Evening star., 1937-11-05
ROADS RESEARCH
PROJECT: PER|LED
BY AIRPORT PLAN
Arlington Plant Would Jeop-
ardize Use of GraveIIy
Point, is Contention.
PRESSURE is BROUGHT
TO DELAY LABORATORY
Contract Approved by Bureau
for $957 900 Structure Awaits
Wallace's Signature.

The fate of a $1,000,000 research
station for the Bureau of Public
Roads, planned for construction on 9
site at Abingdon, Va, adjoining the
Mount Vernon boulevard and overlook.
ing the proposed Gravelly Point air.
port area, remained in doubt today
as increasing pressure was brought
to bear on the Agriculture Department
to block the project.
Construction of the laboratory
would jeopardize the use of the
Gravelly Point site, now being filled
by Army engineers. as a proposed all
terminal for Washington, it Is con-
tended.
In view of the fact that President
Roosevelt, in a veto message to Con-
gress last Summer, recommended the
development of an airport at Gravelly
Point, efforts are being made to hold
up the laboratory project until Con-
gress can be given another opportunity
to act on the local airport matter.
Contract Not Signed.
H. S. Fairbank, acting director OF
the Bureau of Public Roads, admitted
contract approved by the bureau
october 27 providing for construction
of the necessary laboratory buildings
had not yet been signed by Secretary
Of Agriculture Wallace. Mr.. Fairbank
refused to comment on the reason fol
the delay.
Asked directly whether it was being
held up because of the Gravelly Point
situation, Mr.. Fairbank replied: 81
can't say whether it was held up for
that reason"
Mr.. Fairbank admitted, however, the
construction of the proposed labora-
tory at Abingdon had been held up for
many months because of the Gravelly
Point proposal When the District
Airport Commission, in its report to
Congress last Spring, rejected the
Gravelly Point site and recommended
development of an airport at Camp
Springs, Md, however, officials of the
Bureau of Public Roads considered
themselves released from the necessity
of holding up the project further.
The contract approved by roads
officials was with the McCloskey Co.
of Philadelphia, which submitted a
low bid of $957 900 for laboratory and
shop buildings, a boiler house, me-
chanical and electrical equipment and
an alarm system.
Planners Lead Opposition.
Officials of the bureau expressed a
belief the contract would be signed
within few days and that construc-
ton might begin Immediately there
after.
The fight against the construction
of laboratory buildings which might
later constitute hazards for airplanes
operating from Gravelly point is being
led, 1t is understood. by the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion, the Aero Club of Washington,
the Aviation Committee of the Wash
ington Board of Trade and the WASH
ington Air Derby Association.
John Nolen, jr., director of planning
OF the Park and Planning Commission,
admitted the commission was "negoti-
ating" with the Agriculture Depart
ment, but said any statement at this
time would be premature.
Chester H. Warrington, president of
the Aero Club and secretary of the
derby group, declared that in view
of the Presidents recommendation of
Gravelly Point, 'it would not be in
the interest of the public in general
to start construction of buildings
which would jeopardize the airport
plan" The buildings, he said, would
constitute a very serious hazard"
Clarence Miller, chairman of the
Board of Trade committee, said he
will notify Secretary Wallace that his
committee is opposed to construction
of the buildings.