Evening star., 1937-09-09


impossible because Federal Cop
eminent ouns adjoining land.
This fact, together uith pres
ence OF Military road across the
main airport runUdy, lea to is
issuance OF an ultimotum by pilots
tt0o months ago that they Uould
refuse to continue TO fin from
Washington Airport unless hazards
mere removed. Congress passed
Copeldnd-Mdy bill authorizing use
OF Federal land for enlargement of
airport. BIZ 10as Detoed By Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
Washington Airport, worlds fourth
busiest air terminal, apparently faced
early abandonment today as three
major air transport lines operating
out of Washington prepared to move
all their operations to Boiling Field
The lao acres comprising Washing
ton Airport and the former Hoover
Field, it was understood, will be sold
as soon as possible.
Following an announcement late
yesterday by Secretary of Commerce
Roper that the War Department has
authorized full-time use of Boiling
Field by the air transport lines, prep
arations were begun at once for trans
fer Of flying operations.
The three airlines are faced with
the immediate necessity of construct
ing temporary terminal facilities at
Boiling Field at an estimated cost of
about $4,000. Authorization for such
construction, including waiting rooms,
ticket Offices and communications IA
cilities, has been granted by the War
Department. Lighting of the new
Army field for night flying opera
tons, however. will not be completed
before October 10. The fate of night
transport operations out of Washing
ton during the interval between the
transfer of service to Boiling Field
and that time remains to be settled.
Solomon Sees Blow to Aviation.
Declaring abandonment of Wash
ington Airport would set back air
transportation development for sew
eral years, Samuel j. Solomon, man
sger of the airport, said today that
operation of the field will be con-
tinued as long as possible.
He said no fair offer for all or part
of the property would be refused, but
that in the meantime full airport
operation would be continued. Pres
ent contracts between the airlines and
the airport could not be terminated
before next July, he said.
Solomon said the National Airport
Corp. has had an offer from a private
group which proposes to construct a
stadium on part of the property.
He said he could give no further de-
tails concerning the project.
Washington Airport has been in
operation for many years without ac-
cident and probably could continue
IN safe operation indefinitely under
existing regulations, Solomon said.
The record at Boiling Field cannot
be any better. We can only hope that
1t will be as good"
Study Extension.
Although the airport has been Of
Tered for sale, airport officials still are
going ahead with a survey looking
toward extension of a cross-runwav
across the Pennsylvania Railroad
branch line into vacant land to the
west of the field, Solomon announced.
This survey, he said, may reveal the
possibility of converting the present
airport into an adequate terminal. The
survey, however, will not interfere
with sale Of the field at once if a GUS
toner is found, he said.
Areas for construction Of temporary
air terminal and service buildings at
new Boiling Field were designated at
the north and south ends of the future
hangar line by Col. william o. Ryan.
Air Corps, commanding officer of the
field. at conference with airlines rep
resentatives today.
Col. Ryan was told that the air
lines will continue to operate as long
as possible from Washington Airport
and probably will not consider out
right transfer to Boiling unless Wash
ington Airport is sold and closed. In
the meantime, however, emergency
operations will be conducted at Boiling
Field whenever cross winds at Wash
ington Airport make the long runway
unusual, under the new Commerce
Department regulations.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker,
general manager Of Eastern Air Lines,
advised last night that National Avia-
ton Corp. had offered Washington
Airport for sale, made an appeal for
Federal purchase Of the property and
for its continuation as an airport.
Sees Dangerous Situation.
A forced move to Boiling Field of
the air transport lines. Rickenback cker
warned, would bring into conflict two
different types Of operations. "a stu
alton that is always dangerous, par
ticulsrly in view Of the fact that
Washington Airport traffic is possibly
the heaviest in the world
Fog hazards at the new Boiling
Field, Rickenbacker pointed out. are
comparable to those which would be
encountered on the proposed Gravelly
Point site. recommended for develop
nlent by President Roosevelt in MS
veto message on the Copeland May
bill TO enlarge Washington Airport.
"A general movement Of all air
lines to Boiling Field" Rickenbacker
said, "is certain way to develop COM
mercial air transports nuisance
value TO the Army, who, particularly
at this time. should not be inter-
rupted in training operations because
OF pressure of scheduled operations
During Eastern Air Lines peak
season this year there will be, on this
line alone, so daily arrivals and de-
partures. There are no accommoda-
tons at Boiling Field. such as WE'LL
equipped passenger stations and res
taurant facilities. At the present
time, due TO repair work south Of
Anacostia Bridge, il is necessary to
drive out the Pennsylvania Avenue
Bridge and then circle around INTO
Boiling Field, the trip taking some
30 minutes"