The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-13
Court to Convene Within
Three Days to Probe
0irigibIe Crash.
FUTURE is UNCERTAIN
Lighter Than-Air Craft May
Be Doomed, Capital
Reports.
ByFHifcd Pres,

WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.
The Navy today called a
naval court of inquiry to con-
vene within two or three
lays to investigate The Macon
rash and probably decide the
fate of future lighter-than-
air dirigibles.
The court of inquiry was an
nOUnced by Rear Admiral Ernest
T J. King. chief of naval aueronautics,
high Navy officers and congress
sional spokesman had Joined in ex-
pressions of opinion that appeared
/ to seal the doom of further diri-
/ gibles. at least for the present.
Claude Swanson, Secretary of
F the Navy. said the Navy had not
made I'D its mind" as to future
dirigibles. but political out that he
had never recommended construc-
ton of one since becoming secre-
tary and still had to be convinced
of their practicality.
Admiral King said the formal call
for the court to sit would be given
Admiral Joseph M Reeves, COM
mander-in-chief OF the United
States fleet, probably as soon as the
feet reaches San Francisco.
Survivors to Testify
The court is expected to sit aboard
one of the ships of the feet and
hear testimony from survivors of
the crash.
President Roosevelt said he had
no thought Of asking Congress for
/ funds to replace the Macon ana
| that even If funds we're available he
would prefer spending the money
for so long-range scouting planes
rather than a dirigible.
The Chief Executive expressed
/ his sorrow over the loss of the giant
\ aircraft. His statement was taken
I to indicate that while the door was
not closed to further dirigible eX-
I Fermentation. there was little pros
pect of it at present.
Mr.. Roosevelt said that he was
making no request to Congress for
7 funds TO construct a dirigible for
/ commercial use as was recon-
mended in the report of the Federal
I Aviation Commission.
The Presidents attitude was sec
onded by virtually all House and
Senate Spokesman although several
\ felt that fuller reports of the &C
T cident should be received before
any definite decision.
Future Is Uncertain
Within the Navy itself. there was
f known to be 4 large amount OF
sentiment against new large eX-
I penditures for lighter-than-air craft.
Admiral King. refused to discuss
I future naval policy on dirigibles.
I am not prepared to answer
questions Of future policy" he said.
until We know what happened. 1t
/ is entirely too soon to forecast"
Admiral Kings statement followed
a secret two-hour conference be-
/ tween Secretary Swanson and
officers of the high command to
/ discuss the crash. Great excitement
and controversy over the question of
T abandoning dirigibles was evident IN
naval circles.
+ Praising Lieut.. Commander Wiley,
the Macon'S skipper, Admiral King
said:
1t might nave been whole lot
worse than it was. Commander
Wiley could not have landed the
ship and better and the results
speak for themselves. The handling
of the ship and the discipline of
those aboard was almost beyond
praise"
Admiral King asserted that regu-
lations require the court Of inquiry
10 consist of three naval officers
and an advocate general.