Evening star., 1935-03-10
Northeast Airport Proposal
Draws Fire of Many
Organizations.
SUBCOMMITTEE SAID
TO BE STUDYING SITE
Letter Will Be Sent to Congress
Members Insisting on Plan
Widely Indorsed.
i Concerted opposition to selection of

Concerted opposition to selection of
an airport site in Northeast Wash
ington was developing last night as
rumors reached local civic and park
officials that a House subcommittee is
considering abandonment of both
Gravelly Point and Washington Air
port as sites for a permanent COM
nercial airport.
Clarence A. Miller. chairman OF
the Aviation Committee of the Wash
ington Board of Trade, predicted that
the united opposition of the Board
of Trade. Federation of Citizens AS
sociations, National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and other or
ganiZations will be brought against
any airport site other than Gravelly
Point.
Miller said he will send letter to
every member of the House Subcom-
committee and to Chairman Norton
of the House District Committee in
sisting upon selection Of the Gravelly
Point site.
It take the position" he said. "that
the people of the District of Colum-
bia are not going to be saddled with
the expense of an airport on loca-
ton they do not want. Local civic
and business organizations are unani-
mously in favor of the Gravelly Point
site"
Miller said he would try to get
copies of his letter into the hands
of each member of the subcommit-
tee, headed by Representative Ran
dolph of West Virginia, prior to a
meeting of the subcommittee sched-
uled for tomorrow morning.
Protest by Delano.
The opposition Of the Board OF
Trade official came closely upon the
heels of a protest by Frederic A. De-
lano, chairman of the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission,
against the selection of any site other
than Gravelly Point for local COM
mercial airport.
In letter which he sent to Chair
man Randolph yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Delano said that his commission
has given continuous study to the
problem of an airport for Washing
ton ever since 1927. and during this
period has consistently and repeat
edly indorsed the Gravelly Point site
as being the only appropriate area
suitable for. central commercial air.
port"
"The selection Of a central COM
mercial airport to serve the National
Capital" Mr.. Delano said, "is vested
with a larger public interest than
obtains anywhere else in the United
States. To and from Washington
travel public officials from all over
the United States. private citizens of
all degrees of prominence and lead
ership in national life, having busi-
ness with the Government. An air
port that shall be most convenient
and adequate for future needs is
first essential"
Mr.. Delano listed 10 arguments in
favor of the Gravelly Point site.
Briefly, they are as follows:
/. 1t is the most accessible to down.
town Washington of any site of COM
parable size and freedom from un-
controlled hazards.
g. Travel time between the central
business district and Gravelly Point
is less than one-half the average time
prevailing in other cities in the
United States.
S2,50O,000 Outside Cost.
g. A field of adequate size and of
the highest standards can be devel-
oped within a reasonable period for
not exceeding S2,500.000.
4. There is adequate area to extend
the airport for future needs.
5. Army engineers estimate the area
can be filled in from one to five years.
depending upon the rate of appropri-
ations.
6. The work can be co-ordinated
with deepening of the channels of the
Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, saving
on future appropriations.
z. The airport will be under Federal
control and regulations can Be adopt
ed and enforced to insure safe opera
tions there and at Boiling Field.
8 Precedent for the belief safe op-
erations can be conducted from the
Two airports is found in the safe op-
Grafton for a number of years of the
Army and Navy Airports at Boiling
Field and at Washington and Hoover
Fields.
9 AS between a commercial airport
and the military airport for Washing
ton. an intown, convenient location
for the comm ercial airport should
take precedence
10. The sentiments of the public and
civic agencies desiring an adequate
commercial airport for Washington
are united on the Gravelly Point
site. These. Delano said, include the
District Commissioners, the National
Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion, the District Army engineer, the
Board Of Trade, the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association, the Fed
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