Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-08
C0VELL PREPARES
AIRPORT FIGURES
Hopes to Work Out Plan for
Field to Cost Little Over
100000.

Mai. w. E. r. Covell, assistant
District Engineer Commissioner in
charge of local airport matters, an
nounced today that he would submit
to the joint committee of Washing
toms three trade bodies next Monday
the estimates of United States Engi-
neers on the cost of constructing a
permanent airport at the Gravelly
Point site.
1t is upon these estimates that Maj
CoveIl hopes to work out with the
District Commissioners and repre-
sentatives of the city's business in
terests a definite plan to incorporate
in this years budget appropriation
estimates to carry through the airport
project.
Lieut.. Duke to Aid.
Lieut.. Donald Duke, chief of Army
airways. returned to duty today and
will assist Maj. Covell in the prepara-
ton of the estimates and the report on
the airport situation which the latter
is preparing for the District Commits
sioners. 1t is Maj. COvellS opinion
that the estimated cost of the work
necessary at Gravelly Point should
not exceed $3.50 900 annually or should
be held to 100000 If an increase In
District taxes is to be avoided.
Enhancing of the airport is the
most important thing to be consid-
ered," Maj. Covell said, "and the re-
port will emphasize the benefits the
Government will get out of it. This
will be followed by recommendation
that the Government, since 1T IS so
essentially interested in the establish
ment of an airport in the Capital,
sh lid pay large part of the expense
of establishing one"
BY waiting 90 years, Maj. Covell
explained that the cost of filling in
Gravelly Point would be reduced more
than two-thirds, but the time element
is so vital that the estimates will be
based on periods ranging up to five
years in which to complete the work.
100000 Is Limit.
"The que lion to be determined is
how much extra the District can af-
ford to pay for completing the work in
reasonable time," Maj Covell said.
He pointed out that it would be i'm
possible to expect the District Com
missioners to agree to any project
that would burden the District bud
get with a 100000 or even $250,0O0
estimate.
He has fixed 100000 as an absolute
limit on which to prepare his esti-
mates and explained that he is under
taking to work out a scheme whereby
the cost would exceed 100000 as lit
tie as possible.
The joint industrial council Of the
Board Of Trade, Chamber of Com
merce and Merchants and Manufac.
turers' Association met today to sur
vey the industrial outlook here. 1t
was expected that some consideration
would be given to the airport from
an industrial viewpoint.
Maj. Covell is not disturbed over
the possibility of Virginia, at some
future time, claiming the Gravelly
Point site as part of it's territory. The
title to Occoquan, the District work
house in Virginia, is held by the Fed.
eral Government, so the District pays
no taxes on this property to the State
of Virginia. In Maj. Covell's opinion
the District Supreme Court has def
initely determined the title of Dis.
trict-claimed land on the Virginia
side Of the Potomac. Meanwhile the
general counsel of the three trade
bodies will look into the legal aspects
of the question so as to avoid any
possible dispute in connection with
the title to reclaimed land at Gravelly
Point.
Haste Held Necessary.
Since the Department of Commerce
has announced that operations on the
New York o-Atlanta air mail route
cannot possibly begin before Novem-
Der /. there is no immediate need Of
haste in working out an agreement
on the local airport project. Even
should it take twa years to make
Point ready for the landing
of planes, it was believed today that
the War Department would consent
TO the use Of Boiling Field for that
period.
Delay in the opening of the air
mail route was said to be due to
the necessity Of installing lighting
devices along the airway after COM
pletion of the survey, which will not
be finished before September /.
Necessarily. contracts for beacon
lights. water towers and other struc-
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