Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-16
HYBLA VALLEY SITE
LOOMS AS FAVORED
A|RSH|P TERMINAL
Eckener's international
Group NarrOWS Search
to Three Fields.
COMPLETE WEATHER
INFORMATION Is ASKED
Eight Months of Detailed, Techni-
cal Study May Bring Decision
Favorable to Capital.

DR.. Hugo Eckener's international zep-
pelin company has narrowed its search
for United States terminal down to
three sites, with Hybla Valley, near
Alexandria, Va, ranking as the strong
est of the three contenders, it was
learned here today. The other sites are
at Richmond Va, and Baltimore, &C
cording to information received by the
Washington Board of Trade and off,
Gals of Washington Air Terminals
Corporation. operators of Washington
Airport and owners of the Hybla VAL
ley tract.
DR.. Eckener's American representa-
tive. Comdr jerome C. Munsaker has
called upon the owners of the Hybla
Valley tract to make an immediate tech
meal study for the guidance of Dr.
Eckener in making the final selection.
The installation of complete auto
matte weather recording instruments
is requested and it is asked that daily
observations be charted and sent to
the New York offices of the interna-
tional airship line for the next eight
months. 1t is estimated that the cost
Oh INSTALLING IIlG anu CGl-
iecting the data requested by Comdr.
Hunsaker for Dr. Eckener will total
between $4,000 and $4,000, and Wash
tngton civic and business organizations
probably will be asked to share the
expenses as a contribution to the de-
velopment of the National Capital.
Equipment Estimated TO Cost $1,000.
In a letter to C. E. Fauntleroy, presi-
dent of the Federal Aviation Corpora
ton, of which Washington Air Ter
minals Corporation is a subsidiary,
Comdr. Hunsaker has outlined the in
formation desiredFon the Hyb.a Valley
tract He submits an estimate OF cost
on the meteorological equipment run
ming to more than 81 800.
The Instruments include a wind dl-
rection and velocity recorder, wind vane,
and thermometer of the three-cup type
mounted on "a 50-foot tower in the
center of the Hybla Valley field. Daily
attendance will be required to maintain
1.-The equipment. change the charts daily,
and forward them to New York. This
service should be maintained until Feb
ruary l. 1881, Comdr. HunSaker said.
Ward T. Van Orman, veteran balloon
pilot and winner of many balloon COM
petitions, will represent the Interna-
tional Zeppelin Transport Corporation
here in making the study, Comdr. Hun
saker said.
Railroad Information Asked.
In addition to the weather informa-
ton. Comdr. Hunsaker has asked for
detailed information on rail transporta-
ton, the Board of Trade was informed
today. Speaking of the Hybla Valley
tract, Comdr. Hunsaker said In his
letter to Mr.. Feuntleroy;
THE problem of rail transportation
na
western boundary we estimate spur
from the R. F. & P. r. r. of two miles
in length will be necessary to provide
rail facilities to the tract The eSti-
mate of this spur should include track.
right of way and grading. Apparently
there is possible rail connection from
the east tapping the w. & Va. r. r.,
+ near Herbert Springs Our choice. OF
course. would lean toward the r. F. q
p. r. r.. being a main trunk line Es-
timate, IN these rail connections would
be appreciated.
The data we have available does not
show any provision for drainage of this
tract. AS suggested, there may be rec
ords in the War Department of drain
age proposals for this tract, which
should be quite helpful"
Indicated Decided Preference.
When in the National Capital early
last Spring, DR. Eckener and Comdr.
Hunsaker indicated a decided prefer
ence for field near the National Capt.
tai.
Definite information following in
ouirieS by the Board of Trade indicate
that Richmond may be considered too
far from New York, and that because
of the fact that Washington is the
National Capital, with unusual hotel
and publicity facilities, and the
superiority of the Hybla Valley tract,
it would be considered first in the list
II ne requested investigation into the
weather conditions are satisfactory, .
1t was stated by officials of the board.
OfficialS of the Board of Trade,
headed by Lawrence Z. Williams, chair
man of the Aviation Committee, and
Robert ]. CottEell. secretary, will con-
fer Immediately with Washington air
terminals officials to plan what steps
shall be taken to obtain the necessary
Instruments and begin the technical
AJ,dy.
Local Delegation Followed Survey.
delegation from the board and
from the air terminals company &C.
II: 1anied DR. Eckener and Comdr
Iidnsaker on their personal survey OF
the Hybla Valley tract last Spring.
The field to be chosen after the study
of the three sites is completed will be.
come the Western terminal for a trans.
atlantic dirigible service to be establish.
ed under direction of DR.. Eckener a.
a result of his successful flights to Thu
country in the Graf Zeppelin.
Asan in ducement TO DR.. Eckener Il
locate at Hybla Valley, it is understood
BY officials of the Board of Trade, tn
Washington Air Terminals Corporation
will offer DR.. Eckener free OF charg
a 2OO-acre tract at Hybla Valley 70
the erection OF a dirigible hangar, oil
the condition that the field be used a
the American terminal of the oceaI
service.