Evening star., 1934-01-22

Reconstruction of Washington Airport
to meet the needs OF the National Capt.
tai for an adequate governmental air
terminal could be accomplished within
three years without interruption to fly
ing operations at any time. according to
studies made by Army engineers which
have been resubmitted to the House
Military Affairs Committee during the
hearings on The McSWain bill.
The estimates of cost of such pro-
gram. based on the payment of 81 .600.-
900 for the land and existing improve
ments at the airport, total So $50 900.
The program calls for an airport COM
plete with all the facilities needed to
meet the requirements of the Depart
ment OF Commerce Aeronautics Branch.
An alternative program. based on
rental of the property. calls for ex-
penditure Of s538000 during the first
six months, S452 900 during the second
six months and S633 600 during each of
the second and third years. This pro-
gram includes payment of an annual
rental Of 100000 on the property.
Would Shift Road.
The first step called for under the
program in either case would be the
relocation of Military road. at an esti-
be started at once on filling. grading
and drainage of the landing area. 1t is
proposed to carry the fill TO level OF
from 8 to 10 feet above mean low water
level in the Potomac
The program for the first six months
in addition to the relocation of Military
road calls for construction OF the por-
ton Of the main drainage Culvert north
of the Arlington Experimental Farm. at
a cost of S35 600: dry excavation and
fill. totaling 800 900 cubic yards on the
field area and 100000 cubic yards in
the cove area between the airport and
Mount Vernon Boulevard at a cost OF
S420 900: removal of obstructiorIs at
Hoover Field. including the small brick
terminal building. two hangers and
other structures along Military road
$4,000; installation of airport radio
equipment. sl7,000 installation OF
meteorological equipment. $1,000: install
lation of night lighting equipment
S25 GOO, and provision Of fire fighting
equipment
This program for the first six
months would provide a good start on
the elevation and grading of the field
and on the drainage equipment. Cou-
pied with existing facilities. it would
provide a much improved airport for
the handling of air transport opera
tions. though leaving great deal to be
desired There still would remain an
acute shortage of hangar space and the
field would be very unsatisfactory from
the standpoint OF mud and dust
The construction allocated for the
second period Of six months would
bring to completion the construction
Of the main drainage culvert. at an ad-
ditional cost of S26250; completion of
the fill, involving an additional 3ll 600
cubic yaros, at cost of Sl86 600;
$4,000 yards of dredging operations at
Columbia Island, $4,000: construction
of an approach road to the airport
S1l 700: laying of 10000 square yards
OF runway paving Sl05 900. and in
stallation of subSurface drainage along
the runway which had been built.
The close of the first year of the
program, therefore. would find the fill
ing and grading and major portion of
the drainage system completed, a good
start made on the system of paved run
ways and a very much improved field
generally
During the second year, the program