The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-02-28

How did San Antonio capture
such a rich prize? The an
swer carries a moral for other
ambitious cities. Naturally, vari-
Gus places were eager to become
!, ''the West Point of the air. Conn
petition, therefore, was keen. The
Governments aircraft experts
looked favorably upon San An
tonic, for reasons which can be
readily grasped. But it appears
that one plank in the Administra-
tons economy program forbids
the purchase of any more land for
Federal purposes except in ex-
treme emergencies. And plenty of
sites were available without cost.
Gift to Government
The largest city in Texas hav-
ing made up It's mind to get the
coveted institution, the mayor and
other civic authorities laid their
heads together, authorized the
borrowing OF $500, 900, arranged
{ for the purchase OF the desired
site and promptly offered it as
a gift to the Government.
This enterprising stroke won
for san Antonio its newest and
proudest title, the West Point of
the air."
When you want a thing. go
after It.
San Antonio Is already the
home OF the largest military post
in the country, the people quickly
let you know. Not only so, but
there have always existed between
the military and the civilians
the most satisfactory and cordial.
relations. Uniforms are seen at
nearly all local society and other
social functions 1T is said that
at every u. s. Army post you will
find that more of the wives are
from San Antonio than from any
other city.
Natives Proud
Flying il destined to become
30 overshadowingly important an
arm of our national forces that
the founding here Of the Gov
ernment's chief training quarters
is bound to contribute tremen-
dousIy to the growth and fame
OF the city.
Is it not natural. therefore,
that San Antonians should be
carrying their heads appreciably
higher in consequence of the
new honor that has come to
them?
The fact is that San Antonians
have a. good deal more reason
at present for feeling satisfied
than most cities have. Condi.
lions here are distinctly more
active than elsewhere. Growth
is impressively under way in g
variety of directions. There is
little or none of the complaining
common in other cities. Une1n-
pIoyment Is not in evidence. and
assurances are given that it is
gratifying1y light.
A new spirit has taken posses
sion of the people.
Town Wakes Up
When was here in 1926 the
whole place struck me as sleepy,
stagnant, unenterprising. The
rich man at the top was smugly
satisfied with himself and his
fortune-and callous to the we'll
being or progress of the younger,
or coming generation. Business.
naturally. was backward. There
was much grumbling down the
line. Instead of throwing mean
ingless boquets to them, / told
a large gathering of business men
/ then had the privilege of adj
dressing under the auspices OF
the Chamber of Commerce what
saw.
bluntly told them how they
and their city impressed me.
paid them the compliment of as
Stunning that they wanted me to
be sincere. Having been invited
to offer suggestions, did So
perhaps with more daring than
wisdom. I recall an editor once
remarking that he had asked
such-and-such reporter to write
an article on a certain subject
because, he added, ''he will not
be hampered by possessing any
knowledge of the facts"
An invitation having been re-
ceived to talk to a similar gather.
ing on this return visit, l gladly
accepted after having had some
opportunity to see the changes
which had been made in the city
and its suburbs and after having
studied all available statistics COW
ering the intervening period.
What has been achieved is
really notable
Copyright. 1928. by p. C. Forbes)