AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1923, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

Al 'TItAI.IAX AND N.Z. CAltl.E ASSOCIATION. U.S.A. PBOJECTS. NEW YORK, March 7. Bear Admiral Moffett, in a speech, said the United States Navy was now buidling a rigid dirigible utilising helium, which will make a tour of the. world .probably proceeding to the North m- South’ Bale for scientific purposes. The dirigible wiil embody the latest improvements in aeronautic siience. and be capable of long sustained voyages carrying heavy loads. Germany is building for the United States a similar craft. Admiral Moffett predicted the dirigible would ho a tremendous factor in future warfare, and a vital agency in National defence. He stressed the fact that aeronautics has prodticd a serious defence problem for the United States, in view of the nearness of foreign island possessions from the American main coast, notably West Indies. . Iho United States could easily bo subjected to bombing from these places as centres of operations. U.S.A. BAII.WAYS. WASHINGTON, March <i. The publication of a letter from President Harding to the Federated Simp. Crafts, New Jersey, has revealed that the President is disturbed at the continuance of a. strike by a large proportion of the railway-men who struck last .summer. An investigation brings the surprising estimate that 180,f)JB nu o arc still out throughout the country, or approximately 40 percent. In bis letter Mr Harding states that the continued failure of a settlement is largely responsible for the unfortunate condii ions of the railway movements m munv parts of the country, by winch coal' deliveries have been interrupted, causing wide suffering. President Harding adds:—“l do not find myself able to discern anv adequate question of principle which could justify the mmoritv interests involved in refusing to make settlements similar to those made by the majority.' A MER IC A N CO.M PLA I NT WASHINGTON, March (>. All- Hoover, in a .statement, said the Buhl- occupation was causing serious interference with Ainericaii eomnietei, although it may he due u> the eonlusiuii attending the occupation, i nthn than to the French Govcrnme.ua. police of obstruction. Score-, m impoii.ant American business groups particularly the drug and dye trades, an endeavouring to obtain an Ad.mmsti t - ti „„ protest against tbe ' re,. cl, methods iL the Ruhr. The State < M>| - lno „t is conducting cursory >n.iMi„.i tions. OIL OCTOPUS. WASHINGTON. March 0. The presidents of the Standard /Ml Companies operating ill the vanous States, answciing the La Folletto > ate Committee's charges lea bled on March H deny taliut any conihme exists i > control prices. Mr W. I- * ‘' il ' cl,. , j ivsidciii of the Standard <>>' (•„ in New Jersey) stated the nvad..(il'ilv „f industrial alcohol and other substitute motor luel- at model ati prices fixes a limit beyond which petrol cannot rise. Oil officials declare Senator La Follette’s findings arc based on wrong premises.