When asked to cooperate in a New York-Chicago airship line, the Zeppelin organization has consistently pointed out the many problems to be met. Their preliminary survey shows that they can maintain a twelve hour schedule, with almost 100% regularity in summer, from 80 to 90% in winter, or an average yearly performance of from 93 to 96%. Many Engineering Problems Solved In addition, the Zeppelin organization supports its conclusion with a fund of engineering data. Considerable research work has resulted in solving many problems including passenger accommodations and the structure of larger airships, improvement of the gasoline engine, the steam turbine and the Diesel engine. They have provided for the safety of gas containers, eliminating fire and lightning risk, even producing a nitrogen mantle. Gearings, reversible propellers and modern methods of ballast recovery have been perfected or improved. Various devices for launching ships, rotary sheds accommodating two giant Zeppelins yet revolving under light power from electric motors, and many other docking facilities are primarily of Zeppelin origin. Zeppelin has also improved methods for fabricating all-metal commercial planes. Zeppelin Now Aims to Increase Efficiency [PLATE 58: The “DELAG” Passenger Zeppelin “Bodensee.” View of Brandenburger Gate—Berlin in Winter. The “DELAG” Passenger Zeppelin “Bodensee.” View of Berlin in Winter.] Many of the problems in commercial airship operations or design will be solved shortly after actual operations are started. The aim of Zeppelin engineers has been to increase the efficiency of the airship as it has been proven that the financial returns from airship transport are, or should be, proportionately increased by the use of larger ships. The Zeppelin efforts, therefore, is to secure greater efficiency which will allow better financial returns with smaller units and less expense. Commercial Operations Data Compiled While this has been one of the principal objectives of the engineering branch, the operating staffs have developed new methods of handling the big ships commercially; improved organizations, and methods and apparatus for making coast and geodetic surveys by airship, forest fire patrol, and scientific explorations. Their investigations of weather and technical conditions have extended throughout the world; one of the principal surveys of proposed routes being between Spain and Buenos Aires, in which it was learned that a normal schedule can be maintained regularly with ninety-six hours allotted for non-stop flights between the two terminals. The Public will Accept Airship Transportation Here as Abroad