Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-13
DISTRICT AIRPORT
URGED BY z BILLS
Gasque and Stalker Expect.
ed to Offer Measures in
House This Week.

Congress will be asked this week
to consider two proposals for the
establishment of a municipal airport
for the District of Columbia.
Two bills, according to indications
last night. are to be presented to
the House by Representatives
Gasque, Democrat. of South Caro-
York, both members of the District
committee.
The bill by Representative GasQue
will call for the purchase of 189
acres of ground near the old Benning
race track and the erection thereon
of a model airport, all at cost of
about 100000, exclusive of mainte-
nance.
The bill by Representative Stalker
will provide for the filling In of an
underwater area between Hunter
and Gravelly Point, on the Virginia
side Of the Potomac just below
Hams Point, to a size of 100 acres
and the erection of a model airport
thereon at total cost Of about $740,-
600. including maintenance for one
year.
The Gasque bill is supported by the
Benning. Kenilworth and Anacostia
Citizens Associations, while the
Stalker bill bears the Endorsement of
,
National Aeronautic Association.
that an opening wedge on this ques-
ton will be obtained before the ses-
sion is concluded.
The Benning site has frontage of
about 1900 feet along Kenilworth
avenue and extends back as far as
the condemnation line of the Ana
costa River Park project. The citi-
Zens of that community have &C
cepted the volunteered services Of j.
Edward Cassidy. director general Of
the United States Air Force Associa-
ton, who has assisted them in draw
ing up plans for the port.
The Virginia shore film site would
be about 1000 feet wide, with q front.
age along the water of $500 feet. The
land for this area, according to the
Office of Maj. Brehon H. Somervelle,
United States engineer, which unof-
flcially has assisted the associations
chapter in the preparation of data for
the bill, would be taken from the river
along Potomac Park and would be
deposited to height Of 10 feet above
the mean level Of the water. The cost
would deal entirely with dredging oper-
atoms, and once the area is filled in 1t
would become the property Of the
Government, which in turn could cede
it to the District for the port.
Kite Owns Benning Site.
The Benning site is owned by Harry
Kite, local realtor, and. according to
John s. Driggers. president OF the
Kenilworth Citizens Association, he
was willing to dispose Of the property
several months ago at $4,000 an acre.
The bill to be presented by Mr.. GasQue
calls for the purchase Of the ground at
that figure.
According to interested citizens in
that vicinity, sit was rumored about
a year ago" that Mr.. Kite planned to
open up a development for colored
people on the site. For the purpose of
"forestalling that" and also Ito give
the Capital a municipal airport in six
months or So" Mr.. Driggers said, the
residents of that area would back the
project to the limit of their ability.
AS the ground is virtually fiat, no
grading work is necessary to put the
field into shape for aircraft and only
a little grubbing would have to be
done to rid the area of small trees
and bushes, it is said.
Under the airport plan drawn up by
Cassidy, six hangers would be erected
along Keniworth avenue and four
runways would be laid down. De-
tailed plans for the construction Of the
port on the filled-in territory, if it is
provided, have not yet been announced
by the District chapter beyond the
statement that, with its availability
for land and seaplanes, it offers the
opportunity of being the finest airport
in the world.