Evening star., 1934-01-31
OPPOSES AIRPORT
AT GRAvELLYPO|NT
House Military Affairs Conn.,
mittee Holds Site Too Close
to Boiling Field.

Only a few hours after Senator Glib
son of Vermont had introduced new
bill providing for creation of a model
airport for Washington at Gravelly
Point the House Military Affairs Com
mittee in executive session today unanl-
mOuSly voted an opinion that the
Gravelly Point site is too close to Boil
ing Field for safety.
On the basis of the most expert
testimony we could obtain, we decided
that the Gravelly Point site is so close
to Boiling Field and the Anacostia
Naval Air Station that il would be too
hazardous for air terminal purposes"
Chairman McSwain explained.
The committee probably Will call
representative of the Board of District
Commissioners and of the Office OF
National Parks. Buildings and ReServa-
tions to ask them to withdraw their
support for the Gravelly Point project
McSwain said No date was set for re-
opening of tho hearing on the bill
The Gibson bill carries authorization
for an appropriation of not to exceed
S2.500000 for the development Of the
Gravellv Point model air terminal. half
to be paid by the District of Columbia
and half by the Federal Government
The bill stipulateS that the airport shall
be contracted by the Federal Govern
ment three annual appropriations of
S750000 each being authorized
Would Charge No Interest.
The District would repay its half of
the total cost in five equal yearly in
StallmCnts of S250000 each. commenc-
ing 10 years after the completion of
the airport. No interest would be
tlN mo NJ
during the IS years which would elapSe
before repayment of the funds ad-
vanCed by the Treasury.
The bill calls for the temporary i'm
nrovemcnt of Washington Airport. by
the closing of Military road and the
addition of a portion of the Arlington
Experimental Farm. to serve as a city
airport pending completion of Gravelly
Point.
In the event the owners Of Wash
ington Airport object to this plan. the
Secretary of War is directed by the
bill to make available the temporary
use of Boiling Field as a temporary air
transport terminal until Gravelly Point
Is ready for use.
Sent to Committee.
The Gibson bill. described as the
most comprehensive airport plan sub
mitted TO Congress during the eight
years the local airport matter has been
under consideration was referred to the
Senate District Committee.
The bill provides for creation of
District Cl Columbia Airport Commission
composed Of the District Engineer Com
missioner the director of national
parks buildings and reservations and
The Army engineer for the Washing
ton district This commission would
establish and maintain the airport.
The cost of maintenance Of the
Gravelly Point Airport after its COM
rletion would be borne by the Federal
Government and al revenues would
be covered into the Treasury as mis-
CellaneOus receipts.
A proposal that 217 Of the 329 acres
Of East Potomac Park be taken over for
airport purposes was made to the
House Military Affairs Committee late
yesterday by Representative Duncan OF
Missouri
Mr. Duncan a member Of the com
mittee made the proposal in connec-
tlon with the consideration of the NC
swain bill to establish a governmental
airport for washington. 1t would al