Transport: Zavtra

Last month big, sandy-haired James Mattern took off for Alaska with a Soviet Government contract in his pocket guaranteeing to pay for property lost while searching the Arctic for Commander Sigismund Levanevsky and his five companions, missing since their last faint wireless message flashed out August 13 as they were descending with one dead motor somewhere near the 48th meridian. No charge did Flyer Mattern make for his personal services because the same commander and the same crew rescued him from the Siberian Arctic four years ago.

From Oakland, Calif, he zipped to Fairbanks, Alaska in less than 14 hours. Following his $100,000 high-speed Lockheed was an old tri-motor Ford from which he planned to refuel in midair, thus tripling his range and obviating many landings in Alaskan mud, on ice hummocks or through fog, all deadly Arctic dangers. For 17 days, parka clad and living on seal meat and 18-month old eggs, Jimmie Mattern scoured the seacoast, the area flanking the 48th meridian and Alaska's mountainous interior. Because his refueling plane crashed just before reaching its destination he had to make the hazardous take-offs and landings he dreaded. Of the lost Russians not a trace was found.

Last week, after a record trip from Alaska (via Los Angeles; time 21½ hours) Mattern's plane roared into Washington, D. C. Next day, with his report and dozens of photographs—including one of his Ford refueler flat on its back three miles from Fairbanks—he stepped briskly up the steps of the Soviet Embassy to discourage further search, to ask for $25,000 compensation for his wrecked ship. The Embassy differed widely with Mattern on his methods of search, Arctic conditions and the value of his damaged plane, expressed sharp displeasure at his failure to find the Red flyers. To his request for reimbursement under the contract the reply was in effect, Zavtra (tomorrow). When the Soviet authorities have satisfied themselves that James Mattern: 1) did crash his Ford plane in Alaska, and 2) that it was in connection with his search for their lost fliers, compensation will be considered.