“There has been some criticism of the government for appropriating a part of the money necessary for the construction of the Goliath,” explained Andy. “This was especially true when it became known that the dirigible would eventually be used for transcontinental passenger traffic. What most people do not realize is that the Goliath will be a veritable airship of the skies, a craft that can be turned from a peace-time airship into an aerial battleship if the United States is ever attacked by an enemy force. With its enormous cruising radius of 15,000 miles without refueling it will be able to scout far from our own shores and uncover the approach of any enemy fleet.”
“Then the whole idea of the polar flight will be to popularize the Goliath with the general public,” said Bert.
“I expect that’s about how Dad’s figured it,” agreed Andy. “The trial flights will take us to a good many cities in various sections and as soon as people get a glimpse of the Goliath they’ll be glad Uncle Sam appropriated funds to help build it. Once they’ve seen the airship they’ll follow its polar flight with double interest and when the Goliath comes back from the north it will be a familiar name to everyone in the country.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” nodded Bert. “This country needs to be air-minded or foreign nations like Rubania, which have dictators ambitious to extend their powers, will put us on a shelf.”
The afternoon mail arrived and with it was a letter addressed to Andy and from the war department.
“Wonder what’s up now?” he mused as he silt open the envelope. He read the letter carefully for the war department communications were usually lengthy affairs which required careful scrutiny.
“We’re going to have company,” Andy told Bert when he finished. “The war department has granted permission for a dirigible expert from the Friedrichshafen works in Germany to come down here and study the general plans for the Goliath. He will probably remain until after the trial flights have been completed.”
“How about our construction secrets we’ve been guarding so closely?” asked Bert. “It doesn’t seem right that we should let this fellow have the run of the works.”
“We won’t exactly do that,” explained Andy, “for this letter outlines definitely just what information to which the Friedrichshafen man is to have access. Our own research department has had much help and advice from Dr. Hugo Eckener and his co-workers in Germany and it is only fair that we return the favor as long as we do not divulge any of the military secrets of the Goliath.”
“Wonder what kind of a fellow he’ll be?” asked Bert.