Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-07-16
CITY AIRPORT
RATED HIGH
BY OFFICIAL
Inspector Declares
Harrington Missed
Big Bet

That the Brownsville Municipal
hrport. after making but few min
or changes, will be able to fulfill all
the government qualifications re-
CURED to receive an ALA rating
and therefore be the third field in
the United States of this high rank,
was the opinion expressed Tuesday
afternoon by Marshall G. Hoppin,
Washington, of the department Of
commerce. to z. A. Rosenthal.
Brownsville city manager. following
an inspection Of the local port.
The government official arrived
In Brownsville Tuesday morning,
and in company with Mayor r. B..
Rentfro. z. A. Rosenthal, and Air
port Manager Col II E. Gilmore,
inspected the field carefully.
Astounded
He expressed himself as astound-
ed with the local airport ana frank
" stated that he had not expected
TO find such an elaborate plant
here. He added that a:rports in the
largest of Texas cities, including
Houston, Dallas and San Antonio,
could not compare with the
Brownsville field.
After his comprehensive inspec-
ton, Nj. Hoppin said hat few al
terations and improvements would
have to be made in order 10 attain
the high rating that is at present
held by only two airports in the
United States, these being Denver,
Colo, and Pontiac, Mich.
The main thing, he said, was hat
two new runways would have TO be
constructed. Col. Gilmore explained
that he had been working on TINS
for several months, and that ne
would Immediately take this matter
I'D with the New York offices OF
the Pan-American company. he
added that he thought the company
would appropriate enough money TO
bring the field up TO an ALA
rating, but could not be positive
Other Small Improvements
The other improvements suggest
ed by Mr.. Hoppin were minor, one
being the cutting Of mesquite oruSh
IN one section OF the field that IS
unused at present, and the other
being the moving of the boundary
lights slightly. A small irrigation
ditch is inside the boundary lights,
and although 1t would be tmpossl-
BILE for a plane to strike the often,
as IL Is within a few feet OF the
lights. unless it was done purposely,
Mr.. Hoppin said that it was tech
nically incorrect.
MI. Hoppin travelled to McAllen
Wednesday morning but was ex-
pected TO return to Brownsville
late in the afternoon.
He expressed himself as strongly
In favor Of an airport in Harrington
and was disappointed when the
bonds were reported defeated.
Deplores Harrington Vote
When asked why Harlingen need
ed an airport when the Browns
Vile field was capable Of handling
all traffic and mail, he explained
that within ten years any city with
out an airport would be in the same
condition as a city without a rail-
road at present.
Several years ago cities n
towns voted bonds, donated parks
and gave rights of way in order TO
get railroads to touch their mu-
inequalities. The same thing is
happening now in the way Of air
ports, and in years to come the lack
OF an adequate and efficient air
field will be a detriment TO the
city" he said to Mr.. Rosenthal.
Brownsville does not realize
what a wonderful field we have
here" Mr.. Rosenthal said We'd
nesday. Il did not realize II my
self until the inspection yesterday.
It IS remarkable.
The +, If received, will be
q distinct asset and viii give the
city wonderful publicity. IL viii
be the third in the United States.