Arizona republican., 1922-02-25
CABINET FAVORS
HEL|UM GAS FOR
To
REDUCE HAZARD

WASHINGTON. Feb. 24-Believing
that the loss of life in the destruc-
ton OF the giant airship Roma would
have been greatly iessened had the
great craft been filled with helium
instead OF hydrogen gas. President
Harding and members Of his official
family are understood to have decid-
ed at today's cabinet meeting to ask
congress for a liberal appropriation
for production and conservation of
he
tier OF increasing helium
was said to have been dis
the cabinet for half an
tary Fan laying before
.ent and other members
ole data on the non-inflam-
!. as and also the draft OF a
tentative bill TO provide for increased
production and conservation. Among
the related subjects discussed IL was
learned was the possibility of obtain
ing stores OF helium by the govern
mcnt from the natural gas fields on
public lands.
Another development along a sim
liar line was the disclosure that
diplomatic negotiations were in prog
ress between the state department
and allied governments and Germany
in connection with the proposal that
Germany should build a Zeppelin air.
ship for the United States under the
American reparations allotment
While the allied governments
through the council OF ambassadors.
have consented that Germany should
construct such ship, a difference
has arisen as to whether the amount
of the American reparations allot-
ment would cover the cost OF the
ship.
Secretary DENLY OF the navy de-
partment made il clear today that
unless the reparations figures would
cover the construction work. so that
no additional expense to the United
States government would be involved
the request OF the navy department
for the Zeppelin would be withdrawn.
May Build Zeppelin
Under the terms OF the treaty OF
Versailles, Germany was required to
deliver 1S Zeppelin airships to the
allied and associated governments to
be prorated among them. The Unit
ed States was TO have received two
OF these ships. After delivery of six
vessels to the allied governments,
however, the remaining seven in Ger
many were illegally destroyed by the
Germans and the reparations COM
mission has required that Germany
should replace those seven either by
construction or in cash payments.
The German officials have now come
forward. however. with a statement
as to the costs of construction of a
modern Zeppelin for civil use such as
desired by the United States. This
estimate, it was explained today is
greater than the valuation placed
by the reparat ons commission upon
the two Zeppelins originally allotted
to the United States, but which were
not delivered.
Secretary DENLY has asked the
state department to conduct neSo-
tiations which will establish def
initely the cost to the United States
involved, should the proposal that
Germany build a Zeppelin for the
American government be carried out
II that cost is greater than the
amount owed to the United States
by Germany for the two craft de-
stroyed. Mr.. DENLY said today he
would recommend withdrawal Of the
request for the new airship.
Secretary DENLY made IL clear that
he was yer ymuch in doubt as to the
military value OF the large sized dir
gible airship, although he believes
that the department should press
forward construction of the ZKl
now building BY the navy, because Of
the engineering and other valuable
information on the subject that may
be thus obtained.
The sympathy OF the French gov
ernment and nation for the relatives
OF men who lost their lives in the
collapse or the Roma was expressed
today by Ambassador Jussersnd.