Evening star., 1924-02-16
FEAR DELAY
TO ARCTIC FLIGHT
Officials Believe Any Con-
gress o. K. Will Come Too
Late-10-Day Limit Set.

| If the flight of the L. S. S. Shenan-
| doah into the Arctic regions in the
next two or three months depends
| upon congressional approval, little
chances for the undertaking in 1924
remains.
| Representative John Jacob Rogers
of Massachusetts, who two weeks ago
| introduced resolution in the House
calling on that body to go on record
as favoring the flight, today can
vassed the members and was given
assurances without a doubt that his
; resolution would be acted upon
promptly in the House.
But the situation in the Senate"
he said, "and thefeeling toward
Secretary DENLY will make it vir-
tually impossible, in my opinion, to
get approval within ten days, the
maximum time limit the Navy De-
partment has established. After this
time the Shenandoah could not carry
out original plans. l therefore re-
luctantly decided to abandon efforts
to get congressional approval"
Officers at the bureau of aeronautics
today. questioned President Coolidge's
Information on which he issued an
order yesterday postponing prepara-
tions for the expedition. This infor-
nation was that an expenditure of
$350,000 would be required and that
there was opposition in, Congress to
the flight. They declared further that
the real reason" for opposing the
flight has not yet come to light, but
confessed their ignorance of what it
was.
Denby's Statement.
Secretary Denby's formal statement
said:
Orders to cease preparations for
the polar expedition were issued to-
day by the Secretary Of the Navy.
The President, having been informed
that considerable opposition existed
to the required expenditure of $780,
O0O, instructed the department not to
proceed with the expedition at this
time nor until the naval bills have
been considered and Congress given
an opportunity, If it desires, to ex-
press it's views upon the polar expe-
dition."
Rear Admiral William A. Moffett.
chief of the bureau of aeronautics and
in direct charge of the flight. had
y
Denby, who has fathered the move
ment to explore unknown land in the
Arctic by aircraft since its tncep-
ton, could not amplify the statement
he issued yesterday OF the Presldents
decision.
A distinct atmosphere of pessimism
prevailed at the bureau. All hopes
for carrying out plans that have been
made day and night for months and
which took into consideration vir-
Il Nf r,yN hC nv
more in the future, seemed to have
disappeared.
All Plans Halted.
Upon receipt of the Presidents order
from Secretary DENLY, which was is
sued late yesterday afternoon. Admiral
Moffett threw the switch that stopped
machinery in operation throughout the
country. Work on the golfers Ramapo
and Patoka for installation or mooring
dations for accompanying airplanes
was ordered stopped. The advance
party at Bremerton navy yard, Wash
ington state, expecting to leave for
was halted. Unless this party gets
started before the snow crust breaks
up it can only await the clear
ing up of the ice so as to make the
Journey by boat These %Hre insdn 5ae rl prin
at the bureau, which has been under
taken by the naval Arctic air board in
preparing the fight also was halted.
AS far as officers at the bureau
have been able to determine there
has been no publicly expressed oppo-
sition from Congress. A short time
ago, it was explained, some senator's
engaged in pleasantly on the Senate
floor regarding the Shenandoah,
among them being Senator Dill of
Washington. He was credited with
registering objection to the fight, but
when this was called to his atten-
ton by Navy pilots, he is said to
have told them he was only having
fun with the Secretary" Representa-
tive Taylor of West Virginia Of
fered a resolution in the House call
ing on the Navy Secretary, Admiral
Moffett, Bob Bartlett and others
connected with the plans to explain
them in detail. This committee
registered no opposition to the trip"
and Representative French of Idaho,
chairman OF that body, explaining to-
day, said it was the sense Of the
members that they had no jurisdic-
tion over the matter at all.
Eve put the hurdles high for the
officers" he said, land they made a
good case of it."
Representative Longworth Of Ohio,
republican leader in the House, said
last night he had heard of no move
ment either in the Senate or House to
halt the proposed expedition. Chair
man Madden of the House appropria-
|tions committee is understood to be
Continued on Page 2. Column 3D.