Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-01
MEMORIAL SHAFTS
MAY Be ABANDONED
TOPROTECT FLYING
Col. Grant Says He Has No
Intention of Interfering
With Airport.
MENACE TO LIVES SEEN
BY PLANS OPPONENTS
Arlington Bridge Project Likely to
Be Modified Due to
Protests.

Two 200-foot granite columns which
were to have been erected on Columbia
Island as a part of the Arlington Me-
mortal Bridge project may be abandoned
as a sacrifice to the Capitals aviation
progress. 1t was learned today, as a re-
suit Of a conference late yesterday In
the Office of Col. U. S. Grant, Sd, execu-
tive officer of the Arlington Memorial
Bridge Commission.
The Columbia Island site of the Navy
and Marine memorial, also under criti-
cism as a possible hazard to aviation,
of the bridge commission and members
of the Aviation Committee of the
Washington Board of Trade to deter
mine whether modification of the plans
for the memorial would be advisable to
safeguard the lives of airplane pas
Sengers and pilots flying from Washing
ton-Hoover Airport.
ReasSured by Commission.
Members Of the Board of Trade Com
mittee, headed by Lawrence E. Williams,
chairman, and William P. MacCracken,
jr., former Assistant Secretary of Com
merce for AeronauticS, conferred with
Col. Grant yesterday and were assured
the Bridge Commission has no intention
Of deliberately endangering the lives OF
air travellers by erecting structures on
Columbia Island which would constitute
q menace to life.
Col Grant said plans for the twin
granite shafts now are il the hands OF
the Commission of Fine Arts The
foundations fer the columns would cost
approximately 100000 and the columns
an additional Sl,O00,000, it is estimated
Col. Grant told the delegation that If 1t
were clear that the columns would con-
stitute real menace to aviation he
would Immediately recommend any
necessary changes in plans for develop
n1ent of the island
The meeting, originally scheduled fol-
Today, was held unexpectedly after Col
Grants return to the city. Col. Harry
H. Blee, director of aeronautic devel-
opment Of the Department Of Com
merce, who has made a study Of the
Columbia Island situation on behalf OF
the departments aeronautics branch
had previously submitted an opinion
trait the columns would obstruct air
navigation.
Opposed by MacCracken.
An oral argument against the COL
umns was made by Mr.. MacCracken
who pointed out the Districts ali
transportation has grown to such pro.
ROAIAOAAo GlAdL ~ 4ldS U6COule a VITAL 1ac-
tor In the city's life. Washington.
Hoover Airport today affords the only
facilities the Capital has for air trans.
portation. and it would be sheer folly
to do anything to jeopardize the use
OF that airport until something better
is provided, he declared.
Col. Grant indicated he did not view
with favor suggestion that the foun-
cations for the columns and for the
memorial be constructed, but that erec-
ton of the memorial itself be delayed
until the airport can be moved tc
Gravelly Point, or some other equally
favorable site.
He indicated he could not advocate
tying up 100000 in the foundations
for the columns, with no assurance that
new airport would be provided, al
least for many years. AS an alterna-
tive, 1t was suggested a different type
OF memorial be constructed, so that II
would not obstruct flying. This sugges-
ton, 1t is understood. also will be laid
before the Commission of Fine Arts.