The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-24
MILITARY VALUE
OF DIRICIBLES TO
Be INVESTIGATED
Loss of the Roma Has Entirely
Upset Training and Operat-
ing Program of This
Branch of Service.
(ey The Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Feb 23-An in
quiry by the army air service into
the whole question of the military
value of lighter -than-ai craft is ex-
pected to grow out of the Roma disas-
ter.
Officers of the air service said today
such an inquiry would be necessary
because loss of the Roma had entirely
upset training and operating programs
for that branch of the service. From
the inquiry, it Is understood, will come
a decision as to whether there is suf-
f1cient military value, direct or indi-
rect, in, the employment by the army
of dirigible aircraft of great size to
for the acquisition of new craft of
the lighter-than-air type.
Secretary Weeks, in this connection,
said today he had not discussed with
his military advisers the replacement
OF the Roma, but felt there was no
justification for asking the purchase
or construction of a new vessel of the
same type. The war secretary, after
a conference with Major General Pat
rick, chief of the army air service,
was represented as satisfied on the
basis of present information that the
accident was due to the breaking of
elevating rudder controls or OF the
supports for the eievating gear and
that there was no structural defect
involved of q nature that probably
could have been detected in advance.
Mr. Weeks said however, that he
would have department records inves-
tigated fully to see what reports had
been made by operating officers at any
time as to the condition of the ship.
He had no knowledge. he said, Of
any complaint in connection with the
ability of the crew to control the flight
of the Roma except for the motor diff
fieulties which led to the replacing of
the original Italian engines with the
American built Liberty motors.
If any officer of the Roma had
knowledge before the accident Of.
weaknesses of the vessel or structural
or other defects which rendered her
in the least unsafe for operation, Mr.
Weeks said, 1t was the duty of that
officer to report the facts to his SUI
periors for the protection of himself
and of his associates on the ship.
Secretary Weeks and General Pat
rick took issue with published state
ments seeking to blame congress in
connection with thet Roma disaster.
II have noticed articles in the press"
said the secretary in a formal state
ment, "in which congress is blamed
for the loss of lives in connection with
the destruction of the Roma. Such an
attack on congress is unjust, and isl
in no sense justified by sentiment
Of officials of the war department or,
officers of the air service of the army
An investigation is being conducted to,
determine the cause of this most un-
fortunate disaster and specific recon-
may result therefrom."
Messages of sympathy at the loss of
life in the disaster continued today toI
pour in at the war department, and
President and Mrs. Harding an
nounced that because Of the deep sor-
row felt in army circles at the loss of
the state reception for off, |
GERS of the army and navy. which was
set for tonight, would be postponed |
until April 10.
The messages of sympathy received |
included one from the air council in |
II. L. u.
rrenchard, chief of the British air |
staff, said call ranks of the royal air
'orce and myself" extended sympathy, |
md a similar message from the air !
BOARD of Canada also was received.
The state department made public |
. message from Senator Ricci, the |
Italian ambassador, and announced !
hat the American charge at Berlin
lad been asked by the German chan
.ellor to convey the heartfelt sympa-
hy of the German government" to the
elatives of those who lost their lives
md TO the American government
THE tragic end of the brave men,
Who, in the performance of their duty, |
ost their lives said Ambassador
2icci. will be mourned by all in my
country. and l wish TO express our
heartfelt condolences to their families /
beg to extend my governments and
ny personal sympathy to Secretary
Weeks and the army air service"