. he ma.
several men who were with him on one
OF more Of his previous expeditions
anc Others who are awaiting their first
glimpse OF the earths most barren
region. A'A'
The list Of men to make the trim
will not be announced until a few ds1r
before the ships SAIL.
Faul Stple Of Erie, Pa, who was
chosen by the Boy Scouts of America
to make the last journey, will 10 ~ q
biologist this time.
Face Twe-Year Exile.
IN snort survey OF his plans and
aims. Byrd said a majority Of the per-
sonnel. about 40 men, must reconcile
themselves to . two-year exile from
America. Byrd said he expected much
scientific data would be gained, Include
ing information concerning weather
conditions affecting South America and
the world at large.
It was hoped to discover . new con-
tinent, he said. In addition to the one
found before; to ascertain II the south
polar mountains were . continuation of
the Andean Range; to map hitherto
unexplored territory, and to determine
II the frozen land once was as tropical
as India. The only contact by the
party on the ice with civilization will
be through q short-waye wireless set,
on which messages will be sent out
about once q week. -.
The equipment, Byrd said. would In
clude two planes. one huge af7Air ca
pable Of carrying q large party; $50
sledge dogs, several tractors and anoW
mobiles, trucks with two rear wheel
treads and skis In front.