Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-02-25
CONGRESS MAY STOP
APPROPRIATIONS FOR
D|R|G|BLE BALLOONS
Investigation May Be Made
Of Letter Of Officer Charg-
ing That Roma Was "Crim-
inaIIy Unsafe''

WASHINGTON, Beb. 24.-Con.
struction of any other large dirigi-
bles by the army or navy will be
strongly opposed by Representative
Madden, Illinois. chairman of the
powerful house appropriations COM
mittee. 49,.
Because of the Roma disaster, Mr..
Madden, after a call at the White
House, said he had definitely decid-
ed to take steps through his COM
mittee to stop all appropriations for
dirigible development.
Because of the numerous disas-
tiers to dirigible9, several with such
large death tolls, I have definitely
decided that the government should
devote it's money and energies to the
development of 'heavier-than-air'
craft" he said.
1.-THE appropriations committee
will look into the question thorough
ly to determine this air policy"
At the army air service it was said
no decision had been reached as to
whether congress would be asked to
approve appropriations for more big
dirigibles.
The financial loss to the govern
ment because of the Roma disas-
ter will be more than 100000, Of
fcials said. The big ship cost
slightly under 100000 and the in
surance claims will require at least
$250,0O0.
Air service officials said inquiry
would be made concerning the
charges that the Roma was ..crim-
inally unsafe" made by Lieutenant
Clifford E. Smythe, Of Chicago, in a
letter to his father. Smythe was
killed in the disaster and the letter
was written after the giant ship had
difficulty in making a flight from
Norfolk Washington several
weeks ago.
The army and navy reception,
which was to have been held at the
White House tonight, was postponed
today because Of the Roma dis
aster.
BREAKDOWN OF CONTROLS
REAL CAUSE OF CRASH
NORFOLK, Va, Feb. 24.-Mem-
bers of the army investigating board
continued today their efforts to de-
termine if possible the definite and
primary cause of the disaster which
overlook the giant army dirigible
Roma over the army base here Tues
day in which thirty-four of her pas
sengers and crew met death and the
worlds semi-rigid aircraft was de.
mClished.
That the fatal crash to earth of
the great airship followed a break
down of the controls regulating the
altitude of the craft appeared today
to have been definitely established
in the testimony thus far given. Be-
lief that this was the general cause
of the disaster was expressed by Ma
jor General Patrick, head of the
army air service, in statement is
sued yesterday on the basis of the
initial testimony, and there had been
no further official word today on the
result of the investigation thus far.
The inquiry is proceeding behind
closed doors and no details were
known of the testimony given by the
survivors as well as eye-witnesses
of the disaster, experts and others.
The eight injured in the accident
all were said to be making good prog
ress toward recovery today with the
exception of Charles Devorack, SUI
perintendent of construction at Nc
Cook field, Dayton. o.. who still was
reported to be in critical condi-
ton at the public health hospital.
The condition of five CT the injured
had permitted them to be removed
from the hospital to Langley field.
Meanwhile, at Newport News,
where the dead were taken, relatives
and friends continued to arrive to-
day to identify the bodies and make
arrangements to have them removed
to their homes for burial. Offices
at Langley field had informed city
officials there that arrangements
probably would be completed today
to hold funeral services tomorrow for
all the thirty-four dead at the under
taking establishments in Newport
News to which they have been
brought. Officials of that city, Nor
folk and Hampton, and the several
American Legion posts have ar.
ranged to pay tribute to the dead
at the services and during the quar-
ter hour at noon there will be a
complete suspension of all business
on the Virginia peninsula.
II M II