The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-06

both countries. The two companleS -Lindbergh's and Imperial Airways already have established an ocean air line between the United States and Bermuda.
 Alternative Routes
 Two alternative air routes between the American continent and Europe were surveyed closely by planes of both lines during the summer, and the plans have reached the stage 0i a working out of the final but high ly involved technical details.
 It was believed generally that the chief purpose of Lindbergh'S visit was to work with Pan-American offi- cials over these plans. This, how ever, was not confirmed. Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy of the maritime commission recommended in Q re- cent report that the government subsidize the building and flying oi huge. transatlantic air lines, of the type that Pan-American is building for Atlantic service. Lindbergh'S ar- rival had barely become known when Rep. William I. Sirovich. D., N. r., ranking member of the house mer- chant marine committee, said that Lindbergh would be invited to ap- pear as an expert witness when the committee considers a bill to grant oceanic air line subsidies, beginning Wednesday.
 Various Reports
 There were various reports con- corning the length of Lindhergh's visit. One said they would return before Christmas. Another said they would return in January. All reports were equally speculative.
 In England, neighbors and asso- ciates of the Lindberghs were as- founded too. They didn't even know the Lindberghs had left. The residents of Weald, the Kent village where the Lindberghs have theil home, Long Barn." had paid so lit- tie attention to them that they were surprised to learn that the Lind- berghs had not been at home for l0 days. Servants at Long Barn, said: "The family is away and we do not know when they will be back"
 Outside of the immediate Morrow family, and presumably, Lindbergh's closest business associates, only one person knew in advance of their plans to return home. That person was Basil Harris, vice-president oi the United States Lines, who had arranged their secret sailing on the freighter, American Importer, on Dec. 9, 1885. Harris reserved two cabins on the President Harding with a connecting bath for "Mr. and Mrs. Gregory" The ship sailed on Nov. 27 and the Lindberghs motored to Southampton to board her instead of taking the boat train from Lon- don. Captain James E. Roberts had been told of their arrival only a short while before their appearance on the boat. Neither the name, of Lindbergh nor Gregory, was on the President Harding's passenger list.
 Wore Smoked Glasses
 Arriving at the ship, Lindbergh wore smoked glasses. No one recog- nized either him or his wife and they went at once to their suite on "A" deck. They did not appear again for over 24 hours and their meals were served to them in the suites living room. By that time, the ship was at sea.
 Captain Roberts told me to ask MT. and Mrs. Gregory to sit at his table when they wanted to come td the dining room" second Steward Charles Holldorb said. He pounded on the door. Mrs. Lindbergh, wear ing glasses, opened it, seemed con- fused, then smiled, asked him to please step in. Holldorb said he rec ognized Lindbergh at once, but, nevertheless, addressed him as MT. Gregory, whereupon Lindbergh smiled.
 Reveals Identity
 The following day, Sunday. the Lindberghs informed Holldorb that they would dine at the captains ta- ble that night. Holldorb asked: What name shall I say?"
 "Our own name, by all means" said Lindbergh.
 After the first surprise, the pas- sengers paid no undue attention to the Lindberghs, though several asked for autographs were politely refused Lindbergh gave autographs to other guests at the captains table-Cap- tain Julius A. Furer, assistant American Naval attache at London, Mrs. Furer, and the Rev. Dr. s. 0. Carpenter, dean of Exeter Cathedral Devonshire. who is here to lecture. On Deck Freely
 Thereafter, the Lindberghs ap- peared on deck freely, particularly early in the morning when Mrs. Lindbergh walked and Lindbergh did calesthenics and climbed rope on the promenade deck. They at- tended the ship concerts, took part in the customary festivities at the sea on Saturday night, but attended none of the dances. The President Harding carried 249 passengers, but only 65 were cabin class and hence had the opportunity of seeing the Lindberghs. He got on nodding terms with some, was affable but reserved with those he had met for mally at the captains table.
 Anxious To Get Back
 Harris said of his conversation with the Lindberghs:
 Both MT. and Mrs. Lindbergh were in very fine mood and were very anxious to get hack. Their main hope is that they will be left alone. He expressed the deepest re- gret at the loss of Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Nounan. He said she was a wonderful flyer and that Noonan was an ex .eptlonaIly capable navigator, so capable that it was hard to understand how they