Evening star., 1932-11-27

The impossible situation con
explained in a report just comple'
Committee of the WashingtoE b
of Lawrence E. Williams. This col
airport matter, has reported fave
| is prepared to carry its recomme
by the full board membership.
The committee reported that mo at
| tempt is made to pass upon the validity
of the Governments claim" The his
| tory of the controversy over ownership
of the property is long and exceedingly
| involved. The present owners and their
predecessors in title have exercised con-
| troll of the land since 100 and even
earlier, having proved their title and
paid taxes on the property, the COM
mittee reported.
There is no reason" the committee
reported, "to believe that the present
operators cannot continue to operate
| these airports. However, they cannot
do so effectively. Because of the cloud
on the title to part of the lands it Is
! not prudent business to eXpend large
sums of money improving the proper
| ties. They cannot close Military road
or acquire the desired portion OF the
| experimental farm. Therefore, they
cannot unite the fields for efficient
operation. They cannot afford to take
| the risk of losses, and would, OF course,
| be tempted to put the grounds TO more
profitable uses whenever possible to
| do So"
The committee reported that, by use
of the available portion of the Airing
| ton experimental farms, the closing OF
Military road and the filling in OF q
part of the lagoon between the main
| land and Columbia Island, the total
possible area of the airport could be
| increased to 215 acres, measuring about
2.8oO feet by 4,800 feet.
There would be ample room for as
MANY hangers as could possibly be de-
sired. 1t was reported. With the pre-
vailing winds north and south, the run
ways are favorable, it was stated. The
! total cost of the two fields at the pres
ent time, including equipment, was
| placed at $2,358,9l3, of which S1,28O,-
397 is represented by the Washington
! Airport property and $528,0OO by the
| field improvements there. The remain
i inc smaller items are made up in Hoo
yer Field. the airport restaurant, air
port swimming pool, oil station, hangers
and other items
Dealing with airport traffic, the COM
mittee found that there are 40 regu-
ularly scheduled plane arrivals and de-
partures daily; that daily arrivals and
! departures of private planes cannot pe
| estimated. and that in sightseeing
flights 22,773 passengers were carried
! last wear. No private dying clubs use
| the fields. but student instruction Is
| given there by one instructor.
More Flying Predicted.
1t is the belief of members of the
committee that Government operation
of the airport, following closing of Mill
tary road and extension Of the landing
area to the utmost possible limits, will
result in greatly increased flying op-
erations there.
1.-THE development Of this airport" il
was reported, would be of great ad-
vantage to all operators using the field
Private flying would be increased. Mort
| air lines should operate out OF thE
field when increased and better faclll,
ties are available. 1t is impossible al
This time to estimate the approximate
increase in revenues that would accrue
to the Government. The only hnlta'
tion is the future of aviation itself;
The committee was unable 10 liil'
opposition to the leasing plan on tn'
part OF any Of the Government depart
ments concerned.
aft is our understanding" the com
n,ittee said. that the proposal has tht
annroval of the officials OF the DlStrlc
Of columbia government, the Natlona
Capital Park and Planning Commission
the Department of Commerce, the POS
Once Department and the War De
partrnent. It is understood that TN
plan will meet with the approval o
the President" /,
The owners of the fields propose II
lease them to the Government at al
annual rental Of $115,O00. The pendlnI
MCMILLAN bill, to authorize the leaslni
program, would provide an option U
purchase at a price not in excess o
S2OO0,000.
It is obvious to all who fly tina
something should be done at once abou
the local airport situation. The Ma
tional Capital today has one OF Tn
most inadequate air terminals and som
of the heaviest air traffic in the coun
try. It has less private flying than an.
American city of its size, largely oe
cause of unsuitable airport faclntles
The Mcmillan bill offers one means
meeting the situation. In the absenc'
of any better plan, 1t Is worthy o
support.
Comdr. Rounds Resigns.
The resignation of Lieut.. Conldr
Edward w. Rounds as commandlnI
officer of VN-6R, the local Naval AVA
ton Reserve Division, has just beer
announced. His successor IS Lieut.
Comdr. Clarence H. Schildhauer.
Comdr. Rounds, who has served 10
six years as skipper" Of the Reserv