BYRD EXPEDITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 March 1940, Page 5

BYRD EXPEDITION

CONGRESS WITHHOLDS GRANT. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON’S ALLEGATION. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. WASHINGTON, March 5. The House Appropriations Committee refused to approve a 250.0000-dol-lar grant to the Byrd expedition. Representative Johnson alleged that Rear-Admiral Byrd was standing to make a large personal fortune through private'advertising and radio contracts. The Appropriations Committee left Rear-Admiral Byrd figuratively high and dry by also refusing 171,000 dollars for the evacuation of the expedition. Unless Congress reverses the decision or funds are raised privately, the expedition may be forced to return a year earlier. President Roosevelt, in a letter to Rear-Admiral Byrd, published with the testimony of the House sub-com-mittee, says: "The United States has never recognised foreign claims of sovereignty to Antarctic territory. Members of the expedition may act appropriately to assist United States sovereignty claims, but must not publicly announce acts without, the specific authority of the Secretary of State.” Rear-Admiral Byrd has reported the discovery of six small islands off Alexander Island. The North Star, one of the expedition's ships, has arrived at Marguerite Bay.