The Washington times., 1937-05-20
MARITIME UNIT
MAPS POLICY
ON A|RSH|PS
BY EARL GOODWIN

BY EAkL GODWAN
Whatever may be the outcome
Of the investigation into the cause
Of the Hindenburg disaster, Chair
man Joseph Kennedy, Of the Mari
time Commission, intends to send
to Congress within the near fu-
ture information and recommen-
dationS on which will rest the Gov
ernment's policy with respect to
substituting the building and oper-
alton Of commercial transocean1c
air liners.
This statement was made by
Chairman Kennedy today.
Mr.. Kennedy has appointed
Grover Looming, an official Of the
commission with background OF
aeronautical and navigation ex-
perience, as head Of department
Of aeronautics within the commits
sion.
Attends Hearing
Mr.. Looming is now an inter
ested attendant at the sessions OF
the official inquiry into the causes
of the Hindenburg's disaster now
being held at Lakehurst, N. j., the
scene of the mysterious explosion
and fire.
Out of the facts produced at the
inquiry the Maritime Commission
expects to be in position to arrive
at certain conclusions necessary to
formulating a national govern
mental transoceanic airline policy
The Maritime Commission is di,
rected by law to examine the facts
and status of the commercial
transoceanic air line business; to
determine exactly what the com
mission can do with respect to air
ships; whether or not loans OF
subsidies should be or can be
granted to commercial companies
launched to carry on such business
After the commission determines
the facts Congress outlines the
policy.
At least one commercial com.
pany for the building and opera.
ton Of two large Zeppelin type
ships has been organized and is
anxiously awaiting the Govern
ment's policy of subsidy, loans, or
mail contracts. It is understood
that this concern has employed a
close associate of Commodore
Eckener to be a technical executive
in the building and operating OF
large nghter-than-air craft.
Hybla Valley Site
The American end of this pro
posed fleet is presumed to be the
fields in Hybla Valley, near Alex
andria, Va. It will be recalled that
Commodore Eckener inspected that
site and apparently thought well
of it. The German end Of the
line was to have been at Frankfort
Or1-Mai1. 20 @~h
Although Government officials
have sealed their lips on any ex.
preston as to whether the United
States will lend, sell or lease helium
for foreign commercial use, it is
claimed in commercial circles that
there was a tentative agreement
to permit the use of American
helium in the German lighter.
than-air craft which would have
been a part Of the proposed fleet.
If that agreement was ever made
even tentatively, it does not seem
to have any status at all today and
the subject will have to be re-
opened later.
In the negotiations leading up
to the proposals for a German
American transatlantic line, it is
understood the Germans at one
time proposed to fill the lower
portions Of the huge envelope
with helium; the upper portions
with hydrogen. This it is ex-
planned, would have the effect
of placing the non-inflammable
helium in cells near and over
the engines and working parts
and keep the hydrogen away
from sparks, etc. This, it is
claimed, the American represen.
tatives would not agree to.