Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-01
COMPROMISE PLAN
TO ASSURE AIRPORT
e FOR CITY EXPECTED

Continued from First Page.)
up unless Congress undertakes to es-
tablish a Federal airport.
The attitude of the business leaders
was that Washington eventually will
have an airport and If one can be
obtained at cost of 100000 annually
over a period of 10 years the project
might not involve any increase in the
local tax rate.
Restricted to Air Mail.
The $35, 900 desired by the War De-
partment for construction of hangar
and equipment at Boiling Field. it
was declared, would be a contribution
from business interests from which
they would get no return.
Maj. Covell, in reply to queries, ad-
mitted that the War Department
would authorize only the handling
of air mail and that no guarantee
could be given under the Post Office
mail contract for service longer than
q year.
Furthermore, it was brought out, no
planes for commercial or passenger
service would be permitted to land At
Boiling Field. 1t would be a mail serv-
ice pure and simple, with the District
eminent reaping most of the benefit
from the service. That was the con-
tention of practically every repre-
sentative who spoke on the matter.
The business interests of Washing
ton, 1t was made plain, favor estab-
lishment of a nairport here at the
expense of the municipal government
If it could he shown that 1t would be a
good business investment. Representa-
tives OF the three trade bodies explain.
ed that they would give their moral
support to any airport project, but
for the present, at least. they could
not go on record as indorsing any
project to increase taxes unless as
Sured of an adequate financial return
from the investment
Presented to Committee.
Maj Covell presented the matter
equarely to the committee. I'VE
would all like to have an airport, "
he said, but it must be paid for.
am here to find out TO what extent
you are willing to go in supporting
the proposition with cash"
He explained that while it probably
would not be necessary TO put up any
money for hangers at Boiling Field. he
only wanted the $4,000 or $4,000 as
kind OF security of good faith.
f. c. Graham. chairman of the sub
committee representing the Board OF
Trade, reflected the sentiment of those
present when IA. said:
Il cannot conceive of Washington
being left Oft the air mail schedule in.
definitely. Undoubtedly it viii come
in time. But this is no time for us
to be Swaycd by enthusiasm or ideals
/ am sure 1t would not be possible to
fxrn faR- l,OS -
or other equipment for air mail. The
business interests of the city can't see
it as Il business proposition. We
don't need air mail that much. The
money we could raise now probably
would not do you much good"
Cost Pointed Out.
The cost of developing Gravelly
Point, Mai Covell explained, would be
$3.50, 900 or $4,000 900, depending or
the length of time devoted TO the work
ANY immediate project within the
year, he admitted, would cost 81 1000.
600, which undoubtedly would have tC
be met from higher taxes. Roughly
estimate he said a $4,000, 900 prof
ect would add about 6 cents per $10(
on the tax rate.
1t was agreed generally that flnanc
ing Of the project would take about
100000 annually, or. perhaps. a lit
tie less.
That was regarded as more than the
business interests believed an airport
would be worth to them. There was
some inclination to consider 100000
a year, which. it was believed. would
not hazard a higher tax rate.
The discussion ended abruptly when
Martin A. Leese, president of the
Chamber of Commerce. who presided
suggested that the whole question be
considered from every possible angle
by a*special joint committee. with q
view 10 making a report within IL
days or so. -.---.