The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1933)

Eighteen The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER March, 19.1 3 (Continued from Page 12) windows in radiant benediction above the shrine, while the hushed prayers of the devout mingled with the vastness of the cathedral silence. Depicting the various phases in the discovery of the New World are four bronze tablets directly above the bronze crypt, and as I gazed at them my mind seemed to be suspended between phantasy and reality animating the scenes of Columbus landing and blessing the virgin shores where now stands this magnificent shrine. In the square fronting the cathedral stands the bronze statue of the intrepid explorer with arm raised in courageous gesture . . . the same gesture that kept alive in his crew the hope and faith to go onward, onward to the new world of his dreams. It is the hour of parting, and as the sexton tolls the bells I take one last look at this cathedral with all its oldworld charm and bid "Adios" to Santo Domingo . . . until we meet again. "Hasta La Vista." The phantasy of Columbus landing and blessing the spot where now stands this magnificent shrine LOST IN THE AIR But the News-Reeler Makes Happy Landing Only Ten Seconds from a Crack UpJust for the Public By REED N. HAYTHORNE International Photographer, Chicago ON the memorable day when Col. Charles A. Lindbergh was to land in Mexico City after his non-stop flight from Washington, Rudy Kileman, an airplane pilot, and myself, a newsreel cameraman, took off from Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas. Our final destination was unknown to us, but our first stop was to be the little town of Laredo, Texas, situated on the Mexican border, and there we were to receive further orders from my company. After taking off from the muddy runway we headed southwest. I had a queer feeling something might happen, so I borrowed two parachutes from Capt. Odas Moon, then of Kelly Field, and more recently known as one of the pilots of the refueling ship for the Question Mark endurance flight. I was employed by one of the large newsreel companies and it was my duty on this flight personally to pick up the film of Col. Lindberg's landing in Mexico City. The film was to be transported to the border by plane and I was to take it from there to Fort Worth. In turn it was to be relayed by still another ship to further points north and east. Neither of us thought when we took off in the pouring rain that the journey would prove so hazardous. Newsreel cameramen are optimists and fatalists, or they would not follow this occupation of danger and daring. The trip to Laredo was just an ordinary trip and uneventful outside of the motor hood coming loose, when I had to crawl slowly out and fasten it down with a piece of wire. We landed in Laredo late in the afternoon. Follow the River With night came a wire from my company telling me the film was to be transported as far as Brownsville and that I was to go there and pick it up from the pilot of the Mexican ship and that he was to land in Matamoras just across the border from Brownsville. Early the following morning we were in the air on our way to Brownsville. It was foggy and several times we found ourselves over the border on the Mexican side. We were not following a compass course, but just the course of the Rio Grande River, which was visible only at intervals through holes that appeared in the fog. We landed in Brownsville near noon. There I found my strongest competitor also with his plane. He had already crossed the border and was awaiting the arrival of the Mexican plane that was to carry the films thus far for his company. I could see at once this was going to be a race as to which one would get his film first to the home office in New York, thereby "scooping" the other in getting it on the screen first. It was a case of pitting wits, and my ship was inferior to his. Upon arriving at the landing field in Matamoras I found my competitor with a reception committee awaiting the arrival of the Mexican ship. To disrupt matters a bit my competitor advised me that his company had purchased the exclusive rights to the ship to carry the film for his company only. He added that they had put over a fast one on me in doing so. Feeling very downhearted after hearing this information I just waited to see the outcome. Twelve o'clock came and everyone was getting a little uneasy. Twelve forty-five — we all jumped as we heard the faint drone of a motor. Daily Deed At 1 o'clock sharp the Mexican ship was seen to circle the field and land. It taxied up to us and my competitor asked if I would shoot a little film of him as he received the valuable packet which contained the picture of Col. Lindberg's landing in Mexico City. This I did out of pure sportsmanship. After performing this kindly deed I sat down on the running board of a nearby automobile in a very disappointed mood. After all persons had left the field and I was sitting there thinking of the severe call-down I was to get from my company the pilot of the Mexican ship approached me and casually asked my name. I answered and you can imagine my feelings when he advised that he had a package for me.