The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-01-17
Aero Club Reviews History
of City Airdrome Campaign

The following statement WINS in'
sued by the Aero club of the North
west:
1T has come to tho attention OF
this organization that Il has been
claimed that tho proposed bond Issue
Tor 100000 20 provide municipal
airdrome ins prompted by selfish
purpose and solriy in the furtherance
OF real estate owners, young aviator
enthusiasts. and "a no.callcd high
brow element OF the Seattle Chamber
OF Commerce"
we so sincerely believe that sc.
attlc will he making a grave error in
turning down this issue. that we feel
it a duty Ia issue this statement Of
facts In review OF the entire landing
field project
go many inquiries were received
from the East and other points that
Mayor Hanson finally called In CON
ference a committee Of Seattle bust.
ness men TO consider this problem Of
"A landing field. out OF this commit.
tee Mr.. 4. !. Rhodes was appointed
chairman OF a general investigating
committee. lle. " turn. appointed
Mr. David Whitoomb as chairman Of
a sub COMMITTEES. TO personally investi.
gate sites submitted for their eonsld
Grafton, This subcommittee was
comprised Of Mr. Whitcomh Mr. II.
l., I.ambuth. president OF tho Seattle
Real Estate association. and Mr. \.
v. W. Peters. who represented the
Seattle Flyers club
This was number OF months
ago, Their report. recommending
three different sites as being the
ogly ones practicable. was handed TO
the mayor.
The next step was tho proposal
OF q bond Issue OF $500. 900 by Major
John T.. Carroll OF the city council.
This figure was arrived az hy Mr..
Carroll solely ON his own judgment,
In other words. we had no original
part In fostering this bond issue and
fun credit must be given 10 Major
Carroll Major Carroll held several
public hearings on the bond issue
and with san Francisco and poftla nd
starting active campaigns fer trans
continental mail services. after pro.
viding landing fields. the importance
OF tho bond issuc'bocame so vital TO
tho interests OF Seattle that this
club made representations 10 the
Seattle Chamber OF Commerce which
gained their fuil support for the
measure. Following a public hear.
ing before the city council. before
which IL large delegation from the
Aero Club Il tho Northwest. lnelud.
ms Mr. Reginald a. Parsons. Mr.. W
y. Hoclng and AIR c. ~. Bsbb. and
committee from the Chamber %
Commerce. headed BY Mr.. worrali
Wilson. Afr. q -. Trcfnper. Mr..
Joseph Blcthen and Mr. Piiny l..
Allen. tho Aero Club Of the Norih.
west was asked TO make a report on
building costs for an airdrome.
Committee Named
with tho cooperation Of the Cham.
Der ~ Cofnmercr. the following CON.
mitt.e was called together. Assist.
ant city Engineer Tiesfeman. Mr
Claire E.vcdt. chief engineer 81 the
noclnE Airpianr company. Mr.. u +.
Lamhuth a. the Seattle Real Estate
association. Mr.. A. y. Younger. civic
bureau. Chamber of Commerce. and
Mr. - T. white. Mr.. 4. V. W. Peters
aud Mr. Teei Williams. avlatoru. Sub.
committees. headed by Mr. TIedman
and Mr. f.ambuth and by Mr. Ia.
vcdi. Mr.. Peters and SIR. White. were
appointed 20 determine real estate
vaiuew. engineering construction coats
and building costs. These costs were
complied In a final report with the
assistance OF the city building depart.
meut and the city engineering. de.
partnent and submitted to the city
council committee. The total figure