Evening star., 1932-05-10
STORMS THREATEN
AKRON OVER TEXAS
AirWays Officials Doubt if
Ship Will Be Able to
Reach EI PaSo.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
DALLAS, Tex, May 10-Doubt as to
whether the Akron would be able to
reach FL Paso today was expressed by
American Airways officials, after a sur
vey Of weather conditions in the stormy,
mountain area over which the giant
dirigible Is cruising.
A dangerous low ceiling apparently
prevailed over much of the rugged ter
rain east Of El PaSo. The Airways radio
station at Guadalupe reported ceiling
Of $500 feet. Nearly 800 miles away at
El Paso, a ceiling of the same height
was reported. ohscuring the mountain
tops.
Airways officials said the Davis Noun
tain section, over which the air cruiser
was last reported, ranges from 1000 to
1900 feet elevation. The Guadalupes
range from $500 to 5000.
"Pocketing' Feared.
It was believed that the dirigible
might be "pocketed" because of poor
visibility and storms. The forecast for
the extreme southwest Texas region was
for thundershowers most of today.
A report from Sanderson said the
Akron passed north of there about
$50 am. The ship was barely visible
in the distance because of cloudy,
foggy weather. Its course seemed to
be to the north.
Harassed by the elements last night
and early today in the region Of San
Angelo, the world largest airship was
thought to be heading to Randolph
Field, at San Antonio.
But this morning the American Air
ways radio station at Dallas and the
Department of Commerce station at
Fort Worth said they had established
direct contact with The Akron and
that it had passed over Dryden, Tex,
about S am. &c. S. r.. This coin
cided with the report of Southern
Pacific Railroad dispatcher in Los
Angeles that the craft passed over
Langtry, Tex, which is east OF Dry
den, an hour earlier.
Seen Over Sanderson.
Ell PASO, Tex, May 10 [P).-The
Fort Bliss Army wireless station here
was advised in message today from
Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Tex,
that the Akron was over Sanderson,
Tex. at $50 am. today (mountain
standard time). Sanderson is on the
Southern Pacific Railway. 312 miles east
of El Paso. 1t was believed the airship
way route into FL Paso and arrive here
about IL am. (mountain standard
time).
Weather Report Sought.
DALLAS, Tex, May 10 (P).-The
Akron sent radio message to Ameri-
can Airways Station KGUF, at Dallas,
asking for a report on weather condi-
tions between Fort Worth and El Paso.
-;n;h mould ctond hu of
9 20 am. &C. S. T) to receive a report.
Location of the giant air cruiser was
not mentioned.
American Airways had reports of
thunder showers and rain all the way
from Big Spring to Ell Paso. The cell
ing was only 300 feet above Guadalupe
Pass, across the mountain range east OF
Ell Paso. Ell Captain, in that range, has
an elevation of 5000 feet.
Ship Radios Washington.
The Nays big dirigible, U. S. S.
Akron, never intended to land IN Texas
due to weather conditions, Admiral Will
liam v. Pratt, chief OF naval operations,
announced today on the basis OF dis
patches from the ship. The Akron sent
this dispatch at Sis am, washington
time:
Because of severe thunderstorms, am
unable to establish radio communication
with any one but you. Present position.
approaching Dryden. Tex, with inten-
tion following Rio Grande Valley to Ell
Paso. Urgently require weather infor-
nation along Rio Grande from Del Rio
to Ell Paso"
The department said shortly before
noon that the Akron is proceeding to
Van Horn by way of Alpine and Maria.