Bisbee daily review., 1922-02-25
APPROPR RATION TO BE ASKED TO PRODUCE HELIUM
Harding Will Ask Congress For an Appropriation to
 Manufacture Helium

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Believing that the loss of life in the destruction of the plant airship Roma would have been greatly lessened had the great craft been filled with helium instead of hydrogen gas. President Harding and members of his official family were understood to have decided at todays cabinet meeting to ask con- gress for a liberal appropriation for production and conservation of hel- ium.
 The matter of increasing helium production was said to have been dis eused by the cabinet for half an hour. Secretary Fall laying before the pres ident and other members consider able data on the non-inflammable gas, and also the draft of a tentative bill to provide for increased production and conservation. Among the related subjects discussed, it was learned, was the possibility of obtaining stores of helium by the government from the natural gas wells on public lands.
 Will Not Buy Zeppelin.
 Another development along a sim liar line was the disclosure tha tdip-
 
 between the state department and the allied governments and Germany in connection with the proposal that Germany should build Zeppelin dir igible airship for the United States under American separations allot- ments.
 While the allied governments, thrcueh the council of ambassadors, have consented that Germany should construct such a ship, a difference has arisen as to whether the amount of American separations allotment would cover the cost of the ship.
 Secretary Denby of the navy depart ment, made it clear today that unless the separations figures would cover the construction work, so that no ad- ditional expense to the United States government would be involved, the request of the navy department for the Zeppelin would be withdrawn.
 Under the terms of the traty of Versailles, Germany was required to deliver 13 Zeppelin airships to the allied and associated governments to be pro-rated among them. The United States was to have received two of these ships. After delivery of six ves- sells to the allied governments, how ever, the remaining seven in Germany were illgal!y destroyed by the Ger mans and the separations commission has required that Germany should re place these seven, either by construc- ton or in cash payments. The Ger 1 man officials have now come forward. however, with a statement as to the | costs of construction of modern ! zeppelin for civil use such as desired ! by the United States. This estimate, l lt was explained today, is greater than the valuation placed by the repara- tons commission upon the two Zep- pellns originally allotted to the United states, but which were not delivered.
 Wants Definite Report. |
 Secretary Denby has asked the state department to conduct negotia- tions which will establish definitely the cost to the United States involved, | should he proposal that Germany | build at Zeppelin for the American | government be carried out. If that cost IS greater than the amount owed | to the United States by Germany for the two craft destroyed, Denby said today he would recommend with drawal of the request for the new airship
 secretary Denby made It clear that he was very much in doubt per. sonally as to the military value of Iarge-sized dirigible aircraft. although he believes that the departmnt should press forward construction of me IR1, now building by the navy. because of the engineering and other valuable information on the subject that might be thus obtained.
 me sympathy of the French gov. ernment and nation fo rthe relatives or men who lost their lives in the col Iapse or the Roma was expressed to. day by Ambassador Jusserand