Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-05
D|R|G|BLES HIT FOG
IN HOOVER PARADE
Los Angeles and Four Blimps
Exchange Radio Quips
About AirpIanes.
BY EDWARD J. DUFFY,

ABOARD AIRSHIP LOS ANGELES
One broad fight of clear sky, sand-
wiched between cloud banks, which cut,
this giant airship off from the world for
long, wear1some periods, appeared above
Pennsylvania avenue in Washington to
give brief glimpse of the inaugural
parade TO the few aboard the airship.
Both immediately before and after
ward the Los Angeles seemed lost
craft. At first four blimpS-two from
the Army and two from the Navy
had bounced capriciously near as neigh
bors OF the airShip as all marked time
over Maryland awaiting radio instruc-
lions when to start the first air inaugu-
raj parade. Then the beating rain hid
the blimps from sight. except for fleet
ing glimpses. as they maneuvered
around their big sister.
As the white blanket of rain and fog
wrapped closer officers and passengers
listened for the humming of the blinu
motors and spoke to each other in low
cred tones. An occasional remark was
addressed generally: II wonder where
we are" What about those so air
planes?" when you're lost and there
are ships around-well. if one Of them
hits you, it's just too bad"
Ahu OPCHiIS III CfOuuSs
An order was heard from the con-
troll car. The Los Angeles propellers
spun more rapidly and the ship banked
over in long curve. Then came the
opening in the clouds. Across the Ana
costa River the Capital could be seen,
and behind us, swinging into line, the
blimps.
Two airplanes darted from a mass
of clouds to the right They sWooped
down like golden eagles with dripping
wings and disappeared in the mist.
Nearing eastern Washington. We saw
one wide Avenue, flanked by white,
stretching to beyond the White House.
The city, 1900 feet below. appeared to
be phantom land at deep twilight.
All the streets glistened blackly. The
outskirts were deserted, but crowds of
individuals swarmed together at It's
heart. Automobiles shone like so many
beetles. Here and there squares we're
outlined by red or khaki dots-military
organizations waiting to parade.
The Capitol loomed large. Before 1t
stood row and row OF empty cream-col-
ored chairs. looking like thin threads.
The time was 2:53, which officers said
was the exact moment the airship was
due at that point. Shortly before Her
bert Hoover had been sworn in there
prompted a glance to the West. There
stood dimly outlined reminders of two
men who had taken the same oath-the
first in 1889 and the second in 1861.
These reminders were the washington
Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
From our height they appeared TO be
only miniature reproductions
The air parade proceeded slowly, but
it seemed that it was only a matter of
fofn yr-a ta
House. That short time carried an in
delible impression. however. which was
enhanced by what went on within the
cabin. First. radio brought to those
there the story as it unfolded beneath.
Music of bandsmen. who could be
singled out by dull glints from their in
struments as they marched, was heard.
Joke About AirpIane.
A few persons looking up at the
airship could be seen by the white of
their faces. especially around the White
House. President Hoover also watched
the Los Angeles, for just as the craft
was turning away the radio announcer
said Mr.. Heover's attention had been
distracted from the parade by the
"airplane" flying overhead. "Airplane?"
asked listening naval officer.
How does he get that way?"
Division of the parade could not be
identified from the sky due to the
minimum scale to which everything
was reduced by altitude. When the
route had been covered. the Los
Angeles again was swallowed by the
clouds. It turned to get a tail wind
and headed for Lakehurst, NJ j.. at 90
miles an hour. Lieut. Comdr Charles
E. Rosendahl said he had radioed a
message to the blimps as soon as they
O,t& Of @sxlaF TTnIl - =
Within less than four hours. during
almost all of which time the land re-
manned obscured by the low hanging
clouds. the Los Angeles was back
maneuvering to get into the Lakehurst
hangar.