Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-24
ARMY SERVICE MAY
NOT REPLACE ROMA

continued From First fagc.)
placement OF the Roma, but .Iit there
was no Justification for asking the
purchase or construction OF new
vessel OF the same type.
: The War Secretary. after a con
ference today with Major-Gcneral
Patrick. chief ot the army air ser
vice. who had Just returned from
Langley Field, where he had 4 per
scnal preliminary Investigation ~
tho disaster was represented az sat
isfed on the basis Of present iuior-
nation that the accident was due to
the breaking Of elevator rudder con
trolls or oi the supports FOR the ole
waiting gear. and that Their. was no
structural defect involved az ma.
'"re that probably could have been
detected in advance. Mr. Weeks
said. however. that he would have
department records investigated
tylly 10 see what reports had been
made 10y operating officers a, any
time as to the condition Of ,h= ship.
y" Complaint Made.
He had no knowledge. ne said. If
eny complaint in connection with the
ability cf the crew 10 control the
flight Of the Roma except cor tho
motor dinicuities which ed to the
replacing Of the original Italian en-
eines with American built Liberty
motors
L any officer OF Roma had kaowi-
edge before the accident OF the weak
nesscs III the vessel or structural ur
other defects, which rendered her the
least unsate for operation. MIR. We .l.s
said. il was the duty OF that ot,i.:,r
to report the facts Ia his supcriors
FOR tic protection OF himself ;nG irs
associates on the ship
Secretary Weeks and General Pat
rick took issue with published state
menis seeking To blame Congress in
connection with the Roma disaster.
have noticed articles in the
press said the secretary in for
/ ma! statement. in which Congress is
, blamed Tor the loss OF lives in con-
h"cti"n with the destruction Of the
| Roma such an attack on Congress
| - IN n" sense justified by the srn,i-
mentS of officials OF the War Depart
HiHnt or officers % the air service Of
IN" army. An investigation is being
! conducted To ascertain the cause Of
mis- most unfortunate disaster and
specific recommendations may Issue
thrr2from"
General Patrick. in a similar state
ment. said:
Despite public reports to the con
'farN, there is no disposition on the
part OF any one in the army air SER
wee To place the blame for thu Ron
accident Mt the doors OF Congress
\" Hinmc ON Congress.
Statements that failure Of CON.
Er"Ss |" appropriate funds for helum
/ P'"hn''!"n and that the lack of her,
/ l"n' caused the accident. are no,
based on facts. Congress approrri.
! ated literally ror Development az mo
/ processes OF extracting hcIiuyn dur
~ '"'~"'r' ana has since given ~,
'hhds requested FOR further .yno,,.
"''"'"' ""rk looking To pcrfcctC ;
The processes
ihe Roma disaster would have
h"rpcno" just the same had m. Gin
nctn hlicd with hciium. instead nj
hEdr"Een /, is true. however. ina,
, :" az Pi"hahIlity the loss Of life nigh,
no, nave been So great,
"a rigid Investigation Is ro,,.
way TO determine the exac, cauvc -,
'hc accident, AS soon ay 80 ",
! "'"Pic'cS It's work. public anu,.:ucc.
mem Nj! he made OF it's findings +.
Messages OF sympathy al tbe Ins.
o! III" In the disaster con,inueI tod,
/" hprr IN ~ the War Dcpartm.n,
an" president and Mrs. IIardinc nm.
"'""'eG mat because of the doc,
s"r'oW f"it in army circles "a, m,