Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-02
Flight ConvinCes Him Pas
Senger Service Must Await
-
Stronger AirShipS.
DIRIGlBLE FACED PERIL
OF BURSTING IN STORM
American Stowaway Turning His
Exploit Into Cash-U. s.
Officers Silent.
BY t Associated Press.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CeTuldIly, NO
vember 2.-Dr. Hugo Eckener, comman-
der of the Graf Zeppelin, is convinced
that faster and sturdier airships are
needed for transatlantic flying and is
planning to build them.
1--WE have not conquered the ocean
yet," said the commander. who faced
the possibility of having his ship burst
asunder in gale over the Atlantic.
"All our energy and ability must be
concentrated now on celebrating plans
of the present Zeppelin to provide a
more durable, powerful dirigible to in
sure really reliable transatlantic air
service"
Passenger Service Ended.
AS for the air liner which he built
and commanded during a trip of more
than 10000 miles to Lakehurst, N. j.,
and return, DR.. Eckener said, this ship
is finished for me as far as general reg
ular passenger traffic Is concerned"
Whether the Graf Zeppelin will
undertake another journey to the United
States this year is doubtful DR.. Eckener
stated.
ut is quite possible" he added. "that
this question will be definitely settled
in the course of November"
Reiterates His View.
DR.. Eckener reiterated that the Graf
Zeppelin was not adequate for regular
transoceanic service.
Clarence Terhune, 19-year-old stow
away, was receiving almost as much at
tention in Germany today as DR.. Ecken-
er. When he emerged from a confer
eQce with John E. Kehl, American con-
SUI, cheering crowds raised him to their
shoulders. He soon manifested keen
business sense and refused to say any
thing to newspaper men without being
paid
He has offers to write whatever he
may regarding the trip. Two large Amer
ican Syndicates were reported to be
bidding to exploit him, and he has had
many other lucrative, opportunities Of
| fered him. AS to which he would ac-
cept he has been silent
DR.. Eckener described the trip of the
airship and gave his conclusions at
banquet in honor of the crew, given by
the Zeppelin Corporation, and later at a
torchlight procession in their honor.
On the eastward flight one gale was
airship asunder if he had continued at
high speed. he said. Disaster was
averted only when the motors were
throttled down to minimum.
A second gale encountered OF the
coast of Europe was not much less fierce
than the first storm over Newfoundland,
DR.. Eckener said.
It did not sleep all that night" he
continued. But the navigation of the
ship never failed for an instant.
Saw Ships Tossing Below.
"Of course the airship rose somewhat,
but you should have seen the ships be-
low, tossing like corks and with their
decks awash."
How he had suddenly seen below him
wicked looking object was re-
counted by DR. Eckener. He first took
this for fog formation. Then he de-
cided it was a cloud A moment later
airShip was over the cliffs of Newfound-
land. This, he said, despite having
taken a course several hundreds miles
to the southeast.
when We saw those mountains of
ice underneath u.s." he continued, Eve
knew and recognized that the craft of
the old ocean was still greater than we
had imagined.
I'VE must learn from our experience
to build strong engines for our airships
so that we are no longer playthings in
the grip of the elements. We must
build stronger airShips which will en-
able us to cross the ocean not solely by
avoiding storm centers."
German Girls Fancy Terhune.
German girls are a bit too plump to
suit Terhur who captured the fancy
OF many OF e frauleins by showing
away on the af Zeppelin.
German e.rls are nice enough and
good looking" he said, "but they are too
big for me-"
Terhune left today for Stuttgart
where he hopes to obtain a temporary
american passport which will enable
him to proceed to Paris and catch the
first boat for America He said his
plans IN America were still unsettled.
He said he did not know until a few
hours before the airship's departure that
he would go On it,
Mrs. Clara Adams Of Tannersville.
"a: the only woman to make the trip
eastward, left unobstrusiveIy todav for
Lindau on Lake Constance after de-
Ginning to be interviewed.
Officers Keep Silent.
The three United States naval Of
f1cerS who made the flight, Condr. M.
r. Pierce, Lieut.. Thomas G.. w. Settle
and Lieut.. Charles Edward Bauch,
stated that they had pledged them
selves in writing not to say anything
about the trip
Capt. Hans G. Flemming, second Of
ficer of the Graf Zeppelin, said that
he, too. was under orders not to speak
about the trip.
When asked about Lakehurst, N. J.,
Capt, Flemming said it was beautifully
located, but that the hangar was badly
placed IN that 1t was continually ex-
posed to side winds He also considered
It was lying too high for an ideal air.
drome.
Use as Training Snip.
DIR. Eckener hopes to orgarsze q
transportation company in conjunction
with American interests to build a
larger and stronger airship, capable Of
withstanding the heaviest storms. In
that event the Graf Zeppelin will be
used as a school ship for training Zep-
pelin crews and also for other expert
mentS. A new hangar also must be
built at place to be determined later
In view of the fact that the Graf
Zeppelin is the largest dirigible in ex-
1stence today, what monster proper
ttonS the new Zeppelins that DR.. Eek
ener is dreaming Of will assume can
only be left to the imagination.
The transatlantic voyager viii not