Evening star., 1928-05-05
AIRPORT IS URGED
/ BY R|CKENBACKER
Capital Should Have Field
Like lie Bourget or Croydon,
War Ace Declares.

Washington should have an airport
comparable to that of lie Bourget or
Croydon it 1t is 70 keep pace with the
tremendous strides being made today
IN commercial aviation and is to hold
It's prominent place among the cities OF
the world, in the opinion of Capt Eddie
RickenbacSer, american ace,
Speaking last night at a banquet
meeting held in his honor al the May
flower Hotel by the aviation committee
of the Board Of Trade. Capt Ricken-
hacker declared that commercial ana
air mail service now in vogue juStifieS
DEVELOPMENT of a real airport here.
Few yealS more of progress, he predicted
would see the country Sprlnkleo with
modern airportS.
ewaShingtun is truly a wonderful
city" he said. but ii is pathetic that
the Nations Capital. The political hub
of the world. has not as yet a great
airport.
Noted FLYERS Attend.
Attending the meeting also as honor
raestS were Lester Maitland. United
States Hawaii flyer; Floyd Gibbons,
noted war correspondent: Lowell Hard
ing. wartime ace. and Walter Hinton,
uho made the first transatlantic flight
IN the NC-4 Other guests included A.
T Stewart OF the Chamber of COM
r1eree Of the United States and w. w.
Everett. president Of the Board OF Trade
Lawrence e. Williams. chairman Of the
aviation committee presided Manv
OF the members of the committee arc
practical flyers.
Foreseeing 8 great future in the next
Is wears for aviation as applied 10 the
commerce OF the world, Capt. Ricken-
hacker declared that the fast planes OF
today would appear as but mere kites
IN contrast to the huge express and
passenger liners of the air of tomorrow
He pointed out that even now planes
are being built capable of carrying 100
passengers.
Aviation development Of the future.
he said. would revolutioniZe merchandlS-
tne methods in more dramatic faShion
than did the sudden widespread ap-
plication Of the railroads and motor
vehicles In supplanting the norSe-drawn
vehicles.
washington in its location on the
Atlantic coast section is in highly
strategic position in regard to the
probable development of air lines be-
tween the United States and South
America
Stresses Need for Airport.
The horse-drawn vehicle gave the
people Of 8 community a social radius
Of 1--WE miles in 1900: the automobile
increased it TO about IS miles; but with
the application of the modern airplane
II viii be 100 miles or better, the speaker
asserted. Use of airplanes by CONNER
cisI establishments and private owners,
he said. would open up great stretches
Of country land nov inaccessible, due to
lack of adequate roads and the time
required IN present modes Of travel
Washington needs municipal air
port almost more than any other city
In the world because it is on one OF
the great highways of progress, he
said. There are two highways OF
progress One from New York TO San
Francisco: and one from New YORK
via Miami to Buenos Aires and Cape
Horn. all depending on air lines. The
linking Of the great South American
continent with North America by air
viii mean that instead Of being 80
days away. in travel. We viii be but
three or four days away"
In describing present possibilities OF
air travel. Capt Rickenbacker stated
that in less than 90 days he had been
IN every State of the Union. visiting
ln2 cities. and travelling about $4,000
miles. using airplanes wherever possible