New Britain herald., 1925-09-03
NAVY DEPARTMENT
 BUSHES RELIEF PLANS
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(Continued From First Page) Aircraft at the Anacostia station on the outskirts of this city, the near est machines in the naval service 10 the scene of the dsaster were or dcred to stand by ready on notice to start for Ohio with physicians, medicine supplies and emergency re- lief material. Navy recruiting offi- cers at interior points were given similar instructions and the officer in charge at Pittsburgh was ordered 10 proceed immediately 10 Ava.
 Major General Patrick, chief of the army air service, called at the navy air service headquarters. vol- urteering to give everything the army has to the sister service. Gen eral Patrick said planes, doctors and any needed supplies the army had would be rushed to Ava as soon as the navy requested, The Dayton O., army station, he said, was in readi- ness 10 take the air on a moments notice.
 The American Red Cross sought information, both from the navy and the Associated Press. and made prepa rations to order aid sent from the nearest Red Cross chapter.
 As the relief plans shaped up during the morning navy medical assistance was ordered dispatched from Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
 Commander Jacoh Klein was or derod to fly st once from Lakehnrst 10 take command at the scene Of the disaster.
 Lieutenant Commander Wick and Commander Fulton Of the construc- ton corps in Washington left for the scene by plane.
 The recruiting officer at Cincin- nati took charge of the subsistence and transportation of the surviving personnel back to Lakehurst
 The Red Cross order, addressed to its chapters at Cambridge and Caldwell, directed them 10 "im- mediately arrange for such emer- gency relief as the situation re- duires and use chapter funds for that purpose as representative of the national organization"
 Theodore Book, national head quarters representative, was in- structed to proceed Immediately to Caldwell.
 A message Of sympathy was sent | by Secretary Wilbur 10 Iakehurst with instructions that it be trans mitted 10 all bereaved families.
 The danger which wrecked the l Shenandoah, Mir. Wilbur said, was one the navy had tried 10 avoid. Last summer, the department res fused to send the craft into the in terior because of the prevalence Of storms.
 When 1t was suggested that the Shenandoah mako the midwest flight last July. the secretary said, Com mander 1.ansdowne came to Wash | ington and conferred with Admiral Eberle. chief Of naval operations, Rear Admiral Moffett. chief of naval aeronautics, and other officers.
 As a result of his advice it was decided to defer the flight until this | month, when it was felt conditions would be more favorable.
 Commander Lansdowne himself, Secretary Wilbur said, was allowed to fix the time of the flight and 10 arrange the course. This was in &C., cordance with a policy of never issuing percmptory orders 10 officers in the dirigible service.
 Mr. Wilbur declared the accident would lead 10 no change in the de- partmont's policy toward the Los Angeles. While she rrnnot be used for military purposes, it is assumed she can be employed in a limited way in tests, to demonstrate capacity of operation.
 Among all officers there was a feeling of thankfulness that the Shenandoah was not inflated with the innammablc hydrogen gas, An explosion during the breaking up of the ship undoubtedly would have led to much greater lo7s of life.
 In his message of sympathy 10 the commanding officer at Lakchurst Secretary Wilbur said:
 "Please extend my profound sym rathy and express my great sorro" 10 each family at I.akehurst suffer ing loss by the wreck of the Shen- andoah. We honor the officers and linen killed and injured and deplore the loss we share in common with YOU. May God comfort you in your afflirtion.'
 Commander T.ansdownc had beer lin command of the Shenandoah since February, 1924, and was re, garded as one of the ablest maya officers in lightcr-than-a air craft op' crations. He had been connected with that branch Of aeronautics al most from its inception, and wa: one of those who accompanied tho British dirigible R-34 on it's trans Atlantic flight in July. 1919.
 Graduated from the naval acad emy in 1909. he had a wide range of sea service before he was orderef 10 the Pensacola air station il ll9l6. In August, 1917, he was sen 10 the British airship instruction station al CranHcll. England, where he vas graduated as an airship pilot He served during the war al Eng land. a' the nay department a Washington in connection with avi alton operations. and as command CT Of an air station in France. Ia ter he was again ordered 10 dut! at the navy department, and ther from November. 1?l9, to February ,l92o. was in command of the maya