Evening star., 1933-02-26

5-year military program Is past with
the Army'S program still incomplete be-
cause Of lack Of necessary appropriations
and no decision made upon future policy
for the next 10 years, as recommended
by the Morrow board and the Select
Committee of Inquiry Into Operations
# the United States Air Services.
Similarly, the air transport lines have
been hampered in making advance
plans because no definite policy for ap-
nropriationS over a period of years has
>een decided upon by Congress.
I'm the field of international airshlp
transport the building Of fleet Of giant
aIper- -airships to carry passengers, mail
Gld express over the Atlantic and the
Plcific awaits the approval OF a bill
b,fore Congress giving to the air car
ri,rs the same rights and privileges
accorded surface carriers on the sea.
The program OF the Department Of
Commerce for developing system Of
airways, with aids to air navigation
similar to those provided by the Gov
eminent TO water navigation, has like
wise been curtailed through deceased
appropriations. All of these projects
would insure employment to highly
skilled men, whose services should be
retained to aid in building the aviation
industry as an element essential to
national defense and necessary to the
fulfllment Of the economic and social
needs Of the country during the next
decade"
New Gravelly Point Plan.
A new element has been injected into
the already complicated local airport
situation by the introduction in the
House Of the new Stalker bill author
izing the establishment by the Federal
and District governments jointly of
model airport on the Gravelly Point
site. The bill has been referred to the
House District Committee, which already
has before it the Mcmillan bill provid-
ing for leasing and operation by the
District government Of Washington
Hoover Airport
Though the Gravelly Point project is
one of many years standing, the Stalker
bill Is new in q number Of respects.
The idea of joint development and
operation by the local and national gov
er1nnef1ts Is new. The bill also pro-
poses to place jurisdiction and control
OF the airport In the hands Of the Secre-
tary Of War, in which respect the
measure differs from previous plans.
The purpose Of the measure, it is
stated, Is "to facilitate and encourage
the development of commercial aviation
and for national defense purposes" The
completed field Is to measure up to the
Department Of Commerce requirements
for an Ala airport, the highest type
of rating recognized, and is to be
equipped to accommodate all types OF
aircraft, both heavier and lighter than
air.
The cost Of the project is to be borne
equally by the Federal and District
governments, limit Of sl,500,o00 being
set for the development.
Site Is Under Water.
A greater part Of the Gravelly Point
site Is under water. Filling Of the area,
Virginia shore Of the Potomac Rivef
south Of the railroad bridge, Is to be
undertaken. in all events, as a part of
the regular channel dredging operations
Cf the Army Engineer Corps, according
to plans of the Army Engineers for the
local district.
Dredging of accumulations of silt from
the channel is continuing operation
and dumping areas farther upstream
have been filled leaving Gravelly Point
as the next available area for deposit
ing dredgings from the channel. All
land so reclaimed will belong to the
District. If not used for airport pur-
poses, it probably will be reclaimed for
park use as a part Of the riverside
parkway project.
The Gravelly Point project, even if
expedited, however, will require several
years for completion. Estimates of the
time vary from two to seven years. Ad-
Vocates of the WaShington-Hoov Air
port bill have told Congress that there
is urgent necessity for an airport at
once. Operators of the present air
terminal are in financial difficulties and
may be forced to close out, leaving the
Capital without any airport, it was testi-
fed in hearings before Senate and
House committees. For this reason 1t
has been urged that. regardless Of what
is done about Gravelly Point, the Gov
ernment should take emergency action
TO insure the continued operation OF
Washington Hoover Airport.
Airmail Anniversary Observed.
Twelve years ago on Washington's
.thday. the first continuous trans
ltinental airmail flight began. Eight
oneer pilots. three of whom still fly
irmail on the transcontinental run,
perated in relays to carry the mail
cross the Nation in less than "a hours.
Defying the dangers of flying over
many miles of black country which
showed no guiding lights or lighted
intermediate fields where safe landings
could be made in case Of motor trouble,
some of these pilots risked their own
safety to prove the practicability OF
night airmail service.
From this humble beginning has
grown the greatest night airmail serv-
ice in the world, a single American air.
mail contractor operating more night
mail mileage than all the airlines of
Europe combined The bonfires which
provided light for landings at the termi-
nal fields II years ago on that historic
occasion have given way to magnificent
ly lighted terminal and intermediate
fields, great chains of revolving beacons,
or aerial lighthouses, radio weather
stations, radio guiding beacons and
other aids to the night-f1ying pilot.
Twelve years ago, the pioneers, willing
to risk their lives If necessary to further
an ideal. Today, the established night
airmail, operating with an average Of
~ per cent efficiency, reducing to one
business day the time Of communication
,etween any two points in the country.
Truly, fruitful IL years.
Rail Competition Seen.
Though railroads continue to exert
major influence on the social and eco
nomic life of America, the effects Of
motor vehicle and aviation competition
are becoming mere apparent all the
time, it is pointed out in the first of a
series of 13 monographs to be published
as a result of work by the Presidents
Research Committee on Social Trends.
Whereas motor vehicle transportation
works to the disadvantage Of the rail-
roads chiefly on short haul traffic, 1t was