New Britain herald., 1924-11-25
Giant Aircraft Is To Be Christened Los Angeles" By Wife. Of The President.
Today's Flight From Lake, hurst Was First Time Entire Crew Was COm- posed of Americans.

Washington, Nov. 25.--Ths ZR-3 flying from Lakehurst to Washington for christening, arrived over the
 capital at 12:50 p. m.
 Flying comparatlvelylow the big ,hip circled over the city before go- Ing to Boiling field.
 Shortly after the dirigible appear
 sd over the city her commanding of-
 fcer notified Boiling field by wire
 less that the airship would cruise
 over Washington until 2:45 p. m. be-
 lore attempting a landing for the christening exercises.
 Many Are At Field
 Many of the high officials of the government and many envoys from other lands gathered at Boiling field for the ceremony.
 Only a hint of the military was permitted to enter into the exercises shearing away the mystical ZR designation so reminiscent of the war. The martial touch was con- fined to a national salute of twenty one guns from a nearby naval bat tery, and the playing of the Star Spangled Banner by a navy band.
 The Los Angeles Is designed for non military purposes only: but her precise duties are to be determined and she remains for the time being In the keeping of the navy, which received her from her Germ T build CTS after her flight across ,he At- lantic.
 Had American Crew Riding the air for the first time with an American crew, the glisten- ing flier was brought to Washing ton from Lakehurst under perfect behaviour. She arrived over the city at 12:60 p. m. and before de- scending for the christening, circled gracefully above the White House, the capital and the Washington monument, her long grey body out lined sharply against a canopy of white clouds All of the forenoon had been overcast, but just before the cruiser made her appearance overhead the sun broke through to brighten her welcome.
 Business in the government de- partments virtually stopped as cabi- net officials, senators and thousands in the humber walks of public service craned their necks for q look at the nations lew monster of the air. Navy officials watched her performance with the greater in- terest because 1t was her first trial on this side of the Atlantic, her first venture In the hands of American naval men and the first time she had taken the air using helium instead of hydrogen in her imitation tanks.
 Business Suspended The appearance over the Ameri- can capital of Zeppelin in her war paint during the eventful days of IT could scarcely have demoralized more completely the workday life of Washington. But today's risi- tor found only a whole-hearted welcome. both In her own right and because she symboized a new friendship between the land of her nativity and the country to which she has come.
 Three hundred men were formed on Boiling Field to land the ship when she began lowering overhead. They included attachments of sailors and marines from the presi- dential yacht MayfIower and of men from the naval air station, in service uniform. Grouped about the field were 1900 automobiles. the limit of capacity. A large space was set aside for those who trudged the dis tance to get a glimpse of the cere- monies.
 In contrast 10 previous occasions here when famous craft or fiers came over, the air today, except for two photographic planes, vas free. The navy had requested that no machines so aloft while the Los Angeles was overhead.
 The actual christening ceremonies, as planned at the navy department, were brief, The name Los Angeles and the insignia had been placed on the ship at Lakehurst; her crew had been drilled for the occasion. and only the time-honored custom re- mained to be carried out.
 It is expected that the airship will be back home by ? m.