The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-03-22

American and Canadian governments and many of lheir most skilled aviators and trained in the weather and signal corps services. Numerous anna eur radio operators and private citizens volunteered heir aid on many occasion.
 Since the beginning of the ill-fated Leyanevsky flight the Russians have expended millions of dollars n connection with the enterprise and the subsequent earch The huge plane. of the best equipped and most costly and it's equipment together with several search planes which were damaged put cut of com mission represent material losses that mount into nigh figures Aside from the material losses the lives of the men who went to their doom.
 The numerous planes. ice breakers and other craft engaged under direction of the Russians and chiefly at their expense together with the small army of hey detailed to the work testify to the horoughneSs with which they went about the business Forbidding Arctic conditions in mid winter did not deter them
 The daring way in which their expeditions penetrated he polar regions and laced portion of the vast area over such long period presented spectacle unparalleled in dramatic action
 While the drama enacted in one of the coldest and most inhospable portions of the earth the search was carried on with undaunted zeal That 1t was without avail cannot be said. The knowledge gained of conditions especially to their bearing on aviation, is inestimable This knowledge doubtless will be employed in the future to great advantage.
 Fairbanks as the projected terminal of the ill., fated polar flight and the American base Of the search has been particularly interested The statloning here the Russian staff of executives and technical men, and direction of many the search planes from this point brought Fairbanks into particular prominence and accentuated the importance of the place in con- uecton with northern aviation routes.
 It will be no surprise if eventually the Russians establish a scheduled international aviation route via Fairbanks In fact it has been understood that Russia has contemplated such service to link Rus sia with the United States and other countries of this continent.
 Such a route logically would via Fairbanks and make this the northernmoSt terminal the American continent. calling for a major field fit to hangars, machine shops and the like, that would mean the expenditure of millions In casting estimates for the future. Fairbanks and all Alaskans and Ameri- concerned in these great progressive movements should keep these facts in mind
 The Russians who have been in Fairbanks in con- nection with the great search have proved efficient their work and tireless They have formed many friendships in Fairbanks and among others whom they contacted, and in departing carry with them the esteem and good will of this community and a wide circle of Aaskans.
 Although the losses to the Russians have been tremendous the fruits that will grow of the great adventure may be among the prized to the countries concerned.
 The of those lost in the polar flight will be cherished here and elsewhere long history of epic events holds it's spell over men.
 Fairbanks will not forget that the Russians have done all and than expected of them in spar ing effort to locate the who lost their lives in of the greatest of pioneering undertakings