28 JANUARY 1928, Page 18

THIS AIRSHIP BUSINESS

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—May I please make one or two observations in reference to your reviewer's remarks on my book ?

If R.100 or R.101 fail and lives are lost, we—the tax-payers —will be morally responsible through our accredited repre- sentatives,' the Air Ministry. These ships are being built with our money—not with Commander Burney's money— and to our order. I am sorry that your reviewer is unable to appreciate the detailed technical value of, my criticism, but I would remind him that if technical requirements are not satisfied these airships will certainly collapse. The last great airship built in this country cost us over forty valuable lives.

My book is a plea, made at some little expense on my

part, that before further lives are risked steps should be -taken to ascertain whether the Air Ministry have really Sound replies to the dozen or so points of criticism I have raised." I 'may be wrong. But if I should prove not to be -iirong, a serious pOsition will face those who have urged that my criticisms be ignored; Or else have calmly dubbed my case " not proven."—I- am, Sir, &c., E. F. SPANNER.

9 Billiter Square, Billiter Stied, London.