Evening star., 1928-10-18
TRADE BODIES URGE
ZEPPELIN TERMINUS
Declare WaShinnton's Advan-
tages Make Eckener Sug-
gestion Sound.

Suggestion of Capt. Hugo Eckener
commander Of the Graf Zeppelin, that
Washington might be made the termi-
nus of the giant dirigible in its prof.
ected transatlantic commercial flights
brought forth hearty Endorsements to-
Gay from officials of local trade groups
all of who mhave been actively pro =
noting development of a permanent air
port here.
In addition to voicing approval of the
proposal. spokesmen for the trade
bodies indicated a movement would be
started formally to urge selection of
Washington as the American terminus
of the airship transportation line and
to place at the disposal OF the operators
of the Zeppelin liner information con-
corning the advantages of the Nation
al Capital.
DR.. Eckener made the suggestion after
his arrival at Lakehurst, N. j., that
either Washington or Baltimore might
be selected for the permanent terminus,
pointing out that the wind to bc ex-
pected at Lakehurst is too strong for
safe landings.
Cities Again Compete.
This suggestion again places Wash
lngton and Baltimore in direct compe-
ttion for the location of an air field
project. The two cities were in compe-
tition last year for selection as an
airport in the system used by companies
having air mail contracts, and this city
was awarded the stopping point, with
the understanding the local interests
would proceed at once with plans for
development of a permanent airport
Temporary use of Boiling Field was
granted by the War Department.
Local trade body officials TODAY
pointed to the advantages of Washing
ton as the Zeppelin terminal. strcssine
the fact that the climate here is not
one of wide variation in temperature
that high winds that might endanger
safety of the ship do not prevail here
and the fact that there is easy access
to the proposed Gravelly Point airport
and to Boiling Field. unobstructed by
high buildings or other interference.
The advantage of haviny the ter
minus in the American Capital, where
there is close contact with the Fed
eral Government agencies and officials
also was cited.
MOoring Tower Planned. :.
Lawrence Williams. chairman OF the
aviation committee of the Board oi
Trade declared that the location of the
Zeppelin terminal here would tie ir
nicely with plans for the development
of the Washington airport at Gravelly
Point
rlans for the Gravelly Point airport
he said, call for construction of just
such a mooring tower as would be
needed by the great air liner. He an
nounced plans to call his committee to-
gether shortly to consider means OF
promoting the airship terminus here.
w. w. Everett. president of the Board
of Trade, heartily indorsed the pro-
posal and declared he would recon-
mend any action by the trade body
that would further the proposition. Se-
lection of Washington as the terminal
for the airship, he said, would greatly
accelerate plans for the development
here of The greatest airport in the
country" The Board of Trade is ar
ranging to push plans for the airport
during the approaching session of Con-
gress. when bill providing for start
ing work on the Gravelly Point site will
be considered.
The Washington Chamber Of Com
/ merce will be glad to do anything In
its power to further this undertaking
1t was declared by Ivan C. Weld, cham
Der president.
Washington" he said. sis the logical
| location for the American terminus for
the proposed transatlantic Zeppelin
service. It is the heart of America
and offers ideal conditions for such a
terminus which would be of particular
Importance in expediting exchange OF
mail between the new and old worlds
There are no boat connections be-
tween Washington and Europe to COM
pete with such a service which would
meet the needs of innumerable persons
who would prefer TO land at this point.
"Sound Reasoning"
Dorsey w. Hyde, jr.. executive secre-
tary of the Chamber of Commerce. said
Capt Eckners proposal to make Wash
ington the terminal point for a Yep
pelin line between Germany and the
United States is based on sound rea-
soning. The climate of the upper Po-
tomac area is ideal for flying pur-
poses, furnishing the maximum number
of usable flying hours with minimum
of temperature extremes and with alb
Sence OF troublesome winds and air cor
rents. Washington also is a natural
point for the distribution OF incoming
mail. light freight and passengers by
air, rail or road to the various sections
of this country. There would seem to
/ be no other region on the Atlantic
seaboard offering parallel advantages
| Maj. Gen. Anton Stephan. president
of the Merchants and Manufacturers
| Association, declared that the proposed
| Zeppelin terminus would be of grea,
value to Washington and that the asso-
cia tim certain1v would heartily indorse
| the suggestion and work for its reali-
/ zation.
He pointed out that the Zeppelin air.
line probably would carry light rather
than heavy freight, which could be well
cared for here, and air mail and pas
sengers. who would find Washington
! convenient because of its good transpor-
tation connections with other sections
of the country.
LEASE ZEPPELIN FOR 2 YEARS.