Evening star., 1924-01-28
Ii Any Airship Can Reach the
Pole the Shenandoah Can

The courage and skill of American
seamen are aXiomatical of the Amer
lean Navy itself. \ like measure of
pride now goes to American naval
airmen. For when the giant Shenan-
doah was torn from her mooring the
world was thrilled at the news of a
great airship adrift before the storm.
fighting for its life. Regardless of
what may be thought of the ability
OF the ship, what kept her up was
the spirit OF the United States
Navy" in the opinion of the nations
press. Most of the editors agree fur
ther that sailors Of the breed that
could drift away into that storm and
come back smiling can take the
Shenandoah over that long and un-
known journey to the north pole, if
it is possible for men to do it.
Tho achievement of those in
charge Of the Shenandoah is one of
the triumphs of modern day aerial
flight" is the way the Butte Miner
sums it up. For, as the Seattle Times
puts II. the Shenandoah's experience
proves conclusively that the aero
nauts are capable and that they can
handle the airship under the most
trying difficulties Furthermore,
they underwent a moral test that is
as important as the test OF her fabric
and the functioning of her engines"
according to the New York Times. All
of which. the Sioux City Journal de-
clares lis most gratifying to every
body and has quickened public in
terest in the dirigible." At any rate
the Newark News maintains the
great ship has stood a test no one
seems safer today than it did yester-
day; its conquest seems nearer" The
projected polar trip of the Shenan-
doah, the Baltimore Sun regards as
mot now so improbable as 1t seemed
before this exploit" Moreover. the
New York Evening World believes
Tthe StanchneSs and managea bleneSS
of the Shenandoah under trying con-
ditionS will do much toward restoring
faith that this particular set of air
problems can yet be solved"
That the massive airship has proved
her worth, just as the members of
her crew have proved their skill and
their intrepidity. the Springfield
Union agrees. but in the proposed
polar trip let there be no lack of
attention to every possible detail of
safety, and let us not be overCon-
fident concerning project that while
it may, and perhaps will. result in
triumph, may also result in disaster.
The Duluth Tribune, nevertheless. in
sists 1.-The accident to the Shenandoah
should be a warning" and IF 1t re-
suits in the polar flight being aban-
doned it will be worth many times
what it costs to repair the big ship. y
This is also the opinion of the Detroit
Fress Press, which says, "it should
give the Navy Department food for
serious thought" But the Kansas
City Journel claims "a test as severe
as any to which the Shenandoah is
likely to be subjected on it's forth
coming trip has been successfully
withstood." The Omaha World Herald
holds the same view, and suggests
further that the crew has had a
taste of battle with the elements,
which we'll may serve to Whet their
desire for one of the greatest adven-
lures of the modern age" Anyway,
the Chicago Tribune says, the harder
and the more dangerous the task the
more resolutely the Navy will attack
il, and whatever the possibilities of
the dirigible may be. our men will
develop them" And the lessons
learned from the Shenandoah expert
ence. the Indianapolis News suggests
"may aid materially in solving re-
naming problems" Certainly, moth
ing could have done more to restore
public confidence in the rigid air.
ship" is the opinion of the Boston
KnickerboCker Press adds work with
United States if this country hopes
to maintain its position among the
progressive nations Of the world, foI