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Show UfilTED STATES TO ill BIG 1I1FI Matter Discussed at Conference Confer-ence Between Naval Chief and Manufacturers. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. Promise of co-operation with the government in its efforts to develop Zeppelin type aircraft air-craft for the army and navy was made by leading American aeroplane aud rubber rub-ber niaaui acuirers at a coiuerence here today with Hear Admiral Lhnid V. Taylor, Tay-lor, chid' constructor of the navy and head of the joint ariny-uavy boatd investigating in-vestigating the dirigible prubJem. A preliminary pre-liminary survey oi the materials and plants available was boun, and the manufacturers expressed belief that big nircrart similar to the German machines could be turned out. It is regarded as probable that sonic method of centralizing the work will be necessary so that the facilities of all plants which can aid can be utilized. No definite plans were made? however, at today's preliminary discussion. Representatives of the Connecticut Aircraft company, the Curtiss Aeroplane company, and the Goodyear, Goodrich, and United States Kubbcr companies were present. They united in offering to the government every aid in their I power in its campaign for adequate na- , tional defense. Officials view the Zeppelin problem more as a commercial than a scientific one? With funds available and the cooperation co-operation of the plants they appear to feel confident of their ability to construct con-struct shins that could duplicate the performances per-formances of the German craft in durability dura-bility and length, of flight. Much information has been received from England and elsewhere as to the nature ot the Zeppelins brought down during the present war. Fragments of the frame of one destroyed near London have reached the navy department, showing the peculiar trussed girder construction con-struction of an aluminum alloy to reduce weight and yet secure rigidity. Some of the German craft are said . to attain upwards of 1000 horsepower. ; furnished by gasoline motors. Since ' American automobile manufacturers have made rapid progress recently in reducing engine weight without reducing reduc-ing power, no fears are expressed that the efficiency of the German engines can be equalled. The only dirigible craft for which the navy has contracted is a small semirigid semi-rigid machine for school purposes. Jt still is to be delivered to the aviation school at Pensacola. |