New Britain herald., 1930-10-06
Air Council Meets

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 London, Oct. 6 P--A meeting of the air council was held today when the governments official considera- tion was given to all facts availa ble regarding the disaster in France to the dirigible R-101.
 Undersecretary for Air F. Mon- tague presided at the session and announced that a court of inquiry would be appointed. This was the only decision definitely reached 1t the meeting.
 The council members had no definite news of how the tragedy oc- cured. They stated that the fact that oil had been found at some dis tance from the airship proved noth- ing. They entertained the view that 1t might have been dropped in order to tighten the dirigible in last min- ute endeavors to raise her to a higher altitude.
 Steady Calls From Families
 The air ministry offices today saw a steady procession of sorrowing families and friends of the victims coming to inquire for news. Clerks were busy also with many messages of sympathy from all parts of the globe.
 It was announced this afternoon that memorial service for the R-10l victims will be held in St. Pauls cathedral tt noon on Friday
 Standing in silent tribute, heads or delegations to the imperial con- ference today adopted a resolution moved by Prime Minister R. B. Bennett of Canada, and seconded by , Prime Minister James Scullin of . Australia, voicing sorrow at the disaster to the airship R-1O1 and the loss of so many brave and val uable lives.''
 Prime Minister Mac Donald thank ca the conference for the express sion of their sympathy.
 Not only were ministerial offices borne down by emergency duties brought about by the R-1O1 catas- trophe in France but the air of gloom was intensified by the appear ance throughout the day of the sad eyed relatives.
 Mrs. Radcliffe Calls
 One of these was Mrs. Radcliffe. O. Bedford, wife of Rigger Walter George Radcliffe of the R-1o1, who called with her elderly father to ask if any word had been received about her husband, who was listed yesterday as one of the injured in the R-101 crash. They were white faced and tense as the clerk tele- phoned another department. The clerk paused as a reply came, then passed the receiver to the wife with the words. you had better speak.
 Those standing by her saw her face go bloodless as she heard the news of her husbands death in the French emergency hospital
 He is gone" she gasped and the receiver dropped from her hand. 4 Among the victims of the air trag- edy none was more widely lamented today than Lord Thomson, air min ister. who was an extremely popu- lar figure. Many stories are told of his enthusiasm over airships espe- cially for the R-101.
 Would Brave Any Storm
 with a good skipper and a good crew I would travel in the R-1o1 in any weather" he recently told some friends. Speaking at a dinner in London on the eve of the departure of the R-101 Lord Thomson told his hearers he was just going to Cardington for the flight, adding, "the only risk I fear is tonight's motor journey to Darlington"
 Notwithstanding his intrepidit,, and optimism, he alway professed the earnest determination of tn. air ministry to take no unnecessary chances. There were many today who pointed out that when Thom- son was made a peer he choose the title of Lord Thomson of Carding- ton, expressing his great attachment for the airship center.