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AVARICE AMONG THE AVOCADOS 99 In a lead editorial that year, Hearst's L.A. Examiner praised DeMille "for Ms enterprise in bringing to this city a fleet of all-metal aeroplanes/ 7 It urged Los Angeles to take note of this new industry and "quickly prepare to get into the game/' When DeMille began flying for pleasure, his nonflying asso- ciates, Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky, came frequently out to the grounds. Glumly they stood side by side, their heads tracing a slow circle as they watched the course of the frail plane. Lasky and Zukor reflected on what would happen to their picture investment should one of the wings snap off. "One hundred thousand dollars flying around up there with- out a parachute/' moaned Lasky. Jouncing to a stop, DeMille tried to taunt his partners into taking a ride but received only horrified looks. The studio was greatly relieved when the aviation company, feeling growing competition at a time when it was getting less and less of DeMille's attention, gave up to its creditors holding claims totaling $300,000. 4. THE studio couldn't have picked a worse time to badger DeMille over costs. The producer was working his own miracles in directing, mothering and policing the biggest loca- tion in the industry's experience. Riding personal herd on his many charges, DeMille had troubles enough without the studio sniping from the rear. DeMille's willingness to pay a fortune for the picture sharply overhauled executive attitudes, and the entire venture took on a much rosier hue. For everyone, that is, except DeMille, With every Biblical picture, he faced unusual risks. Not the least was scandal. One breath would cripple his venture at the