Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-25
NEED OF AIRPORT
IN CITY IS SHOWN
Chicago's Plight in Having
Field Far Distant Is Argu-
ment for D. c.
BY JOSEPH s. EDGERTON.
Aviation Editor of The Star.


CURTISS REYNOLDS AIRPORT.
Chicago August 25.--If travel broad
ems the mind. then many thousands OF
residents of Chicago, home of mechani-
cal pineapples. lake-front sun tanS and
25-cent sandwiches, should be among
the most broad-minded during the Ma
tional Air Races.
One must travel and travel to see the
aeronautical treat spread for the popu-
lace at this beautiful airport. The
scene of the races is about midway be-
tween the Chicago. Loop district and
the Wisconsin State line. One can
make the trip by express train, auto
Lnoile or bus, but good amphtbion
plane is much to be preferred.
BY taxicab from the Loop the fare is
$17.50 for the round trip. BY bus 81
will foot the bill there and back. The
Chicago traveller who leaves home and
friends behind to go to the races must
travel the full length OF thes magnif1-
cent lake-front park development and
on past Edgewater Beach and the
Sheridan road residential section, where
live millionaires and mighty politicians.
Evanston, which to the Chicagoan is
somewhere of in the wilderness, beck
ons is conquered and fades on the
horizon behind. Still the traveller wends
his weary way.
Open Spaces Lie Westward.
From Evanston the course lies west
ward toward the broad open spaces,
where men are ticket sellers and
vendors for the National Air Races.
Dempster road lies long ahead. The
Chicago drainage canal is crossed as
quickly as may be, and the country of
golf courses and wayside taverns is
reached.
Then comes a stretch of broad forests
where the sun shines cool through the
| leaveaa This is the forest preserve of
Cook County. Through the forests
goes the wayfarer, the lure of aviation
reckoning him on to the promised land.
There are wide open fields beyond the
woods and the journey goes on.
Now the country changes. The fields
are cleared and large signs decorate the
roadside. Parking, SO cents" they
read The traveller should not be
tempted too soon into parking his auto
mobile, however, and continuing on foot
to the airport. To do this he should
have thick-soled hiking shoes, maps,
cante0n, knapsaok with at least two
ham sandwiches and one of cheese, or
II skilled in the open air culinary arts,
dried beans or rice, flour, salt, sugar
and other necessities. Soothing ONT
ments for blisters also should be car
ried and a walking staff would be help
full. 1t is yet nearly miles to the air.
port.
Finally the long trek is completed
Ahead are the cool Wisconsin woods
and lakes. Behind are miles of travel
and WEAKNESS. The pilgrim toll is over.
Here are acres Of grandstands overlook
ing a broad-turfed airport. The hungry
tourist may obtain sandwiches at a
| quarter a shot OF mug of rather Bit
fnr 10 hn-
fore collapsing on his seat to enjoy the
fruits of his journeying into the far
spaces.
The fruits are well worth the effort
however. The races this year are by
far the greatest aeronautical event this
Nation has seen. Hundreds of airplanes
OF every conceivable size and shape are
here, with the finest pilots this coun-
try and Europe have produced to dem
onstrate just what can be done with the
modern airplane.
Argument for In-tOwn Field.
Delegates to the National Aeronautics
Association from the Aero Club of
Washington, in attendance at the races
here. see in the plight of Chicago a
J most cogent argument in favor of the
proposed airport, If and when au-
thorized by Congress. on one Of the
two available sites near the downtown
section. These are the Washington
| Airport Hoover Field site. recommended
by the joint Congressional Airport
Committee, and the Gravelly Point area
that has been Endorsed by aeronautic
civic and business organizations Of the
Capital.
Chicago is considering the creation
of an airport in Lake Michigan, in
front of the Loop area, by the filling
in of whatever land may be required
| for the purpose as an island, probably
to be connected by bridges with the
mainland. This development is re-
garded as necessary to the proper de-
velopment Of air transportation, and the
| island field will be used as terminal
for air passenger lines exclusively, ac-
cording to the plans.