The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-24
ROMA CRASH
SPURS STUDY
OF AIRCRAFT
Report on ZR-2 Linked
With Probe of Nor
folk Disaster.

dirigible Roma will result in new
and extended study by the air serv-
ice branches of the government in
lighter-than-air craft.
In addition to the probe now un-
der way to determine what caused
the Roma disaster. the report of
the aeronautical research commit
tee on the ill-fated ZR-2. which ex-
ploded last August over Hull, Eng
land, has been submitted to the
British government and Is now
available for determining defects
in dirfgible construction. =.
And in addition the Zeppelin be-
ing built in Germany for the
United States Navy under the repa-
rations clause of the Versailles
treaty will be studied in light of
the facts disclosed by the Roma and
ZR-2 reports
Answer to HeIium Advocates.
Preliminary Investigations of the
Roma disaster resulted yesterday
in the following:
l. The report of findings by Gen.
NJ NJ. Patrick, chic fof the Army
An oCA NASCB IhoI ting 4hoAnd "ICSh
was caused by temporary disable
ment of the rudder mechanism.
2. A formal statement by Secre-
tary Weeks. denouncing attacks on
Congress for failure to appropriate
sufficient funds for quantity pro-
duction of helium.
3. The announcement by Secre-
tary Weeks that he will make an
investigation into the alleged let
ter from Lieut.. Clifford E. Smythe,,
one of those killed on the Roma,
charging that the ship was unsafe,
and whether any intimation of this
view ever was received at the War
Department.
Promises Detailed Probe.
4. The calling off of the army and
navy reception at the White House
as token of respect to the VIC
tins. This reception. for which
1000 invitations had been issued, is
one of the most brilliant of all
Washington's social functions. 1t
was postponed until April 19.
5. The decision to piece together
the reports of recent dirigible dis
asters in an effort to determine
upon new means of making these
giant craft more safe.
The statement by Gen. Patrick
in his report to Secretary Weeks
that the Roma disaster would have
occurred even IL the envelope had
been filled with helium was re-
garded by officials as a reply to
heliun advocates who have been
busy since the tragedy.
f -.
disaster has begun, Secretary Weeks
announced, and no circumstance
having any bearing on the case
will be overlooked. With the COM
pletion 6r-the investigation specific
recommendations may result there
from. he said.
Not to spend More on Zepps.
Tragedies of the last six months
in dirigible experimental work have
somewhat dampened the enthusiasm
of the government over further ex-
penditures abroad on such craft. In
addition to Secretary Weeks, an
nounced belief that replacing of the
Roma at an estimated cost of ST.
250,000 would seem inadvisable
Navy officials indicated yesterday
that the new Zeppelin, being built
Tor the united states in Germany
must be delivered without cost to
this government, II at all.
Under the reparations agreement
in the Versailles treaty the allies
| allotted a certain sum to be used
in constructing the Zeppelin for
the United States. There is some
question now whether this sum will
prove sufficient: II 1t isn't, the navy
| may decline to take the ship, rather
than spend more money on 1t.
ZR-; structurslIy Weak.
The report of the heronautical
Research Committee on the ZR-.
disaster lays chief emphasis on the
fact that the R-3S Gas the ZR-s
was styled until purchased by the
American government) was struc-
turally weak, poorly designed and
with due regard for her size, the
R-3S was considerably weaker, than
her sister ship the R-33.
Aids in Lighthouse" Work.
ROME, Feb. 23.-Ambassador Child
assisted Queen Helena In formally
opening an exhibition here illustrat-