Evening star., 1921-12-21
BUFFETED BY GALE,
ROMA REACHES DC.
Presented to U. S. by Am
bassador Ricci After Diff
cult Landing Is Made.

After bucking strong northwest
gales, the Roma arrived at Boiling
Field from Langley Field, Va, today
shortly before noon, with two of her
six engines silent. The airship was
officially dedicated to the service of
the United States with ceremonies in
which high officials of the American
and Italian governments participated.
The big semi-rigid dirigible showed
her nose over the hangers at Boiling
Field at 1850 o'clock, almost three
hours after schedule time. Difficulty
was experienced in mooring the ship
on account of the high wind sweeping
the landing field.
AS soon as a landing was accom-
plished Maj. Gen. NJ. NJ. Patrick, chief
of the air service. presented Ambas-
sador Ricci of Italy 10 gathering of
invited guests in the center of the
field. near the moor.ng spot. The am
bassador made an address formally
presenting the-ship to the service of
the United States. Secretary of War
Weeks made the reply, in behalf of
this country. characterizing the dir
igible as material evidence OF the
friendship existing between this coun-
try and Italy"
Dedicated With Liquid Air.
Immediately after the addresses
which were interrupted twice by the
shifting of the dirigible into the group
of speakers and guests, Miss Fonrose
Wainwright, daughter of Assistant
Secretary of War Wainwright, mount.
ed a small ladder at the bow ant
broke a bottle of liquid air on the
bottom of the gas bag, saying:
Il hereby dedicate this airship tc
the service of the United States"
More than one hundred distih.
guished visitors had waited from
o'clock until noon for the Roma to
arrive. When she finally showed ul
she was somewhat to the east of her
course. and headed toward the field
from that direction.
A trip over the city had been sched.
uled for the official party. but it was
abandoned on account of the condi-
tion of the air and contrary winds
Secretary of the Navy DENLY ar.
of members of the House military af.
fairs committee also were present a,
the scheduled time.
battle rag Pre0eAted.
After the christening, Lieut.. Gen
Giuseppe Vaccari, chief of staff of the
Italian army. presented a battle flae
for the ship, in the name of the Sec.
retary of War of Italy. NJ Gaspa.
rotto.
After the ceremonies the officia
party was conducted on an inspection
tour by Gen. Patrick. Maj. Scanlon
chief of Boiling Field. and Lieut.
Whitney. adjutant of the station.
In the party were Secretary of Wal
Weeks, Secretary of the Navy DENLY
Representative julius Kahn, chair.
| man of the House military affair!
committee; Assistant Secretary O.
| War J. Mayhem Wainwright: Richard
Southgate, formerly secretary of tn,
American embassy at Rome: Lieut.
Moizo, Lieut.. Col. A. Guidoni, mem
bers Of the Italian military staff, at
tending the conference on Limitation
of armament; Representatives w
Frank James, Harry E. Hull, John F
Miller. Harry F. Wurzbach, Fred c
of the House military affairs com
( mittee; Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord
acting chief of staff of the Army
Brig. Gen. Harry H. Bandholtz, com
manding the district of Washington
| Lieut.. Col. c. Def. Chandler, Lieut.
| Col. Frank P. Lahm, Benedict Crowel
and S. o. Fahnestock.
| MAI. ThOrne1l in Charge.
The crew of the Roma were con
graduated by Secretary of Wa
Weeks on the completion of the diff
cult flight Immediately after they de
scended from the cockpit of the ship
| The officers of the dirigible were Maj
John G. Thornell. Capt Dale Mabry
! Capt. Walter ]. Reed. Lieut.. Byron 7
Burt. Lieut.. James c. Gluck and Lieut.
Ernest S. Moon.
! It was believed at an early hour thi
| afternoon that start for the hom
field of the ship at Hampton roads
Va, would be made rs soon as tn
| officers and crew had lunched an,
made preparations for the fight. o,
the return trip it was not expecte,
that any trouble would be encounter
| ed since the wind, which had OBJ
! structed a speedy flight on her jour
| ney here, would be at the heels of tn
| ship instead Of at the nose.
The trip today was the first extend
| ed flight of the Roma since she wa
| reassembled at Langley Field. Va
after her shipment from Italy.