Evening star., 1948-04-16
Rome SaysExpedition
Accomplished More
Than lis First Goal
By Paul K. Hosus
North American Newspaper Alliance


NEW YORK, April 1s.-After a
year in the frozen reaches near the
South Pole, 10 men and one woman |
Of the Rome Antarctic Research
Expedition landed In New York |
yesterday.
Led by Comdr. Finn Rome, q. 8. |
n. R., Of Washington, the hardy
group has been away from American
shores for q total Of Is months. In
all they have travelled 10000 miles.
The expedition Is the first to map
the remote western stretches of the
Weddell Sea coast and prove that
the huge Polar region Is one con-
tinent.
In their exploration, they took
14,000 aerial photographs and char
ted an area OF 100000 square miles,
half Of which had been a blank on
the worlds map. On a joint sledging
party with the British Falkland
Islands Dependencies Survey, two
Rome Expedition members explored
the trackless snow deserts of Palmer
Peninsula on 105-day. 1,800-mile
journey.
Rome Is Pleased.
Standing on the weathered deck
OF his craft, the Port Of Beaumont.
Tex, Comdr. Rome called his ex-
pedition Q complete success. You
might say" he declared. that We
did even more than we set out to do.
I'VE accomplished all our aims in
studies of meteorology, geology,
terrestrial magnetism. tidal flows and
seismography. But" he added with
a smile, there is lots more explora-
ton to be done in the Antarctic"
Next to the commander stood
Mrs. Edith Rome, the first woman
to endure the long winter night of
the frigid region. Another woman,
Mrs. Harry Darlington, who shared
this experience left the expedition
with her husband at Punta Arenens,
Chile. The Darlingtons are return
ing independently after visiting
friends in Buenos Aires.
Mrs. Rome, slim and attractive,
wore a light brown suit and white
jabot blouse. She said, There's no
reason why q woman can't 60 to
Ar1tarctica. It's healthful place
and has lovely scenery. I think 1t
would be ideal for a summer visit.
But" she shrugged. "a years
stay presents problems"
Glad to Be Back.
Mr.. Rome Is looking forward to
"just being back. want to see my
friends and be with people. First on
my list, however, Is an institution
called the American bathtub
with plenty of hot water"
Other expedition members have
similar inclinations. Boy Scout
Arthur Owen, the youngest in the
group, said he will return to his
home in Texas and then hopes to
study meteorology at the Colorado
School Of Mines.
Capt. James Lassiter, Air Force
pilot, said he will probably 90 to
Kelly. Field for reassignment.
Walter Smith, navigator, said he
will look for job. BE sure and |
put that In" he declared. 1--WE |
didn't get any pay and I'm unem-
ployed now"
H. c, Peterson, physicist, is just
going to have "a whopping good
time" 1t was Mr. Peterson who
plnged 10 feet down a crevasse in
the ice and was pinned head down
from - hours before he was rescued.
Now recovered from his injuries,
Mr.. Peterson is healthier than when
left" as are all expedition men,
bers. All gained weight except Mrs
Rome who lost 20 pounds because
she tired Of the diet" The group
had steak every day and, according
to Mr.. Peterson, I'VE Jared better
than people here. 1t was real Army
chow and all we could eat"
Comdr. Rome said he expects to
be occupied for some time in cor
relating his voluminous records.
Besides scientific studies, the ex-
pedition also tested equipment for
the Air Forces and the Navy, The
commander admitted that he
hunted for mineral deposits but
said he found none. We used 'in-
struments" he declared, but there
was sign Of uranium ore.
"As for another expedition, GER
tainly; but so far I have made no
definite plans"
The group was welcomed by Com
missioner G. Joseph Minetti, repre-
senting Mayor William ODwyer,
and by veteran explorers Lincoln
Ellsworth and Sir Hubert Wilkins.