Evening star., 1937-02-03
RIVER FRONT FILL
At AIRPORT BEGUN
$4,000 Cubic Yards of Earth
to Make Landscaping
Possible in Spring.

Ausmenting two construction pro-
grams totaling Sl50000, Washington
Airport now is undertaking a new
program of improvement along the
waterfront areas of the airport In
yoIving the placing Of $4,000 cubic
yards OF earth fill, it was learned
today.
The fill is being placed along the
shore line OF Boundary Channel from
the boat house to the boundary Of
the airport adjoining the Arlington
experimental farm and will be fol-
lowed in the Spring by a landscaping
program which will in effect blend
the airport into the Potomac River
Parkway.
At the same time extensive improve
ment of the field draining system Is
under way in the old Roachs Run
area near the culvert under United
States Highway No. /. This drainage
work is expected to prevent any fu-
ture trouble from the backing up OF
water in the old run.
Not Intended as Levee.
The fill along Boundary Channel
Is not a levee construction, it was
explained by Samuel J. Solomon. air.
port manager, but is intended to NIL
in gullies and washes and to level OF
the river frontage of the airport so
that a comprehensive landscaping
program can be undertaken.
This program will complete the
landscape treatment of both shores
Of Boundary Channel, destined to be-
come an important recreational water
way. Columbia Island forms the other
shore of the channel.
In the meantime progress on per-
manent District airport legislation re-
mains virtually at a standstill at the
Capitol. The District Airport Com
mission, created last year with in
port site for Washington and to re-
port its findings to the present Con-
gress. is in recess awaiting the ap-
preparation by Congress Of $4,000 for
the use of the commission.
No announcement has been made OF
the use to which the funds are to be
put. but 1t is rumored that major
part Of the money is to be used for
the taking Of options on land to be
recommended by the commission for
purchase.
Deadlocked for 10 Years.
Should this be true, it is assumed
IN aviation circles it would indicate
that the commission intends to rec
ommend a site other than Gravelly
Point or Washington Airport. A dead
lock between these two sites has pre-
vented enactment Of local airport leg
1slation for 10 years. No option
money would be needed for the Grav-
ely Point site. which now Is Federal
property, except for a small strip
along the Virginia shore Of the Po-
torac. It is not believed that there
would be any necessity for taking an
option on Washington Airport, since
there is no immediate danger of its
being Withdrawn from use for airport
purposes,
Although commission members have
declined to make any comment 1t
Is understood there is some commits
sion sentiment in favor Of a site in
Maryland near Pennsylvania avenue
southeast extended.
The $4,000 item requested by the
commission is contained in the def
cheney appropriation bill passed by
the House and now before the Senate.
Washington Airport also is pro-
eeeding with construction Of new,
permanent restaurant building to re-
place the former frame building,
which has been razed. The new build
Ing is expected to be ready in time
for Spring business and will stand in
the center Of a wide, Handicapped
area merging into the riverside park
way.
The Sl50,000 programs have included
extensive grading and drainage work,
construction of paved runways, taxi
strips, aprons and loading plat
form, Encouragement of the terminal
area. rebuilding Of the field food
L