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survey of the present state of the art is as a means by which both the North Pole and the South Pole may be attained and the great expanses of unknown territory surrounding them be brought within man's knowledge. With this, of course, I am in full accord. Navigation of the air, according to the warrant of the present, offers little of the practically useful for the near future, but it is well worth striving for on its own account. Achieve it, if possible, and let its utility be found after we have it. Attainment of the geographical poles may offer no utilitarian temptation; but the true knowledge-thirst which burns on the bosom of our race does not stop to inquire if any given research or conquest may be commercialized. It seeks the knowledge of all things for the sake of knowledge alone. And the closer a generation or nation comes to this ideal, the higher it rises, the better it works out its destiny.

It has seemed to me that if we can make actual use of aerial navigation in the work of geographical research and the extension of knowledge simply for the sake of knowledge, that will be an achievement doubly worth while, because it combines and realizes two of the most noble aspirations of mankind

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[[caption]] THE FRAMEWORK OF THE AIRSHIP HOUSE--THIS STRUCTURE IS 85 FEET HIGH, 85 FEET WIDE, 215 FEEET LONG. BEFORE WORK COULD START HUNDREDS OF TONS OF SNOW HAD TO BE REMOVED. [[/caption]]

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