Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-17

Concluding a letter to the District
Commissioners regarding the proposed
airport for the District, James G..
Yaden, president Of the Federation OF
Citizens Associations. and chairman
of the Citizens Advisory Council. de-
clared: I'm my judgment a municipal
airport for the City Of Washington Is
purely municipal undertaking, and
fail to see where the Federal Gov.
eminent Is or should be interested in
1t at all from financial standpoint"
In conversation, Mr.. Yaden ex-
planned his point of view, which, he
said. probably represented the view Of
the organized citizens Of the District.
The District. said Mr.. Yaden, needs
and Is anxious to secure an airport,
and If the Federal Government will
contribute so per cent. or 40 per cent,
or any amount, toward its acquisition,
1t will be a fortunate thing for the
District. But whether or not Congress
contributes to the purchase Of the air.
port, the District should have one.
Mr.. Yaden used the term municipal
airport" and explained 1t by EN-.
phasizing his view that 1t would be
municipality owned, and municipality
controlled.
If the District government were able
to buy out of District money an air.
port, and operate 1t independently as
q municipal undertaking, 1t would be
the one and only thing. Of its kind
in town. A municipal undertaking
has a fetching sound. But in Wash
fngton there amt no sech animal"
Nor Is 1t possible, unless some radical
change Is made in the organic law, to
create such an animal as a munic.
ipally owned. municipality operated air.
port, swimming pool or anything else.
n X
One might be inclined to consider
the streets Of Washington as munic-
ipal property, although the title rests
In the name Of the United States Gov
eminent. One might be inclined to
consider the schools as municipal
property. for the title to school sites
and buildings rests in the name of the
District government. One might be
inclined to consider the connecting
links in the Rock Creek Park system,
bought entirely out Of District tax.
payers money, as municipal parks,
although the title in that case Is in
the name Of the United States Gov.
eminent. One might be inclined to
consider the swimming pools soon to
be built as a municipal undertaking,
Wv P0OAA~ 6OAA AAAlh0 CT"
roneously be termed "municipal" golf
links. But before the District can re.
pair or resurface it's streets, it must
go to Congress. Before the District
can paint a school building, 1t must
go to Congress. Before the District
can build or enlarge swimming pool,
it must go to Congress. Before the
District can pave "municip u" play.
ground with cement or sod It with
grass. 1t must go to Congress. The
National Geological Park is main.
tanned and policed and operated by the
Federal Government, although the
residents Of the District pay q share
OF the upkeep. Gallinger Hospital Is
known as a municipal hospital. but
before another doctor can be added to
the staff. before another wing can be
built. before the outside Of it can be
painted, Congress must consent.
Therefore. aside from the equitable
features involved, If the District paid
for an airport out Of its own funds,
with no help from the Federal Gov.
eminent, could this airport be known
as a municipal airport in any sense
OF the word? It might be polfced by
officers Of the municipal police force
and 1t might be governed by the Dis.
trict Commissioners. But IL the grass
needed cutting, If the airdromes need.
ed painting, If a new Flagstaff was