Evening star., 1925-11-18

and with his lighter than air train
ing and experience, but he did not,
either for the want of a question
by the prosecution or a desire on his
own part, give the exact cause of
the disaster There followed at this
point a brief argument between the
witness and Maj. Gullion on knowl-
actual experience.
Are you familiar with the tests
on the Shenandoah to show the
helium discharge?" asked Maj. Gull
lion, changing the subject.
Il made these tests myself" re-
piled Capt. Heinen. But the tests
were not made with automatic valves
above the pressure height. They
were made with maneuvering valves"
There being no questions by the
court Capt. Heinen was excused and
Maj. Kennedy was called.
Maj. Kennedy informed the court
that he was one of the six original
flyers in the United States and was
injured in a crash in 1872. tie said he
is both the heavier-than air and light
er-than-air pilot. He told of being sent
to Germany as the Army observer OF
construction work on the ZR-3, and of
his return to this country aboard the
completed craft.
have the witness express an opinion as
to the effect that would be caused by
the tearing Off of the nose of an air
ship, Maj. Gullion objected to an
answer on the ground that Mai Ken
nedy has not been qualified as a
structural expert.
Upon the suggestion of Mr. Reid,
Maj. Gullion cross. questioned the Wit
ness regarding his qualifications 10
l.;
construction and materials. He put to
the witness a number OF highly tech
meal questions regarding the tensile
strength, feXibility and other fea
lures OF duralumin and the effect on
this metal by calcium chloride used as
an antifreeZing solution. After the
witness had replied satisfactorily TO
most of the questions. the court aC-
cepted the opinion of its law mem
Der than the witness was an expert.
Describes Danger to Ship.
Maj. Kennedy. answering hypo-
thetlcal questions by NT. Reid said
that rapid rise of an airship such
as the Shenandoah would cause ok.
pdnsion Of the gas in the cells. that
failure OF the cells 10 diScharge this
expanded gas would rupture them
and that such a rupture would uubal-
ance the ship and very probably
break it."
Maj. Kennedy declared that re,iur-
ton Of the safety valves provided
for the release OF expanded gas would
lower proportionatelv the safety
factor. The only reason he could
give for reducing the number Of
valves was that helium would be con
served.
A second attempt by the defense
in two days To have. :he court in
formed of what thief Petty officer
Collier. Il survivor of the S;heuandoah.
told Maj. Kennedy about the crash
on the morning II occurred failed.
Yesterday tho court refused to allow
another Witness to give "nerrSav
evidence" and today when Mr.. Reid
sought to have Mai Kennedy tell
the court about il. the prosecution
entered vigorous objection as a re
suit 81 which the defense called upon
the court "a Produce chief Petty OFF
Ger Collier himself.
Controversy Enliyeninc.
The controversy over whether or
not 1t was proper TO have Mai. Ken.
nedy testify concerning this Sheran-
dhah conversation was uf a ve:-,, en-
liVeninE character
For tn" first time since the trial ta-
gan th@ prosecution CmVlatel scl.l. of
Ar. keiG : OWE tactics, with Mai. Gul-
lion piayins the leading part The
SerpaI ti!t between Maj. Cullen and
Mr.. Reid developed into am cyc'lar, --.4
OF personalities. with the former ieat.
ediy breaking in now and then with
the complaint t!.at nobody could near
what Mr. Reid was saying
They cal hear what am saving
all right, shouted Mr.. Reid, but they
just don't understand that's all
After a few further quips rad been
exchanged the witness was excused.
Says Dirigible Overweight.
Capt. Clarke, who is in charge OF
Eghter-than- air work at Langley Field
Va. testified that the Shenandoah
was overweight in construction. ac.
cording to his examination Of the de
signs and specifications Of the ship.
The effect OF expanding gas in a dirigi.
bic, he added, was that "Somethinr
must give way. either the ship or tho
cells"
1t Is the practice in the Army Air
Service to use paraChUteS when MAX
ing lighter-th tha n-air flights. he said. and
when asked by Mr. Reid if he con-
sidered II criminal negligence to order
men to make flights over land without
parachutes, Maj Gullion objected. and
Col. WinShip sustained IL immedia tely.
Under croSs-examination the wit
ness declared, 70 his knowledge, the
Navy does not use parachutes on air
ships, adding that when he flew in the
Los Angeles there were only two on
board, although the crew numbered
between so or so men.
Are you familiar with the fact that
the Navy carefully considered this
question and adopted a policy not to
use parachutes on dirigibles" asked
Maj. Gullion.
"All know is that. they don't use
them"
Asked for Explanation.
Capt. Clarke, upon testifying that
he was aware Of the reasons for not
carrying parachutes on dirigibles. was
asked by the prosecution If it were not
because parachutes interfere with the
passage Of members Of the crew on the
| narrow runways of the ship, and that
Furthermore, they might prove value
less in view of the rapid fall of q
wrecked airship. The witness said he
had heard Of these suggestions.
Col. John Pagelow, veteran lighter
than-air expert Of the Army, told the
court that rapid expansion of gas ir
the cells of a dirieible would destroy
| the ship unless some outlet was pro
vided for the expanded gas He de
| clared that parachutes should be car
+, ried on all airships and said he woult
prosecute any man in his command
| who failed to carry one.
Lieut.. G. A. Anderson of the Arm,