New Britain herald., 1925-12-24
WHITEWASHING THE SHENANDOAH WRECK

SHENANDOAH NhJCh
 We have restrained ourselves considerably in connection with the various reports, records and investi- gations of the Shenandoah disaster. Not that the public mind does not require elucidation; 30 does tho editorial mind, for that matter. But it appeared from the first that the government agencies 'investigat- ing" the disaster were bound to find everything was in apple pie order and that the giant drigible did not come to it's finish through the negligence or carelessness of any government bureau. govern ment official, or government poli- ticians. It just happened. The gov- ernment doesn't control the weather, 1t seems, and doesn't even forecast it properly. The Shenan- doah was wrecked because a naughty storm started where and when nobody expected it.
 The naval court of inquiry into the Shenandoah wreck lately heard the frank testimony of Lieu tenant Commander Charles F.. Roscndahl, the senior surviving of fcer of the ship. Lieutenant Rosen- dahl no doubt by this time stands ace high with his superiors in tho navy dopartment; in fact, he ought to he promoted forthwith.
 Lieutenant Rosendahls testimony was that the disaster was a pure accident. Nobody intended it to be q disaster. These facts, we agree with the senior officer, are as fin | disputable" as he said his other l opinions about it were.
 The lieutenant said the testimony of Colonel Mitchell was not com petcnt; the testimony of Com- mandcr Lansdowne's widow was glosscd over; the commander, he said, was given complete liberty about the trip, despite documentary 1 evidence 10 the contrary and the testimony of the commander widow. The criticism of Cap tain Anton Heinen, who said the valves had been reduced by order of Washington swivel chair tech nicians, was merely due to "eXCite. ment," according 10 the lieutenant The valve system was sound, h. acclaimed.
 The facts are. however. that tho airship's fatal trip was timed a Washington so that 1t could bt
 
 used for advertising purposes b! passing over a series Of state ant county fairs being held at that tim in the west. Documentary evidence has been procured giving indisputa ble proof that this was the mall incentive behind the trip. Captatl Lansdovncs widow has told tn nation that her husband at first ob jected to the time of the trip ol account of the unreliable nature 0 weather conditions west of the Al lcghanios at that season of tn year; and the weather departmen was SO deficient in its duties that did not give notice of an approach ing storm and the ship was not in
 formed by radio of what 10 expec and to avoid. It is a fact, that th ships valves were greatly reduce
 prior 10 the trip, and it has nc been proven that this did not ia
 cllitate the breaking in two of th ship. as the valves were intende | to prevent the effect of contract ing or expanding holium upon tn fro y,,cU-ork
 According to the so-called navi
 investigation, everything was pei
 feet for the trip and the ship va
 destroyed. As stated previously, tn
 public mind is apt to be befuddle when contemplating the results ( the investigators and the state ments Of bureau politicians, bl this need not really be. The chi, thing is to forget the exalted statC men,s and opinions given by thos . who would whitcwash the situatio and stick 10 the probable facts. \
 amount Of investigating can era' Q them.
 , ' TlaminEo tongues were q gre,
 dcliCacy to the old Romans. READ HERALD CLASSIFIED AID FOR YOUR WANTS