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

That the Brownsville Municipal
AIRPORT. after making but few MN
or changes, will be able TO fulfill al
the government qualifications re-
hurried 70 receive an ALA rating
and therefore be the third field 10
the United States Of this high rams
was the opinion expressed Tuesday
afternoon by Marshall c. Hoppin.
washington, Of the department OF
commerce. to z. A. Rosenthai-
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. 4. A. Rosenthal. and Air
mort Manager Col 7. E. Gilmore
inspected the field carefully.
Astounded
He EXPRESSED himself as aStound-
ed with the local airport and frank
" stated that he mad no expected
10 find such an elaborate plant
here. He added that airportS IN the
largest Of Texas cities, including
Houston, Dallas and San Antonio
could not compare with the
Brownsville field.
After his comprehensive inspec-
ton, MIR. Hoppin said that few al
terations and Improvements would
have 10 be made in order TO attain
the high rating that is at present
held by only two airports IN the
United States, these being Denver,
- - nl~tsar Mich
The main thing, he said, was thar
two new runways would nave 70 oe
constructed. Col. Gilmore exllalneo
that he had been working on this
for several months. and that ne
would Immediately take this matter
nm with the New York offices OF
the Pan-American company. he
added that he thought the company
would appropriate enough money 70
bring the field up to an ALA
rating, but could not be positive.
other Small improvements
The other improvements suggest
ed by Mr.. Hoppin we're minor, one
being the cutting of mesquite brush
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 it would be impossi-
BILE for a plane to strike the ditch,
as il is within a few feet OF the
lights, unless 1t was done purposely,
Mr.. Hoppin said that il was tech
nically incorrect.
Mr.. Hoppin travelled 70 McAllen
"wednesday morning but was ex-
pected to return to BROWNSVILLE
lateNin the afternoon.
He depressed himself as strongly
Ia favor OF an airport in Harrington
and was disappointed when the
bonds were reported defeated.
Deplores Harlingen 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. 4,
years aeO SAIACo a-N
towns voted bonds, donated parks
and gave rights Of way in order 70
get railroads TO touch their mu-
inequalities. The same thing IS
happening now In the way Of air.
ports. and IL years TO come the lack
or 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. II did not realize it my
self until the inspection yesterday.
10 Is remarkable.
The ratiN-. If received, will be
n distinct asset and will give the
city wonderful publicity. 1t will
be the third in the United States.