Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-15
The Airport Bill.

The Bingham airport bill, introduced
yesterday in the Senate, sets down in
black and white the method of dividing
the cost of this important project be-
tween the municipality and the Federal
Government. A study of its provisions
should serve to clarity as fact some of
the provisions thus far regarded as con-
lecture.
The District is to buy the land now
known as Hoover Field and Washington
Airport and fill in a portion of the
channel between Columbia Island and
the mainland. In addition, it is to de-
velop these lands as an airport and pro-
vide the facilities for service, fuel and
other supplies to make the airport meet
standards prescribed by the Secretary
of Commerce.
The United States is to donate SO
much of the agricultural experimental
farm and Columbia Island "as the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia
may designate as necessary for the pur-
poses of this act" 1t is also to throw in
Military road and construct another
highway-if the latter step is necessary.
The purchase or condemnation of the
land in question will be done through
machinery already existing in the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning Com
mission. The title will rest in the name
of the United States. Jurisdiction and
control of the airport will be transferred
to the Commissioners of the District.
All departments and agencies of the
Federal Government will have free and
unrestricted use of the airport
The bill would appropriate $4,000 900
for purchase of land and development
Of the airport, to be repaid by the Dis
trict without interest. Phraseology of
this portion Of the act has been in
terpreted to mean that repayment to
the Treasury does not begin until money
has actually been spent: in other words,
the amount to be repaid In any one
year will depend upon the amount
actually expended during the preceding
year.
Opposition has been expressed to the
Bingham measure from responsible
groups, and this opposition has been
expressed as sincerely as the indorse-
ment of the measure that has come
from other sources. When hearings on
the bill begin, an opportunity will be
presented for full discussion and airing
OF pros and cons.
In advance of the hearings, however,
little is to be gained by opponents of
the Bingham bill who seek to reject it
now as altogether unworthy. Dissent is
to be expected upon a matter that is SO
not only as to the technical
features Of the project as an airport,
but in the division of cost Such dissent
is healthy and connotes a wide-awake
interest. 1t will doubtless be SO in
terpreted by Senator Bingham and his
colleagues who, after giving much time
and thought to the matter, have decided
upon the proposition as outlined in the
pending bill as being the most practical
thing that can be undertaken at this
time and representing a fair share of
participation by the Federal Govern
ment. But the hearings on this measure
will provide the proper time and place
for expression of this dissent. If the
opponents outweigh, by logical presenta-
ton Of facts, the contentious of the
bills proponents, there is little danger
that the District will be forced to swal-
low something it does not relish.
Polemical discourse, however, should
be replaced by dignified argument on the
merits of the case when hearings begin
There is much merit in the Bingham
bill.