The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-12-22
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QUIZ Ne AIRS
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tended investigation. He ar
raigned certain witnesses, incIud-
ing Col. William Mitchell, who
testified the giant air liner was
improperly operated, and fatty
denied that Lieut.. Comdr. Zachary
LanSdoWne went on the fatal
flight under protest.
FlOuts Mitchell Testimony
From the direct examination Of
Colonel Mitchell it was very APP
parent to Us he had no expert
knowledge Of his own relative to
the disaster. His testimony sub.
stantiated fully an utterance OF his
counsel that anyone who read
Mitchell,s statement would recog-
nize that It is fine play Of words
that really means nothing.
RosendahI insisted there was no
evidence to show LansdoWne pro-
tested the flight because Of fear
OF the weather IN the early part
OF September, when the flight took
place.
'aTo believe then the alleged re-
luctance Of Commander IaKsdOW1e
to carry out the flight as ordered
that such an officer would leopard.
lie his crew and the ship Wilfully
and knowingly not only ap-
proac11es the height Of absurdity
but ISLANDERS the dead. he said.
Rosendahl reviewed expert testi-
mony to show the Shenandoah was
not weakened by corrosiOn or the
strain caused by breaking away
from her mooring mast at Lake
hurst In 1924. and defended the
new valve system which was
criticised by many witnesses.
Wants New DirigibIe
TT is evident. he said. that the
valve installation on the Shenan-
doah was adequate for any condi.
tons encountered and cannot be
considered as contributing to its
loss.
Rosendahl made q plea for COM
tinuation OF dirigible experiments
ton.
1T would be in keeping with
neither tradition nor sound business
to abandon at this stage an enter
prise on which such an immense
amount Of effort has already been
expended and which with slightly
more expenditure will bring forth
the potential value and possibilities
Of this type of aircraft. We are
ready to do and give our utmost to-
ward the continuation and further.
ing OF this project and urge the
court to recommend the further
ance of rigid airship development
and operation in the Navy"
The long drawn out investigation
Of the Shenandoah disaster neared
an end today with indications that
it would be in the hands OF the
naval court of inquiry for findings
late today.
Called primarily to fix response
bility for the fatal crash over Ohio
last September, which caused q loss
OF fourteen lives. the inquiry de-
veloped wide variety of informa-
ton bearing on all phases of air.
ship design and operation which adj
mittedly will be used in constructing
newer and better, Shenandoah-if
Congress permits.
Final Argument On
Final arguments were begun to-
day by the survivors, headed by
Lieut.. AOtnOF. u. II. 1OScAOdHt,
senior officer. He was to be fol-
lowed by officials of the Bureau
of Aeronautics and representatives
Of the naval air station at Lake.
hurst.
Major Henry Leonard, judge advo-
cate of the court, who already has
delivered an argument, has not de-
cided whether to close the case.
Unless statements requiring re-
buttal are submitted by the sur
vivors, he probably will rest with
out further argument.
The gigantic mass of data now
before the court preciudes any
possibility OF an immediate deci-
sion, it was indicated today.
Many Sensations
Sensation after sensation has
featured the progress of the case.
Early in the investigation; Secretary
of the Navy Wilbur was drawn into
row over veracity with Mrs.
Margaret Ross Lansdowne. widow
of Lieut. Comdr. Zachary Lans-
downe, dead captain of the ship.
Mrs. Lansdowne insisted her nus
band was sent on the fatal flight
under protest, taking the witness
stand to substantiate her charges.
I Then as climax she levcled
charges against Capt. Paul Foley,
Judge advocate of the court, assert
Ing an effort had beer marie t.
: .,Ity,,, Ear t,s- f+anp.