New-York tribune., 1919-07-07
Maitland Predicts
2OO-TOn Carriers
Closer Link Belweer y. S.
and Britain Declared
One PurpOse OF FLIGHT

n !A1i iON OEFO1, GAROEN CIIY,
n. Y, July 6.-General Edward M
Air Ministry, and Captain G. H. Scott,
commander of the R-34, speaking at
luncheon to-day given in honor Of the
airship's crew at the Garden City
Hotel by American army and navy
aviation officers, declared the principal
object of the flight was solidihcation
of the already close bonds of friend
ship between the United States and
Great Britain and demonstration of
the comm ercial possibilities of lighter
than-air craft.
General Maitland predicted that
within few years dirigibles five
times as big as the R-34, with lifting
capacity of 200 tons, would not only
cross the Atlantic, but would unite
countries separated by the Pacific
Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
Americans Indorse View
American officers joined the British
in painting q glorious picture of the
dirigibles' future: Major General
Charles Menoher, director of Anne rican
army aviation, said that the airships
of the not far distant future would be
big enough to transport a battalion of
men fully armed and equipped, while
Lieutenant Commander Albert c.. Read.
who achieved the distinction of being
the first pilot to cross the ocean in air,
declared future commercial aviation
lies in lighter thanair craft, which are
in every way more practical than heav-
ier-than-air machines in transporting
heavy loads. Maitland, Scott and Read
were all loudly cheered when called
upon to make brief addresses.
In his address General Maitland said:
II want to express my sincerest
thanks for the very kind words spoken
in behalf of Major Scott, other Off
GERS Of the R-34 and myself.
81 don't propose to tell much about
our trip. Major Scott is here to do
that, but I'd like to mention two ex-
periences. First, we went out to fly
the Atlantic and hardly ever saw the
one time we wondered whether we'd
ever see it again.
Il was surprised at the comparative
absence Of motion on the trip. I am
a poor sailor and easily susceptible to
seasickness, but it didn't bother me a
bit. [ honestly believe that dirigible
airships will be sought for in the fu-
ture by those who suffer from seasick-
ness in crossing the ocean on our
| transatlantic steamers.
'The Air Ministry had a definite OBJ
to fly from east to west and back again
to demonstrate what airships could do
in the way of ultimately establishing
commercial traffic between countries,
not only England and America, but all
the countries of the New World now
separted by vast expanses Of water.
81 venture to predict that before
many years have passed we will have
regular airship service across the At
lantic. The ships of the future will
not be like the R-34, which, although a
fine ship, is not big enough for trans
atlantic commercial traffic.
100 Knot Speed Predicted
owe had some anxious times coming
over, owing to ou- shortage of petrol,
but if we had a ship five times as big
and little speedier we would have
had no such trouble. Such ships are
coming. and with that kind we will
have 200 tons carrying capacity, includ-
ing passengers, mail and fuel. l be-
lieve that they will be built to attain
a speed Of 100 miles an hour.
sit is a pleasure to see Commander
Read again. He joined up two coun-
tries from west to east, and I am proud
to think that we joined up two from
east to west.
at was a particular pleasure to me
downe accompany us on this flight. He
has been associated with us for some
time. We had him with US during
some troublesome times when we were
fighting the Hun, and we have learned
to know and like him very we'll. He
was of great assistance to US on this
trip.
81 am glad that we will have the
pleasure of taking back one of your
army officers-Colonel William N
Hensley, jr.-on our return trip.
81 want to repeat that I deeply ap-
preciate the admirable arrangements
We o owe Z II the United States States navy nav and and
the United States army great debt of
gratitude for the way in which they
handled the ship.
81 might add that another object OF
the Air Ministry in making this flight
y