Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-16
AIRPORT PROGRAM
NOW TAKING SHAPE,
PUSHED BY COVELL
Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner Maps Tentative
Plans to Get Objective.
AGENCIES VOLUNTEER
ASSISTANCE IN PROJECT
Model Field for Nation Is Hope of
Major in Suggesting
Line Of Action.

to be put into operation IN August
between New York and Atlanta
unless some dependable assurance is
given that the landing field for the
air mail planes would be provided
here.
Mai. w. E. r. Covell, senior Assist
ant Engineer Commissioner, who has
been directed by the Board of Dis
trict Commissioners to co-ordlnste
the various agencies interested in t1e
project, already has mapped out
tentative program looking toward
the acquisition of site, while pri-
vate and governmental interests con-
cerned have voluntarily offered to
assist him in every way possible.
CovelPs Tentative Program.
Mai. Covells tentative program is
this:
/. Line up all possible locations,
keeping in mind that the airport
should be a model for the Nation.
2. List the advantages and diSad'
vantages of each, as to rental, or cost.
8. Get the best possible advice of
experts.
4. Get the unified support of all in
dividuals and organizations interested
in the project on the particular site
finally selected and then make definite
recommendations to the Commission
ers for it's acquisition, urging the
Commissioners to request Congress to
appropriate funds for it's purchase as
an item in the second deficiency ap-
preparation bills which probably will
be considered in December.
s. Make temporary arrangements
when the site is selected for its use
until an appropriation is provided for
the purchase or else get permission
temporary use of Boiling Field by the
air mail planes.
Although the Post Office Depart
ment has Indicated the abandoned
Benning race track for the site, Maj.
Covell intends to make a survey Of
every possible location in the Dis
trict and nearby. Among the sites
listed thus far, in addition to the old
Benning race track. are Giesboro
Point, Graveley Point, a 100-acre
track near the Episcopal Theological
Seminary on the Alexandria Lees
burgh turnpike in Virginia, the
Hoover Aviation Field and property
in Southwest Washington adjoining
the Washington Barracks.
The Graveley Point site, 1t was
ously as 1t will require considerable
filing in as well as take long period
of time, whereas it Is the opinion
of Maj. Covell that the landing field
should be acquired without delay.
The Hoover Field would be con-
venient, Maj. Covell points out. but
it is now too small to serve as an
airport. AS it adjoins the expert
mental farm of the Department OF
Agriculture, he thinks it might be
possible to acquire portion OF the
farm to enlarge the field. Moreover,
he explained, the Hoover Field prop
erty could be purchased cheaper per-
haps than the other suggested sites.
as some of it is now Government
owned. The owner Of the site in the
vicinitW of the Episcopal Theological
Seminary has offered to sell it for
5000, 900, while the Giesboro Point site,
it is estimated, would cost $750,00O.
Confers With McCracken.
Maj. Covell conferred today with
William P. McCracken, jr., Assistant
Secretary of Commerce in charge OF
aeronautics, concerning the location
of the proposed airport and he also
plans to hold similar conferences with
officials of the War, Navy and Post
Office Departments, as we'll as the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Mr.. McCracken, according to Maj.
Covell, appeared to be very enthusias-
tic over the renewal of the agitation
for the establishment of an airport and
the definite form 1t has taken and pre-
dicted that should it be established,
it would be used by at least 60 planes
a day shortly after it is opened.
While Maj. Covell has not made up
his mind definitely as to whether the
airport should be established by Fed
eral or municipal funds. he is inclined
at this time to favor the latter plan.
The District. he explained, will be re-
sponsible for the project, and for that
reason he thinks it should finance it.
In other cities, too, he said, where
municipal dirports are being establish
ed the funds of the municipality are
being used for this purpose.
Press Club Acts.
Attention of officials of the United
States Chamber of Commerce has
been drawn to suggestion by the
National Press Club that airports be
established in every city throughout
the United States and that the
Chamber of Commerce urge it's con-.
in their respective localities looking
to the establishment Of such fields.
The suggestion advanced by the
Press Club was authorized by a
motion passed by the board of gov
ernors at a meeting yesterday in line
with the plea of Col. Lindbergh. in
his speech before the club Saturday,
that airports be established in fur
therance Of the development of avia-
ton.
The aviation fields could be made
at the same time as soldier memorials,
it was pointed out, similar to the
memorial park which President
Coolidge dedicated at Hammond. Ind,
Tuesday. Creation of such memorials,
the communication to the Chamber
of Commerce stated, would be not
only of utilitarian value, but would
symbolize the services of those whose
life work has been devoted to the
progress Of aviation.