Page:20 Hrs 40 Min (Earhart).pdf/104

 we had come down orange could have been seen further than any other color.

The plane just then was being equipped, presumably for its use on Byrd's forthcoming Antarctic trip. Stultz and Gordon were supposed,to be in Byrd's employ, and Commander Robert,Elmer, U.S.N. retired, was directing technical activities.

Our purpose was to keep the plans secret. Once the world knew, we should be submerged in a deluge of curiosity making it impossible to continue the preparations in orderly fashion. Then, too, it would do no good to aviation to invite discussion of a project which some accident might delay. Actually the pontoon equipment on this type of plane was experimental, and no one definitely could tell in advance whether or not it would prove practicable. Another objection was the possibility of instigating a "race," which no one wanted. Mrs. Guest proposed that the Friendship, as she afterwards named the