Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-22

regarding the terms, still favor the
municipal airport"
AT last nights meeting the advisory
council also reviewed the report of
the public utilities committee submit
TED to the Federation of Citizens AS.
soclations on May z by Maj. Clayton
r.. Emlg, which was unanimously an.
proved by the federation at that time.
In view Of these hearings and the in
vestigations conducted by Maj. Covell,
the council did not deem it necessary
to conduct any exhaustive inquiry at
this time, since the two reports were
agreed on the qualifications of Gravel
ly Point.
Immediate Action Favored.
In the report submitted to the Dis.
trict Commissioners today the council
states in part as follows:
Practically the only difference be-
tween the two reports in the discus
sion of sites for the airport arises
from the availability of Boiling Field
for temporary use of mail planes,
which has developed since the Emig
report was made. This report, like
the Covell report, emphasizes the i'm
portance Of making some immediate
provision Of airport service, and while
it favored the Benning tract as capa.
BILE of meeting this need most
promptly and at least expense for i'm.
mediate use, it recommended, never
theless. that steps be taken to develop
the Gravelly Point area so that thus
IN the near future an ideal airport
may be established at Washington
for all land, sea or lighter.than air
ships. The availability of Boiling Field
for temporary use obviates any neces.
slty for providing temporary facilities
elsewhere at large expense,
Concurs With Coveu.
The council is strongly impressed
by the excellent presentation of the
subject made by Maj. Covell, and II
concurs generally in the views ex-
pressed by him. In addition to the ad.
vantages Of the Gravelly Point site
specified in the two reports. the conn.
ca considers it worthy of note that
che adoption of this site avoids the OBJ
Jectlonable reduction of taxable area
tLat would result from the purchase
VI SITE at Benning or Giesboro Point
Inc Tune required to create an air.
poIL dt GraVelly Point at moderate
eApehse Is doubtless it's principal dis.
advantage, but the council believes
tnat the public ownership of most of
TINS site, and the unique opportunitv
II aHords for complete development
auequate Tor all purposes, together
WIN the distribution of the financial
purden over several years without seri.
GUS embarrassment to other District
Dudgetary needs, and the possihilitv
or combining this work with other
district and Federal operations. az
Well as the favorable technical fea.
lures or this location, far Outweigh
any minor disadvantages it may offer
Needed by Government.
While the airport is essential for
municipal purposes, it is even rnora
necessary 10 serve the rapidly grow.
LilS needs OF the Federal Government
lor speedy communication, and the
council believes that Federal funds
should bear at least one.haIf tho noat
OF providing the field, as contemnla tod
In the form Of legislation proposed nv
Maj. Covell. ~
The council recommends that the
Graveiiy Point site be adopted for
the municipal airport, and that an.
propriate steps be taken to carry this
decision into effect. as proposed by
Maj. Covell."
Robert Strobel was instructed to
prepare letter Of appreciation to
Maj. Edwin B. Hesse, superintendent
OF police, for the use of the harbor
precinct launch by council members
for inspection Of the various water
sites.
Maj. Covell was entirely satisfied
| with the report of the Advisory Coun.
Gil. which upholds practically every
point IN MS investigation. which GOV.
cred half a dozen sites in the vicinity
| or Washington. When the District
Commissioners formally approve the
recommendations he will advise the
| War Department that the Distric!
| government is ready to carry out the
| conditions imposed to secure Boiling
| Field as landing place for mail
planes on the New YorleaAtlanta
! route which service is exp9sted to
stAst about November !.
II