Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-22
Would Fit i'm With Park.

IAN elaborate and extensive parking
system is soon to be begun along the
Anacostia River north of Benning
Bridge. 1t is expected that this park
way viii affect and influence our
whole region, and this again brings
before us the question of disposal of
the property TO be in keeping with
the adjoining park. It is our idea
that an airport on this property would
fit it nicely with the proposed Ana
costa boulevard SYSTEM as we point
ed out in the letter to Maj. Grant on
August II. An airport is essentially
a great open level area with a sod,
and is therefore in the nature of
park.
IAN airport is q modern public util-
ity and we do not feel that the peo-
pies money should be expended for
anything less than the best that is to
be had in it's class. AS a municipal
enterprise it's benefits and business
should be distributed primarily to our
| own people-the people of Washing
ton. For example, we think that our
city traction companies and our local
| filling stations are entitled to any bust.
ness attracted by a city airport. To
| establish an airport outside the terri
| torial boundaries of the city would be
| to distribute large part of the &C
cruing business to people who have no
! considerable part in its finance or es-
Establishment. We cannot look with any
favor on the suggestion that great
| sum of District funds be spent on an
/ airport project on the Virginia side of
the Potomac River 1t is not apparent
| to us how this could be a municipal
enterprise, nor do we believe that the
! greatest benefits could be derived by
| the city from an airport in Virginia.
Urged for Economy.
| 'Tt is our understanding that this
committee, among other things, is to
determine whether or not the estab-
! lishment of a municipal airport is in
! line with the Presidents economy and
financial program Certainly it would
seem TO be economy to prepare for
our future needs and at this time to
purchase ground for an air terminal
while it may be had within reason. 1t
is not economy, however, to needlessly
spend money on an involved en-
cheering project when land is avail
able in greater area and can be had
at less cost"
! The brief referred to the Hunter
Gravelly Point site, opposite Hams
Point, which bears the Endorsement
of the District Chapter. National
| Aeronautfc Association. Before this
site could become available for use
as an airport an area about 1000
feet wide and $500 feet long would
| have to be filled in.
| Other speakers in favor of the
Benning site were DR.. George G.
Havenner, of the citizens advisory
council, J. Edward Cassidy, Joseph
Randall, and William G. Schaffler, jr.
Arthur E. Nesbitt, of the Fairchild
| Aerial Camera Co. stressed the need
of an airport and z. G. Purdy Of the
Congress Heights Association spoke
for the site south of Boiling Field.
Members of the Public Utilities Com
mission are: Clayton E. Eming, act
ing chairman; j. ID. Battle, E. j.
Brennan, ]. G.. Hefty, FL. G. Kimball,
Fl. NJ. Frampton, George r. Mitchell,
David Babp, Rear Admiral Joseph
Strauss, II. CO Spencer and w. G..
Hoyt. Maj. Emig, at the conclusion
of the meeting, announced that an
other hearing on the airport probably
would be held.