Rex

What they said: James J. Walker (boarding the brand new 54,000-ton Rex, "Largest Ship Built Since The War," at Genoa): "If I were Mayor. New York would give this ship a grand show on her arrival--with fire boats and all the trimmings New York loves!" Captain Francisco Tarabotto (while Citizen Walker rushed back to his hotel for some left-behind papers'): "I will not wait one minute after twelve o'clock noon!" Five thousand Italians (standing at Fascist salute on Genoa piers as the Rex sailed with Citizen Walker aboard at the last minute): "Viva Italia!" U. S. Ambassador to Italy John Work Garrett (a passenger) : "The ship is magnificent--so luxurious, spacious and comfortable!" Ginlio Gatti-Casazza: "I am sure all Italian people are proud of the creation of their skilled and artistic countrymen. Every part of the Rex was made in Italy!"'

Captain Tarabotto (as the Rex headed for Nice at a 25-knot clip): "The Rex averaged 28 knots for three days on her trials [TIME, Sept. 19] and made a knot more at intervals. The engines have not developed their full power yet."

Several Italian-anti-Fascists (kept back from the Rex at Nice by vigilant French police who feared a bomb plot): "Abbasso Fascismo! Down with Fascism! Abbasso Mussolini!"

John Jacob Astor Jr. (as the Rex left Nice three hours behind schedule, carrying a French shipment of $1,000,000 in bonds): "Nice weather."

Captain Tarabotto (while lights flickered, grating noises were heard and the Rex slowed down to bare steering way. creeping past Malaga): "The trouble has nothing to do with the main engines. It has to do with one of the turbodynamos which supply current for lighting, ventila- tion and cooking."

Gatti-Casazza (as a British repair crew came aboard at Gibraltar): "I am not going ashore. Gibraltar has not changed in 50 years. I was once here as a naval cadet."

Scores of Passengers (after fuming aboard the Rex at Gibraltar for three days): "Why isn't the purser in his office? . . . Why can't anybody find the Captain? . . . They said yesterday afternoon that we should positively sail during the night!"

Bishop John Mark Gannon of Erie, Pa. (transferring with 30 other passengers from the Rex to the Vulcania, also of the Italian Lines): "I leave the Rex reluctantly. The only reason for my leaving is that I was unable to see the captain, the purser or any person who could give me reliable information about her departure. I had to have some definite idea of the date I am to arrive home."

Citizen Walker (in pajamas, dashing off a radiogram to // Duce ) : VOL'R EXCELLENCY I AM COMPELLED TO LEAVE THE REX TO SERVE SOME PERSONAL OBLIGATIONS [see p. 10] BUT I DO SO WITH A FEELING OF GREAT ADMIRATION FOR AND COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN THE REX AND HER CREW.

Surveyor W. J. Ma thews of Lloyds: "Two of the Rex's three turbodynamos were ready early this morning and the third was put in operation about 6 a. m. only to break down again."

Commander Carlo Pfister (an Italian Lines official): "When Mr. Walker was about to leave he asked me for a special tender, so that he could leave quietly. We held it in readiness for 40 minutes while the ex-Mayor made several farewell addresses to newspapermen, photographers and passengers.

" 'You know I hate this publicity.' Mr. Walker said to me. I replied, 'Come with me to the special tender.'

"Instead he went ashore on the regular tender with the photographers and several enthusiastic passengers. He left with all the eclat he said he wished to avoid. Strange, very strange."

Captain Tarabotto (in a radiogram to Benito Mussolini, after the Rex had left Gibraltar at 1150 a.m. and was well on her way toward Manhattan with all but 75 of her original passengers aboard, including Harold Stirling Yanderbilt) : . . . ALL IS WELL WE ARE AVERAGING TWENTY-FOUR AND ONE HALF KNOTS. . . .

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