Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-08
CITY HEADS URGE
GRAvELLY POINT AS
D. C. AIRPORT SITE
Continued From First Page.)


sentative Nelson asked him where he
thought the new airport for Washington
should be placed. He replied that he
had only looked into the proposed sitcS
In a general way, but it appeared to him
Gravelly Point is the best available To-
cation.
Members Of the commission CUES
toned Comdr. Towers at some length as
to whether 1t is advisable to have the
Navy conducting flying experimental
work so close to large city like WASH
ington. Comdr. Towers said there
seemed to be no need for danger 70
the public provided they do not en-
croach on the field of operation.
M. Adams, a former national presi-
dent Of the Aeronautic Association, de-
voted most Of bis testimony to de-
scription and explanation of how the
Boston Airport is being developed. After
he had given these details, Senator
Bingham asked him how he VtSualized
the needs of Washington.
II do not think any city in the coun-
try has so great a need for an airport
as Washington, MIR. Adams replied.
bcautnuA NAy EHVku AK.
1.-THE type of people who come here
would use airplanes. Furthermore,
Washington from the air Is undoubt-
edly the most beautiful city in the
United States The two private fields
here now are kept busy all the time.
The District of Columbia Is also an i'm
portant mail center"
Senator Bingham asked the witness
If he was familiar with local sites. He
said he was familiar with the two fields
now in operation across the river and
indirectly familiar with Gravelly Point,
but that he preferred to let the local
committee that had studied the prob
lem for the national association present
its views as to location.
MIR Adams laid down the proposal
that it would be foolish to establish an
airport with less than 5000 feet OF
clear runway space. He said 5000
feet would be desirable. but that In no
event should the runway area be less
than 5000 feet.
Senator Bingham asked what the
witness thought Washngton's, neeos
would be 10 years from now and at the
end of 20 wears. He replied that any
airport established now should be good
for 10 years, but did not think any air
port built now would be adequate ~
years hence.
Mai. Dawson testified in answer to
a question by Representative zihlman
that it would require three years from
the time the appropriation Is made
available until the proposed airport al
Gravelly Point would be provided. The
Gravelly Point area would be created
by filing In what is now water area
Mai, Dawson said soundings recently
made at the direction of Congress show
that there Is q gravel bed sufhclent tc
form the base for the NIL.
Administration Building Planned.
Mai Dawson also testified that the
Commissioners have in mind an admin.
istration building on the fieid tha'
would cost $4,000, equal to that pian'
ned for the Boston airport.
While Maj. Dawson was describing II
detail what is proposed for GravelIS
Point, Senator, Bingham and Repre-,
sentative Zihlman asked NUMBER o.
questions as to areas that might Dt
available near College Park. Mo, ans
also at Chillum Md, for airport Sues
Senator Bingham brought OUT .,
questioning that the area on Wnieh IN;
proposed runways and otner lanonM
facilities are to be laid out is about hai
a mile from the spot known as GIavelN
point and Mai. Dawson testineo ina
This distance would be ample to make
POSSIBLE safe take-offs from the runway'
on the proposed site.
Letter Of Commissioners Read.
The letter of the District Commits
sioners, which was Grad TO the alrpoI.
group by Maj. Dawson, reao III part u
follows: +c
have In washington the largest airport
in the world, but it Is believed that SucI
an airnort as is constructed should moi
he surpassed in its facilities by any
other airport. After careful considera,
tion of the matter from all angles ano
an investigation of all Of the other pos
sible sites. the Commissioners are con-
WINGED that the proposed site at GraV-
eilv Point south of the Highway brioge
ON the west shore of the Potomac River
is the hest location within the DlsCIlc'
If Columbia. Careful investigation mas
heen made to ascertain whether or no'
the Gravelly Point airport site can pe
developed In such manner that the M
ished field will justify the expense ano
serve as the site for a model airport. ~
is believed that the engineering FEATURES
involved are simple and entirely pos,
sible of execution and that the grouno
so made will make an excellent airport
mo attempt is here made to 60 lnto
the merits and dement's of the othei
nronosed airport sites in the immeoiate
Vicinity of the District of Columbia. Dul
;rformation will be made available tc
the Joint commission showing why tne
"Reminiscences feel that the GraveliS
Point site is best suited to the need'
of the District of Columbia.
Point Site Readily Located.
"In general Gravelly Point is prop
erlv situated to be readily located ron
the air. 1t has perfect facihtles iol
communication by land and by wafer
II can be used jointly by land plane
and sea planes. It is OF sultaple si1'
and is capable of expansion at q rea'
sonabIe expenditure Of funds. IL Is, o.
ali sides. free from Instructions wnici
would constitute flying hazards ana
so situated that such CONSTRUCTION:
never can be built close to the helo
1t is centrally located and can pe CON
yeniently reached in q short time IIoI
the center OF the city. 1t Is practi
cally all within the confines OF the LBS
trict of Columbia and it is beleVeo ina
an agreement can be reached with IN
state of Virginia that will permit TN
| field to be maintained under the olrec
! control Of the District government.
ut can be constructed and operate,
| at a reasonable cost as compared VIII
the developments of similar ports a
other important centers.
After explaining the size OF the pro
posed field at the start and the posi-
bilities for enlargement in future years
the Commissioners made the folio~in'
recommendations
/ ! ..r-lna final nlan inVnlVaN An airpOf