Snow Cruiser Goes Through Calumet Area But Few Folks See It in Early Morning; Stops on Ridge Road

Several late revelers are reported to have "taken the pledge" following a glimpse at Admiral Byrd's snow cruiser which lumbered through early-morning mists today in the Calumet region on the first leg of its journey to Boston, Mass. The mammoth cruiser resembled some prehistoric monster as its grey hulk slid through the murk before dawn when it rolled out of Soldier's Field in Chicago. The cruiser travelled along Torrence avenue to Route 6 and along the latter highway in Hammond to Ridge road. Goes All Way to Gary The machine performed faultlessly on early stages of the trip, halting only at Ridge road and Grant street south of Gary while adjustments were made. In spite of its size, the snow cruiser handles like a "kiddy- kar," according to Dr. Thomas C. Poulter, designer of the craft and second in command on the coming antarctic expedition. Dr. Poulter gave a demonstration last night in which the machine turned completely around in its own length. Two sets of 10-foot wheels are the answers to flexibility of the craft. The two sets operate independently of each other and either set may be used for steering or traction. The wheels are retractible, allowing the body to be raised and lowered by the manipulation of pedals in the operator's compartment. The trip to Boston is expected to enable its builders to complete a study of the machine. Originally, it was planned to stage a two-day test in the sand dunes east of Gary, but the tests were abandoned when production delays were encountered in the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing company in Chicago where the machine was constructed. Leaves Boston Nov. 7 Dr. Poulter estimated that the cruiser will arrive in Boston before Tuesday. A final checkup will be made there and the craft loaded on the expedition ship that is scheduled to sail for Little America at the South pole Nov. 7. A complete laboratory provides scientific instruments for research at the South pole and the cruiser is expected to provide adequate living quarters for the explorers. It has a 5,000 mile cruising range and can transport fuel and food for a crew of four for one year. A brace will be placed on top of the cruiser for work afield and emergency duty. The research foundation of the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago was in charge of the designing and construction of the machine. Basis for the design was drawn from past experiences in antarctic exploration trips in which dog sleds, permanent camp and airplane research were proved to be inadequate.