Aeronautics: Bill of Health

As practically everyone expected, the House Naval Affairs Committee last week gave a clean bill of health to the U. S. S. Akron which it had investigated on charges of faulty construction (TIME, Feb. 8). Such flaws as had occurred were long ago corrected by Navy inspectors, the committee reported. As for the 18,000 lb. overweight, Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. had paid its penalty of $25,000.

Coincidentally Navy orders went to Commander Alger H. Dresel, lately commanding officer of the U. S. S. Los Angeles, to take command of the U. S. S. Akron, relieving Lieut. Commander Charles Emery Rosendahl. There was no ignominy for famed Commander Rosendahl in the transfer. Like all other Navy airship officers he must take his tour of sea duty (he will be aboard the battle flagship West Virginia) to qualify for promotion.

Meanwhile the House Committee on Interstate & Foreign Commerce concluded hearings on the Grosser bill which would provide mail subsidies for transatlantic airships. President Paul Weeks Litchfield of Goodyear-Zeppelin and his vice president Commander Jerome Clarke Hunsakcr told the committee that their corporation could have two ships ready within three years to begin weekly service of 2½ days per trip. Operating cost they estimated at $70,000 per trip; maximum mail revenue $63,000: maximum passenger load, 80 (at $750 fare).

With complete absence of fanfare, Capt. Ernst Lehmann announced the following spring schedule of flights for the Graf Zeppelin:

Southbound

(Departures 12:30 a. m.) Leave Arrive

Friedrichshafen Pernambuco

March 20 March 22

April 3 April 5

April 17 April 19

May 1 May 3

Northbound

Leave Arrive

Pernambuco Friedrichshafen

March 25 March 28

April 8 April 11

April 22 April 25

May 6 May 9