The New York herald., 1921-02-17
BALLOON FLIGHT
NOT FIRST OVER
CANADA BORDER
KlOor Testifies No Orders
Prohibited Trip Into Do
minion Territory.
INQUIRY is RESUMED
Official Dissatisfaction Over
Results of Previous
investigation.
FARRELL HAS COUNSEL
Personal Conduct Of Members
of Party Subject of Ques-
tioning.
FARRELL HAS COUNSEL

Official dissatisfaction with the re-
suits of the investigation into the
flight of the runaway naval balloon
and the adventures of the three Rock
away Naval Air Station officers. who
were rescued In the James Bay coun
try In Canada, was revealed yesterday
when the special board of inquiry ap-
pointed by Secretary Daniels recon-
vened at the station and resumed the
questioning of all concerned.
1t was apparent from the opening of
court that Rear Admiral George W.
Kline, chairman. intends to bring out
every detail connected with the fight,
from the signing of the orders that
permitted Lieut.. Louis A. Kloor, flight
officer, to take out the balloon to the
row at Mattice. in which hts COM
panions. Lieuts. Stephen a. Farreii
and Walter Hinton, were the prin-
cipals.
The board adjourned yesterdays ses-
sion after ascertaining from Lieut..
Kloor that the December flight was
border in which he took part and
that he had no knowledge that such
procedure was contrary to the terms
of an agreement between the United
States and the Dominion officials.
1t was brought out also that the COM
ma ander Of the balloon learned of the
fight between the other two men from
Lieut.. Hinton himself, and that he I'M
mediately proceeded to influence them to
restore friendship.
Farrell Counsel Present.
Lieut.. Farrell, who was named in a
letter written by Lieut.. Hinton at Moose
Factory, as the first of the three to
"break." vas represented by counsel yes
terday. He has retained David Senft.
former Depeuty Attorney-General or
New York. and Mr.. Senft's presence was
frequently made evident by his oo1ec-
tions to the line of questioning.
Just before the board convened In the
forenoon, IL was made known that the
reopening of the case resulted from a
decision by the Judge Advocate OF the
Navy that the findings after the hrst IN
vestigation had not brought out tne
identity of tire officer who authorized the
flight. what it's purpose was, whetner the
how the officers conducted themselves.
The determination to ascertain where the
authorization came from was evident the
moment Commander Damon Il. cum
mings. commandant Of the station. took
the witness stand.
Commander Cummings said the pur-
nose was to familiarize pilots and airinen
with the air currents, and that the trec
balloon such as the A-559S was the pest
craft to use for the work. lie SAID ne
did not authorize any trip into Canadian
territory. Upon assuming cotniiiahu ..
the station. ten days before the flight
began. he said, he was handed an order
To sign. 1t was an authorization Tor
+ lent Kloor TO make the flight, and ne
signed II.
He was asked why his orders regard
ing the distance Of the flight were not
moro explicit, and he explained that tne
authorization was regular FORM LOT BIZ
planes and dirigibles. The men. ne ex-
plained further, understood tnat tncy
were not to go beyond the regular terri
tory, but that air currents conIoleu .nr
movements of their balloon. Regarding
the report of the flight he said he nad
received such a report from Lieut. hloor
upon the latter's return. but that II did
not bear materially upon the conduct Oh
the men. -
Lieut.. Kloor then was called to the
stand and questioned regarding the time
he expected the flight TO continue.
THE flight was contemplated TO iast
throughout the night OF December 10
landing early next day." he said.
"Was there any intention of reaching
the Canadian frontier was the next
question. o q,
at no time was there any definite IN
tertion Of reaching the border on this
flight" the Lieutenant answered t
no time did receive any orders. either
verbal or written, not to cross the "a
madam border. 1nasmuch as considered
that II would only be routine procedure
"a have accomplished the flight OF such
s,rat,on n the ballast and weight had
made Il possible. did not think l would
be exceeding my authority IL l did cross
the border. as all was thinking OF was
TO make the flight successfully
Previous border Flights.
He continued then to explain that on
nrevious flights he had driven balloons
across the border and never was told
not 40 do so. He said he didn't remem-
her whether Lieut. stevens. weather Of
ficer at Rockaway. told him an all night
flight would take the craft into the Do
minion.
conduct Of the party. Lieutenant-Com-
mandcr Archibald McGlasson. judge adj
vocate, opening UP that limo OF investi-
CATION with the following:
Previous testimony before this court
shows that an alteration between Far
reli and Hinton occurred at Mattice.
state what you know about this and
what steps you took In connection there
with"
Lieut. Kloor answered.
mo official report was made TO me
7 know nothing OF Il except that which
was told to me by newspaper reporters"
Mr.. Senft counsel for Lieut. Farrell,
objected TO the witness answering the
second part OF the question as a part OF
the first and Lieut. Kloor was asked n
second time to explain what he did about
the row. He said that Lieut.. Hinton told
him about II and that he brought the
two officers together. An objection by
eotInseI for Lieut. Farrell was oyerr,tted