Evening star., 1933-11-15
CAPITAL AIRPORT
MIDDLE MAY END
AT MEETING TODAY
Conference May Bring Pro-
posaI That U. S. Buy and
Operate Field Here.
OFFICIALS TO TAKE PART
IN HARMONY SESSIONS
Doe and Solomon Predict Early
Action-Park Site Plan Re-
garded as Abandoned. =.

The Districts long delayed municipal
airport program may reach a conciu-
sion as a result of a series of confer
ences scheduled to begin today after
| the arrival from New York of Capt
Thomas B. Doe, president of Eastern
Air Transport.
Capt. Doe, local airport officials, rep
resentatives OF air lines operating in the
District and Federal officials are ex-
pected to take part In the conferences
which may result In an application for
the use OF Public Works Administration
funds for the purchase and operation of
Washington Airport by the Federal Gov
ernment.
Capt. Doe said he probably would
nave definite announcement on his
company's plans regarding the local
airport situation late today after con-
sulting with local aviation and Govern
ment officials.
VIII Confer With Solomon.
Among those with whom Capt. Doe
will confer is Samuel Solomon, general
manager of Washington Airport and
vice president Of Federal Aviation Cor
poration, which Is planning, through
Its subsidiary, Federal Air Lines Cor
poration. to establish express-passenper
air service between Washington and
New York.
Mr.. Solomon also expressed the belief
that the local airport problem is ap-
preaching a solution.
Those interested have reached the
oasis OF an agreement upon which we
nave assurances Of definite action" Mr..
Solomon said.
Capt. Doe and Solomon represent
competing interests on the local airport
program and the fact that they appar-
emily had reached an agreement. and
nave INFORMAL assurances of Federal
support for the program they now are
working out, was taken as an indication
that final action may be expected soon
Federal purchase or rental and oper-
alton of Washington Airport bv the De
partment of Commerce was recon-
mended during the Hoover administra-
ton by o special joint congressional
commission, headed by former Senator
Hiram Bingham of Connecticut. The
plan was Endorsed at that time by
representatives Of virtually every local
civic organization, although some in
terests recommended it as only a tern
porary step pending construction of a
permanent municipal airport on the
GraVelly Point site.
Park Plan Seen Dropped.
Today's conferences, it was indicated
marked the abandonment by Eastern
Air Transport of its efforts to Interest
the Federal Government in establish
ment OF q municipal airport in East
Potomac Park. This plan has been op-
posed by park. and civic officials since
IL was announced last week.
Should the Public Works Administra
ton accede to the request that 1t pur-
chase Washington Airport, the question
OF the agency to operate the field will
remain to be settled. The Department
OF Commerce, under the air Commerce
act Of 1925, is expressly forbidden to
own or operate airports. Unless this
law is changed operation Of the local
airport by park or District officials
would be necessary
Eastern Air Transport, operating air.
mall, passenger and express service,
connecting more than 80 cities on the
Atlantic Coast, now operates at Wash
mgton Airport on a rental basis.
officials OF Federal Aviation Corpora
tion have limited that Eastern Air will
have to look for new airport facilities
here when their new line goes into op-
Grafton next Spring.