The New York herald., 1921-08-26
R-2 WRECK FORCES
AIR POLICY DECISION
DENLY and Army and Navy
Officials to Consider
Question at Once.
LINES OF FIGHT FORM
To Abandon Programme
Means Loss of $4,000. 900
Already Expended.
MOFFETT FOR GOING ON
Admiral Says Work on Com
pietion Of Sister Ship, HR-1,
Should Be Rushed.
MOFFETT FOR GOING ON
Special Despatch 10 The NEW YORK ITnnArD.
New York Herald Bureau,
AuH. ID. ]

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New york Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Aug. 20.
Secretary DENLY and the highest Of
ncers of the Army and Navy were
agreed to-day that the destruction or
the ZR-2 calls for an almost lfnne-
date decision as to the future airship
policy OF the United States. The ques-
tion is whether the Government VIII
20 ahead with its lighter than air pro-
gramme. accepting such lessons as
may be taught in a technical way
from the wreck OF the ZR-2, or aoan-
don It altogether. with the loss OF
apnroxinately s14 100000 already spent
In this development.
Over this question a determined
fght is starting. it was evident to-day
IN the Navy Department. Rear Al
miral William A. Moffett, Chief OF the
Bureau Of Navigation, and his asso-
cietes made 1t plain that they VIII ap-
peal for a continuation of the airsnlp
programme. If they have their way
Congress- will be asked, as soon as the
present recess is over, to appropriate
81 100000 for the immediate comple-
ton of the ZR-1, the sister snip Oh the
ZR-2. now building at Lakehurst, y. >.
The position taken by the naval aVi
ahon group is not shared by some OIL inc
r,ore conservative officers. who have
doubted all along the military vaiue OF
airships. regarding them as highly ex-
pensive and dangerous, as well as OF
little practical use in time OF war IL
VIII be only a short time before Secre-
tary DENLY will be called upon to decide
between the contending factions.
Sought Britain's Experience.
The explanation from officers as to
the reason for the contract with the
British for the construction OF the ZR-2
was that the American Government
wished to obtain the benefit of the ex-
perence of the English designers with
this type OF aircraft. The contract was
let in 1919 when the United States de-
cided to go into lighter than air develop
mont For military reasons 1t was de-
sided that the United States Navy should
have two rigid dirisibles. one for the
Atlantic coast and one for the Pacific
coast.
While American engineers had been
pioneers in building airplanes. virtually
nothing was known about the construc-
tion OF airships, concerning which, OF
course, vastly different laws apply. The
Germans had gone in for airships before
any other nation. using the zeppellns,
but they were followed soon after the
war began by the construction Of air
ships in England. When the war ended
the British navy had not less than five
airships In operation. while the United
states had none.
Secretary Denby, when asked what Of
ficials had been responsible for the Brit
ish contract, said he had not known
precisely. but that the contract had been
entered into by the previous Admins
traton.
Urges Completion of ZR-1.
In the last naval estimates an item
was included for an additional $1,000
900 for the completion OF the ZR-1, but
this was stricken out by Congress. A
100000 was allowed for the construction
OF naval aircraft OF all types, including
heavier than air and dirigibles. with
this money Il was intended to go ahead
slowly with the work, in the hope that
the airship could be completed in two
years.
Admiral Moffett took the position to-
day that the work should be speeded up
as a result Of the accident that the loss
Of the ZR-2, deplorable as x Is. should
not cause the abandonment of a Lolicy
entered upon with full realization that
sacrifices probably would have TO be
made In the course OF experiments
Whether this position can be made to
prevail as the future naval policy Is in
question, particularly In view OF q long
standing contest between niers them
selves as to the relative value OF air
ships and airplanes.
In answering questions as to why
helium gas was not used in the ZR-2,
thus avoiding the explosions. navy Off
GERS explained that at the time the con-
tract for the airship was let the devel-
opment of hclium was not complete
The contract. consequently, was for hy-
drogen gas bags. A different sort or
bag is required for helium and 1t was
tho intention when the ZR-2 reached the
United States to refit her for this gas.
b Just what financial loss Will result
for tho United States Government Is
not exactly clear, due TO the indispos-
ton OF navy officers to discuss the
question in advance OF legal opinion.
The contract with the British Govern
ment called for the payment OF $1,000 900,
OF which about 70 per cent. was nd
vanced from time to time, rs is the
custom during the building. Under the
agreement It was provided that In the
event OF a. partial or total loss OF the
eirship the United States would pay
half and the British Government half.
This would mean a cost to the United
states OF si,o00oo0 for the airship alone.
but between s0oo.000 and q, 900 900 addi-
tional has been paid out for incidental
expenses, not including the 5000 600
hangar at Lakehurst
IL may be, officers OF the navy be-
lIeved. that the loss Will be fully COW
cred by Insurance, since tho airship had
not been turned over 10 the American
Government officially. The insura nee
feature developed when Il was recalled
that not long ago cablegram arrived
from Lloyd's In England asking tho
United States II insurance on the zR-2
was desired after the airship had been
turned over. II has been the policy OF
the United States Government not to
carry Insurance on its property
1t was said to-day that total OF not
less than $4,000. 900 has been spent up
70 date by the Government In lighter