LOSS TO WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 201, 26 August 1935, Page 5

LOSS TO WORLD.

ROGERS AND POST. FAMOUS ACTOR AND AIRMAN. MR. STANNAGE'S TRIBUTES. Two of the world's prominent men are gone—Will Rogers and Wiley Post — regular fellows both, who in their ways have dealt out more genuine pleasure and thrills than most men (writes John Stannage, famous air radio telegraphist, in the Sydney "Sun.") To my mind Will Rogers was one of the most lovable, simple and happy souls that I have ever met. I met him first at the Los Angeles Breakfast Club, which is one of the queerest organisations in the world. Its members meet at 7.30 a.m. in their hundreds in order to make a humorous and happy start to their day's work by breakfasting together, entertaining prominent peopleand laughing uproariously. Will Rogers was a most enthusiastic member. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and I were both initiated, and after the ceremony and the meal Will Rogers asked us to visit him at the Fox studio. We did so and spent one of the most enjoyable days of our lives. "Howdy, Will." Rogers was known intimately _ to everybody in the studios, and all hailed him with "Howdy, Will." He had a cheery word for everyone and was little Shirley Temple's favourite. Although Will was worth a mint of money he dressed simply, lived simply and enjoyed all the little things of life. Will Rogers was an enthusiastic airman, and was able to fly himself. During our stay in Los Angeles our acquaintance ripened, and Will Rogers was toying with the idea of flying back to Australia with Sir Charles in a new Douglas. Had his love for his wife and children not prevented him from causing them the worry that a flight such as that must have caused them he would have been very keen to make the crossing. He told us that he had spent many happy months in Australia, and considered that Australian horses were the

finest in the world. He expressed a determination that he would later visit this country again. Wiley Post. While we were in Los Angeles Wiley Post brought his Winnie Mae to the Lockheed factory to be reconditioned, preparatory to his stratosphere experiment. We spent a lot of time with him at the factory where "Smithy's" Altair was being reconditioned, and found him a really stout fellow. Although he had a vast knowledge of every branch of aeronautics, he said less about them than any man I know. A short, thickset, worried-looking little man, he had done big things, and done them not as a stunt, but with the idea of furthering a science which had engulfed his whole life. He had a ready wit, which was not apparent. "What's the Name?" After his return from the round-the-world flight he was being given a reception by the mayor and officials of a small provincial town. From the official dais the mayor addressed the multitude assembled. "We are gathered her today, blah blah, and it is my great pleasure to welcome among us the great flyer, Mr. —(in a loud aside to Wiley Post, who sat behind him, 'What is your name?')." Wiley smiled, but pretended not to hear. The mayor repeated himself several times and eventually, in true mid-western style, asked another man who was on the stand, "What the hell is the man's name?" to the intense amusement of the crowd. Came Wiley's turn to speak. In his quiet drawl he said, "Folks, your welcome has been delightful. I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity of visiting this city—er town —of—" Then, in a loud aside to the Mayor. "What the hell is the name of this town?" And from then on had Wiley not been a famous aviator he would have been the little town's hero (concluded Mr. Stannage). The death of these two fine chaps is a sad business —so useless. At present it makes me feel the game is a futile one. Will Rogers' Humour. Having travelled extensively, and being a keen observer of human failings, Will Rogers imparted some delightful touches to the books he wrote, seven in all. He was wealthy and had a polo

field at lis ranch near Hollywood. On one occasion he demanded 15,000 dollars for a radio broadcast in order to escape it, l>ut the price was accepted. An amusing anecdote is related of his fondness for an old car. He was asked why he didn't buy a new one, and replied: "Because mine has something that most of the new cars don't have." "What's that?" he was asked. "It's paid for," replied the homespun philosopher. In 1903, Will Rogers, who had been left stranded in Sydney when the show in which he had appeared as a las&o artist went "broke," asked Mr. George Worth for a job, offering to work for his hotel expenses. He was taken on at £5 a week. Lately, as a humorous writer, he had a contract with an American news syndicate to supply a short article daily—at 12 dollars (£2 10/) a line!