Evening star., 1928-05-17
HOUSE D. c. GROUP.
O.K'SA AIRPORT BILL
GraveIIy Point, on $3.50 Cost
Basis, Receives Unanimous
Approval of Body.

The subcommittee on parks and play
grounds of the House District COM
rnittee today unanimously reported the
Stalker bill. providing for an airport
st crsvellv Point, with an amendment
making this a two-year project instead
Of . fVe-vear project, and with an
snnropriation Of $500 900 wear author
fzeo fo be made or a $3.50 basis as
between the Federal Treasury and the
District budget.
The statement was made that the
full committee will make this measure a
special order Of business at IT'S next
meeting so as 10 give the Natlonel
Capitsl a model municipal airport at
the earliest possible date
Establishment Of the airport was ad-
vocated last night by the Washington
--gsaIrber Of Commerce in adopting the
reporl ySssHaitted by its committee on
aviation, ~-~sented by Jerome Fanciulil,
chairman. at an aviation night" gath
ering. held in the Mayfiower Hotel.
Asks Best Airport.
Shortly thereafter it heard a spirited
plea by Clarence Young, director Of
seronautics Of the Department of Com
merce, that Washington construct the
model. typically American airport Of
the Nation, comparable 10 the best in
Europe
A distinguished array Of men who
have taken a leading part in avia-
ton attended the meeting, which was
addressed by Assistant Secretary for
Aeronautics Warner OF the Navy De-
psrtment. who outlined the history of
transportation and portrayed an un-
imagined development in the field Of
air transport. He urged that Wash
ington allow ample room for expansion
Of its airport III the future.
Mai. H. c, Davidson. commanding
Officer Of Boiling Field, who was unable
To attend the gathering, warned in
letter: The question of a suitable air
port for Washington is very interesting
to me. and I am anxious to see them
obtain such an airport at any other
point than Boiling Field, for ! do not
believe that Boiling Field can ever be
made into a suitable airport unless the
grade along the east side is raised by
ct least feet"
Report Unanimously Adopted.
In presenting his report on the air.
port, MFR Fanciuln said that the wash
ington Chamber of Commerce was the
first body in the city TO take an interest
in aviation, recalling efforts made in
1909 TO obtain the first international
airplane contest. Adoption of the re-
port was without a dissenting voice.
Mr.. Young, in streSsing the need for
an airport here, asserted that there are
now 4.eo0 airplanes in private operation
and that about 4.000 more will be
added this year. There are ITO groups
purporting TO manufacture airplanes.
he said. but at this time 1t is impossible
to buy today for immediate delivery an
approved type of airplane. Every week,
he told the gathering, the Department
Of Commerce is receiving communica-
tons from communities interested in
the development OF airports.
There Is yet to be built in the United
States an outstanding airport that is
representative Of the United States"
Mr. Young asserted THAT is the kind
that will compare with Templehofer in
Berlin. Croydon in London, and lie
Bourget in Paris. There can be no bet
ter place for ii than In Washington
the Nations Capital"
Ivan c. Weld. president Of the cham
Der, who presided. called on Lieut.. Col.
q. S. Grant, Sd, director of the Ma
ttonal Capital Park and Planning Com
mission. to speak.
Col. Grant called attention TO "the
apparent indifference of the people of
Washington to q bill for an airport"
He said GraveIly Point does seem to
offer almost indefinite room for the fu-
ture. in insisting that Washington must
have an airport within year or two.