Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-04
SITE ISPROPOSED
FOR CITY AIR PORT
Aeronautic Body Asks Area
West of Anacostia River
Be Given for Purpose.

Formal suggestion that the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion set aside for future development
as the District of Columbia air port
that area south of Benning road
bounded on the east by the Anacostia
River and the west by Twenty-hrst
street northeast was made today 70
Mai. II. S. Grant, Sd, executive oti1-
Ger of the commission, by tie air port
committee, District Chapter, National
Aeronautic Association,
The suggestion, in writing. followed
a personal interview with Maj. Grant
last Friday on the subject, at which
time the committee was told to place
the proposal in letter form In order
that it may be considered at the next
meeting of the commissions
Text of Letter to Grant.
The letter to Maj. Grant and the
commission follows:
Preference is made to the subject
of municipal air port recently as
cussed with you by committee repre-.
Eenting the Washington chapter OF
the National Aeronautlc Association
IAN about the country, cities have
cipal flving fields and already great
air transport net of nearly 10000 miles
is in actual operation OF scheduled
for operation within u few days. SIN
other thousands of miles or anyways
are to follow, of which one passes
through Washington on the way from
New York to Atlanta and Ne" or-
leans.
I'm view of the fact that Washing
ton is the seat of the Federal Govern
menr. and that the latte" has in me
last months assumed responsibility Tor
the encoura cement, development ana
regulation of civil fight, it is fe.t
that this city should not fall behind
in the matter of an airport. Unless
action is taken in the comparatively
near future, Washington Will flnd u
self without available space 70 serve
that volume of air traffic which may
reasonably be predicted.
Area Is Specified.
1T is respectfully suggested that
there be considered in connection with
park plans the ALLEGATION of that area
South of Benning road, between the
Anacostia River ana Twenty-flrSt
street northeast and extending south
to B street southeast, approximately,
including the necessary I'LL OF the
lower section of I<ingman Lake-un-
less there is another available site.
1T is obviously desirable 10 have
all airports as close 10 the center OF
population as possible IN order tnat
the fullest advantage may be taken
of air transport, and it is in view or
this that the committee is suggesting
this site.
1T is believed that the proposed
airport would fit in with the plans
for the Anacostia River Park project
and would in no way interfere with
the boulevard system.
"A we'll planned airdrome would be
not only of definite value 10 the city.
but would be a center of outdoor in
terest 1t will serve private flying
in the same manner as equestrian
trails, polo fields, golf courses and
the like now serve those other forms
of sport"
Members of the committee whose
signatures were attached TO the let
ter are w. r. Gregg of the Weather
Bureau, Allen NJ. Smythe OF the Ma
tional Capital Press and reserve
naval aviator; Arthur Halsted, Bureau
of Standards: John F. Victory, ma
tional advisory committee for aero
nautics, and Carl F. Schory, secre-
tary of the contest committee, Ma
tional Aeronautic Association.
Maj Grant said today the letter
will be placed before the commission
at it's meeting August II and that II
the members thought the airport
should eventually become a necessity
they would keep the Benning area or
any other plot of ground suitable for
the purpose in mind while carrying
out the park projects. The executive
officer could not or would not hest
tate to forecast the action of the COM
mittee, but his own attitude on the
proposal was taken to be very
favorable.