Evening star., 1931-11-29

To President Hoover, as chairman of
the Arlington Memorial Bridge Com
mission. in charge of the work which
includes the proposed colomns, 40 all
transport pilots flying out Of Washing
ton have addressed a petition against
erection Of the columns.
These pilots, whose total flying time
runs in. excess OF 10000 hours, point
out TO the President that their respon-
sibility for human lives and property
now is sufficiently heavy without hav-
ing additional hazards put in their way
The columns, if erected, will stand
within the approach area to the air.
port it was pointed out. In clear
weather, when the columns would be
clearly visible there would be no men
ace, the pilots have pointed out. In
misty weather however, the gray gran
ite. blending with gray mist or light
fog, even though the shafts were flood
lighted would be exceedingly difficult
TO pick up from the control cockpit Of
a plane travelling at better than 100
miles per hour and would constitute
not only serious physical danger, but
an even more distressing mental hazard
to pilots seeking their way into the air.
port. 1t has been pointed out.
Tragedy Is Feared.
Collision between an airplane and
any part Of the columns would prob
ably result in the instant death Of
every person in the plane. In view of
the fact that some Pf the larger planes
coming into Waslslngton-H Hoover Air
port every day c1rrt as many as 81 per-
sons at a time. aviation people believe
there can be no justification for erec-
ton Of a potential source of danger
which might cost so heavy toll of
life
The pilots who are petitioning the
President believe that the columns
should be replaced by some lower form
Of architectural establishment or that
the erection OF the columns should be
delayed until suitable airport accCmmo-
dations can be provided at safe dis
tance from them.
The Washington Board of Trade
Aviation Committee, which has been
active in the fight against the columns
is to hold special meeting Tuesday
afternoon to discuss the next move in
Its campaign. Lawrence E. Williams
chairman of the committee; William P
MacCracken, jr.. former Assistant Sec
retary of Commerce for Aeronautics
tary Of the board, have been outstand-
Ing leaders in the campaign.
1t Is obvious that in view of the
advanced stage of the Columbia Island
project, some definite decision as to
the columns must be made soon. It is
a decision which may have a marked
influence on the future of air trans
portation, not only because Of its effect
on the local airport, but also because it
may establish a legal precedent gov
erning construction of possible OBJ
Structtons to air transportation in the
vicinity of hundreds of busy American
aviation centers.
Akron Goes Military.
The u. S. s. Akron, giant Navy
d1r1gible, Is entering the second phase
Of her existence as the worlds largest
aircraft She is going military. The
work Of installing the combat equip
ment, which will give the United
States its only strictly military air
Navy censorship. The u. S. S. Los
Angeles, surrendered German airship
which now ranks as perhaps the Oldest
atrShip still flying, is strictly a nom
military airship, under treaty terms
and has been used fer training pur-
poses only.
The Akron, when she has received
her military gear which will include
guns, fighting airplaneS, the necessary
gear for launching and taking aboard
the planes in flight, hangar equipment
for the fighting brood and similar
equipment, will be the only airship in
the world equipped for combat pur-
poses.
It is net planned to use the airship
for offensive purposes and her equip
rnent is designed with an eye toward
defense against hostile attack The
military function Of the Akron is tC
be long-range scouting for the fleet and
she will avoid, rather than seek, actual
fighting. Nevertheless. she is being
equipped to give the best possible ac-
count Of herself in action and will be
able to offer no mean defense.
The closest possible secrecy surrounds
the installation of military equipment
aboard the Akron Navy Cfficials vii
not discuss the details of what is being
done and, in fact, will do little more
than confirm the statement that the
installations are being made. The work
will 60 forward slowly and seVera
m-nths may elapse before the last oI
the military equipment is aboard.
In the meantime the Akron Will con-
tinue a program Of training flights
which will include the testing of such
military equipment as she may have
aboard Unexpected appearances OF
the big airship above the coastal States
are no longer cause for excitement
Lakehurst, where she attracts little more
attention than her smaller sister. the
Los Angeles.
Leaves United States Alone.
The decision of Great Britain to juni
its last large airship leaves the Unltac
States alone in the large military air
ship field, Germany being forbidden By
treaty terms to build or operate mill
tary aircraft.
The airplane hangar is located in the
bottom of the airshp hull between the
first two engine positions. The com
Y1artment is about 70 feet long by So
feet fee wide and l6 feet high and vii
house four or five 2irrlanes OF the siz(
designed for this purpose.
To provide for entrance and exit o
the planes, a T-shaped hatch 81 feet
wide by about 40 feet long has beer
provided. 1t is closed by folding anc
Sliding doors of fabric-covered duralu-
min framing.
AS 1t was necessary to break into the
hull construction to provide FOR thi:
opening, the strength was continued bl
heavy framing above the airplan'
hangar and this framing will carry thl
tracks and carriers from which the air
planes will be suspended and movec
about the hangar to their storage posi-
tions.
SO desirous was the Navy of safe
guarding the secrets of its airplan;
handling methods aboard the AkroI
that the manufacturers were required Il
deliver the ship with the hangar com
partment bare. The Navy will design
build and install the "trapeze or othe
device for landing and launching tn
airpianes, the stowage arrangement
and the additional equipment necessar
for the first operation Of fighting plane
from another aircraft.
Seven gun emplacements have bee
located so as to cover all angles of ap
proach and some of these rmplacement
S=in c1sry more than one gun. Flna