The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-07-22

CHICAGO. July p Federal, state
and city officials today began
searching investigation OF the ex-
plosion Of the Goodyear Tire 4 Rub
Der company's dirigiblc balloon which
yesterday resulted in eleven deaths
and the injury Of twenty eight others
and wrecked the interior Of the Hi
nois Trust & Savings bank
Charges that several devices used
on the gian, blimp we're practically
un,ricd will he made the subject OF
rigid inquiry by officials
One of these devices was rotary
motor which was loaned for the pur-
p,se by Major Clarence Maranvillc,
clief Of the army aircraft division at
the Akron, Ohio, flying field.
Another device said TO have been
used for the first time on blimp was
a number OF silk balloonettes attached
to the main body and Major Maran-
vile Avs that the friction OF these
hallooneites against the silk sides OF
the structure may have been respon-
sible for the act
Goodyear Officials May Be Held.
United States Attorney Clyne de
clared il was probable that several OIL
= ficials of the Chicago Office OF the
GOODYEAR Tire & Rubber company
would be taken into custody before
the end of the day,
United States District Attorney
Charles +. Clyne also assigned an
assistant United States attorney to at
tend the coroner's inquest, set for to-
day.
Seventeen employees OF the Goodyear
Tire & Rubber company OF Akron,
Ohio owners OF the airship. have been
detained, pending a decision as to
whether charges Of criminal careless
ness shall be filed against them.
Among those detained are Jack
Poettner. pilot of the dirigible, who
escaped by jumping, with a parachute
and w. {. Young, in charge Of the
aeronau,ic department, OF the Good
year company.
Five Women Killed.
OF the eleven dead, nine we're en-
ployes Of the bank and wo were
passengers in the airship. Five persons
were in the airship at the time OF the
accident and three escaped. When the
balloon crashed through the skylight
OF the bank, at S o'clock, more than
zoo employees, mostly girls, were at
work.
The balloon, with its five passengers,
was making its maiden trip above the
ei,y in the interest of an amusement
park. According to witnesses, 4 squirt
Of flame appeared at the stern. above
the engine. In moment there was a
puff of smoke, and the flames at
tackled the big egg shaped gas bag. Al
most simultaneously four parachute'
ieaped from the airship. Three go,
clear OF the burning airship, but the
fourth was caught in the falling ship
and burned It's passenger Carl Weaver
OF Akron, Ohio. plungins to death
Earl Davenport, publicity man for the
amusement park, and one-time sport
writer, did not Jump from the ma
chine. His body was hurled through
he bank roof and burned 20 a crisp
Mechanician's Back Broken.
Harry Wacker. Akron. chief mech.
anician Of the dirigible, was one OF
those who came down alive. Hi, back
was broken, however, and he is moi
expected to live
Milton G. Norton, 4 photographed
employed on morning newspaper
also landed, bu, in doing so his leg
were broken and his condition is crit
ical
J. A. Boet,ner, civilian pilot, wa
Ne only member Of the Inflated air
,hip 10 land without injury.
Five Of the nine killed in the banl
we're women employees, three vert
\men. and one a boy. There were bu'
Two exits In the iron cage In the cen
' e, Of the bank and as the wreckag'
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