Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-15

disable Government-owned lands in
the District Of Columbia, just as was
the case with East Potomac Park. 1t
will be available for airport purposes
or for public park development.
There is nothing unexpected or
secret about the filling of Gravelly
Point. Reclamation of this area has
been for a long time a part of the
permanent plan for improvement of
the Potomac. Dredging of the Po-
tomac River channels must be carried
on regularly to maintain navigable
depths. The river, unable to deposit
its loads of rich farm soil from the
unfortunately eroded fields of the
farmers of Maryland, Virginia and
West Virginia until after it has COM
pleted its swift passage of the upper
river gorges, habitually unloads in the
quiet waters of the District.
The Army Engineers. charged with
river and harbor maintenance, have
filled Columbia Island and other areas
above the railroad bridge across the
Potomac. Gravelly Point Is the next
available depository for the accumu-
lated silt from the local channels.
Some 5000 feet of riprap walls have
been constructed around the portion
of the Gravelly Point fats which has
been designated as the first unit OF
the proposed Gravelly Point airport.
Behind this wall the Army dredges
will deposit the channel silt, and so, in
the course of time, there will appear
a goodish chunk of land which many
persons contend will be ideal for a
model airport for the National Capital.
There was considerable excitement
at a session of the DStrict-Vlrglnla
Boundary Commission a few days ago
when it was testified that reclamation
of Gravelly Point was in process and
that the future of Washington Air
port thereby was threatened. The
Army Engineer Office, not whit dis
turbed. replied that it was true the
area was being filled, but that the
Office was not building an airport.
There is considerable difference Of
opinion as to how long it will require
the Engineers to reclaim all Of the
initial unit of the Gravelly Point area
in the normal course of channel
dredging. Estimates range up to 40
years. If Congress proves as dilatory
in the future as 1t has in the past
about settling the decade-old prob
lem of local airport, however, Wash
ington may awaken one day to find
an airport site ready made at its front
door-many long years from now.
CONTINUING its fight to put the
~ United States into position Of
undisputed world leadership in the
air. Senator William C. McAdoo,
president of the National Aeronautic
Association, has announced that the
association will sponsor Nation
wide educational program to bring the
public up to date with the needs and
advancements of American aviation.
The program is to open September %,
continuing to November /.
Aviation organizations in all parts
of the country have agreed to CO.
operate with N. A. A. committees in
TOO of the larger cities to develop
plans for the observance Of the week.
America must lead in the air, ="
Senator McAdoo declared in an
nouncing the campaign. The pres
ent unrest in Europe and the race for
Uraotar or,,, pnopts poake II ir1Oera
tive that the United States develop
speedily a more comprehensive pro-
gram for air defense"
In the commercial air transport
the United States faces the strong
competition of continental countries
in our South American and Far East
ern markets.
cat home" he said. I'VE have Jagged
far behind other countries in educat-
ing our people to the advantages OF
airmail. express and passenger serv-
ice. Last year less than one-half OF
l per cent of our citizens Travelled by
air, as compared with double this
number who travelled on the airlines
of France and Italy"
The air progress" program of the
N. A. A., Senator McAdoo said. is in
tended to create better understand
ing and a wider acceptance of avia-
ton in all its branches"
Il invite the citizens of the United
States to join with us in this important
work." he said.
Lighting and the construction Of
aids to air navigation along the
Washington-N Nashville airway is going
ahead rapidly and officials of the Blu
reau Of Air Commerce now believe that
the Washington Knoxville section will
be ready for service by September 80
and the whole route will be in opera
ton by the latter part Of october OF
early November.
MISUNDERSTANDING is part of the
Southern transcontinental route. over
which service is now maintained to
California. Lack Of beacons and radio
aids, however, prevents the operation
of night passenger service over this
section of the airway and is definite
handicap to development Of the full
possibilities of the route.
Il Is~l. s,.eR