The Bismarck tribune., 1933-01-18
JUDGE DESCRIBES
VISIT TO ICELAND
NLUNCHEON talk
G. Crimson, Rugby, Is Principal
Speaker Before Rotary
Club Here

Highlights Of his recent visit to
Iceland and Denmark were describ-
ed by District Judge G. Crimson
Rugby, In a talk before the Bismarck
Kiwanis club Wednesday.
Judge Crimson was one. Of several
Judges and lawyers here for q meet
ing Of the state judicial council.
Other members Of the council at the
luncheon were District Judges Daniel
B. Holt, Fargo: w. j. Kneeshaw,
Pembina: George H. Moellring, Will
liston: Frank r. Lembke, Hettinger;
and w. H. Hutchinson. La Moure,
and Prof. o. H. Thormodsgard. act
ing dean of the School of Law at the
University Of North Dakota.
Judge Crimson went to Iceland
and Denmark last January to secure
franchise for a northern air route
from New York City across Green
land. owned by Denmark. thence to
Iceland and eventually Copenhagen
ana other European cities.
He succeeded In getting an outright
franchise from Iceland but secured
only temporary permit to start pre-
liminary operations for establishment
OF the route across Greenland. Dem
mark hesitated on the proposal
Judge Crimson said, because It could
see no benefit to Its own people from
the enterprise. Iceland, he said, saw
that the proposed route would lessen
the isolation Of that country through
direct connection with the U. s,
The Iceland franchise was permitted
BY passage Of . law.
Roomed With Stefanssou
The Rugby jurist said he was Sc
lected for the negotiations by Pam
american Always because OF his
friendship with vilhjalmur Stefans-
son, the explorer. who was his ROOM
mate when the two attended the
University Of North Dakota. Stefans-
son was the first to advocate a
northern route to Europe and Carl
Ben Eielson, who met death while
flying in the north, was one OF his
disciples. the speaker said.
Judge Crimson left Jan. Is, 1892.
ior Liverpool, England, from where
he continued through Scotland and
sailed to Iceland.
lceland'S climate and geography
surprised him, he said. During the
SIX weeks he spent there. he said
only one snowstorm occurred and
only few times during his stay
were persons permitted to skate be-
cause the ice was 50 thin. due to the
mild climate. A gulf stream from
Iceland to Norway makes Icelsndic
winters mild. he said.
Iceland has no trees and the in.
terior Is practically covered with q
layer Of volcanic lava. The interior
does not have many pastures and
they are small. The bare mountain
Sides present beautiful colors because
OF the reflections from lava crystals
The country has countless natural hot
springs, however, which are used for
heating business buildings, homes
vegetable and fruit hot houses, and
furnish power for factories. Iceland
IS developing a great auto truck sys-
tenn since the country has no rail-
roads.
Practically the only crop raised is
barley and the farmers are becoming
up to-date in the dairy business.
Fishing Is one Of the leading indus
tries. the country sending great guam
titles Of salted fish to Spain and
Italy. Sheep farmers send their
herds to the mountains for entire
summers tor free grazing.
Six weeks was required for the
passage Of the franchise bill in Ice
land. Steffansson, Knute Rasmussen
and Sir Hubert wilkins were in
strumental In getting Denmark to
bend enough to permit preliminary
work in Greenland, Judge Crimson
said.
Work Is Progressing
Work Is progressing In Greenland
at present, the speaker said. Because
CT the various climates on the large
expanse Of land, two crews Of experts
are making observations daily at var
ious points on the proposed route In
an efofrt to find the best possible line
of flight.
Judge Crimson noted q CROWNS
tendency in European countries to
promote consumption Of home-pro.
duced commodities. England, par
ttcularly. had many stores bearing