POLAR BASE PROPOSED

Chronicle (Levin), 14 February 1947, Page 5

POLAR BASE PROPOSED

NEW YOKK, Feb. 12. United States should establish at ieast eigJU permaneui bases 111 ine Aiil arctic ior scientilic exporimenL.s, including the study of methods of cou quering the polar elements and weather oosorvations for Jong range forecasts, said R-ear Admiral Byrd in a report from Little America. He added othat t one base should be established right at the.South Pole where the ternperatures would dip 1(JU degrees below zero Fahrenheit. " We could bury ourselves in shelters ! under the snow and it would pay olf in nieteorological, geological and geodetic observations, Admiral Byrd said. The Antarctic could be a great refrigerator in which the world could store j bumper crops against lean years. Food stuii's he took to the Antarctic 14 years ago were reeeutly found perfectly pre served in snow tunnels. Admiral Byrd anuounced that he 111 I temled to nanie the area where he is I now eneamped "Little America IV,'' says -a message from Little America. Previous bases had been numbered Little America 1, II, and III. "The peace of this place is what tm presses me," said Admiral Byrd. "'1 feel more peaceful dovvn herc tlian anv where else in the world." He said his men probablv did not realise that they were liviug right on top of the ice ag-e. " Ice has eapped this entire continent, which onee tvas alive with life, " he said.