New Britain herald., 1929-05-18
blE'|g|f TAMPERING
 WITH DlRIGIBLE
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mechanics received their training ir the Naybach works and then were taken over by the Zeppelin compan, ss engine specialists. The Frenc4 authorities facilitated to an extraor- dinary degree our being able te transport these motors without red tape"
 Assistant General Director Karl Lutx. was visibiy annoyed when the idea of sabotage was suggested.
 Tt Is nonsense even to raise this question" he snapped, adding tha; for the present. nobody could tell what caused the motor breakdown.
 Director Oesterle of the Dornier airplane works. however. openly held to the theory of sabotage.
 Why should the same thing hap pen to two crankshafts? he ask ed. II have been with the motors for years and can't conceive of such duplicate tragedies. No, there has been dirty work somewhere"
 It was said today that the Graf's motors have had between 400 and 800 hours use while the ZR-3. now the Los Angeles, had 1000 hours use.
 This was pointed 10 as supporting the sabotage theory, but it was felt here impossible as yet to reach defi- mite conclusions regarding the breakdown.
 Discussing the matter Of sabotage, Director General Colsman of the Zeppelin works said:
 'Sabotage is absolutely precludeI. We haven't had any word as yet ss to what possibly could have caused the trouble, but VIC expect to tele- gram in the course of the day stat ing what in the way of repair and substitute parts is necessary. The French consul is arriving here this afternoon with the necessary per mits 70 that everybody and every thing can leave on moments mo- tice."
 Future Up To Eckener
 Asked whether the flight to the United State, would now be aban- doned, Director Goldman said:
 This is entirely in the hands of pr. Eckener, also the question whether and when he will start on his round -the-v'orld flight
 Karl Beuerle of the Zeppelin works who made the trip to the United States on the first flight as second engineer, said: Il can't make . guess as to what was the trouble. but I am positive that there could not be sabotage. No body was even allowed to go near tho motors except trusted men. Be- sides, if there was sAbotage. how could the engines run 50 many hours before the disaster came? :? According to engineers table of probabilities, all the engines should have stood the trip easily"
 'Cuers, France, May IS N = French bluejackets stood guard to- Aayaahout the German dirigiblc. Graf Zeppelin, housed in the hangar from which their own ill-fated Dixmude went forth five years ago to dis aster. Inside the hangar French mechanics assisted the Graf's crew. former enemies. but now friends in distrsss, to repair the damage which had incapacitated four of the dirigi- bles five motors.
 The entire atmosphere was one of frisndliness and good fellowship with . dash of bitter disa appointment among the Germans that they had failed to take their ship another time across the Atlantic. There was little or no trace of animosity which kept the two peoples 50 far apart during the World war and in the inn medtateiy succeeding years.
 The first man to call on pr. Hugo Eckener. the dirigible's master. after he arose late this morning was Rear Admiral Bintry. commanding the French naval base at Toulon.
 Il have . duty of gratitude to ful- fl," the German commander told the French rear admiral. II wish to express my sincerest thanks to the French navy for the efficacious as- sistance rendered us in our land. ing"
 Ekener Worn Out
 In the short conversation which followed Dr. Eckener insisted es- pecially on the word "efficacious" repeating it three or four aimes.
 He was not the hale and hearty man he has been pictured in France. On the contrary he appeared pale and drawn with his eeys bloodshot. He who geenraly has been 50 calm had . nervous twisting to his mouth and the left side of his face, plain evidence of the terrific strain to which he had been subjected during the battle of the elements over southern France yesterday.
 He turned to newspa permen: Wont you please tell your readers that the reception and welcome af- forded me, my crew, and my pas sengers has gone directly to my heart?"
 It was no secret here that the German commander did everything possible to avert forced landing in France. When turning back when of the coast of Spain it was Dr. Eckener's deeprooted intention to make Friedrichshafen under the dirigible's own power. even though two of it's motors were already out of commission.
 The third motor passed out near Mines and the fourth motor was ailenced when passing over Monteli- mar. In the hours that followed the violence of the cold northwest wind forced a change in his plans. neces- attating even his eventual call for help to the French authorities.
 . VIII Try Again
 we have failed 10 cross the At lantic n we had done before and as we Shall do again before long, ' Dr. Eckener said.