Evening star., 1937-09-19

ment as becomes one of the greatest
potential air centers of the Nation. If
it hesitates too long at this critical
point, however, traffic will move to
other nearby centers already pre-
pairing to receive it with open arms and
the present ludicrous status quo will
continue to aggravate itself.
IN talk several days ago with w. A
Patterson, president of United Air
lines asked him how he felt about
it all. Said Mr.. Patterson. with
somewhat wry smile: "As United Air
lines does not serve Washington di-
rectly and does not land planes at its
present airport, it is not my function
to pass expert opinion on the terminal.
However, I do know definitely from
the industry and from numerous trips
I have made in and out of the airport
that Washington cannot possibly be
served with four-engined airplanes
when they come on the airways next
year On United's coast-to- coast route
the communities where we expect to
land these four engined planes now
nave, or will have, runways of 5000
feet or more, clear of distractions at
the ends. On at least three of our
coast-to-coast fields we will have run
ways 1000 to 5000 feet long, meeting
in every way the demands which will
be made by the ur-engined, 40
passenger, 30-ton transports United
expects to be operating in 1898.
Adequate airports for the planes
OF tomorrow, and even for those of
today, constitute one of the major
problems of the airlines."
In view of President Roosevelt's
statement concerning Gravelly Point
in his veto Of the Washington Hoover
improvement bill. a further discus
sion with j. F. Victory, secretary of
the National Advisory Committee for
aeronautics, is definitely to the point.
At his office in the Navy Building yes
terday Mr.. Victory told me: What
ever may be the needs of the future in
the way of airport facilities for the
Nations Capital. one thing is clear at
this time, and that is that Washington
needs improved airport facilities for
modern air transportation. 1t may
need one or more relatively large
airports, which could be located several
miles from the city, but it needs. as
soon as can be provided, an adequate,
safe airport conveniently located with
respect to the business district.
HE Westinghouse Hoover Airport
site" Mr.. Victory continued,
now having only two runways of
4,20o and 5000 feet, respectively, can,
under the most favorable circum-
stances. involving filling in the present
lagoon. obtaining land now used as an
agricultural experimental station, clos
ing Military road and building new
road, bedmproved only to the extent of
providing four runways of varying
lengths, only one Of which would be as
long as the minimum of 1000 feet
now required for large transports; and
the field would still be without clear
approaches, without seaplane facil-
tiles, and subject to flood conditions.
The Washington Hoover site could not
be made good airport for modern air
transports without proflibitive expense.
Washington will never have such a
central airport until the Gravelly
Point site is developed For an airport
in or near the District of Columbia,
Gravelly Point is the largest suitable
area. 1t is the only available site
which has ideal approaches from all
directions. 1t is the only available
site on which runways of suitable
length can be constructed in all direc-
tions. 1t affords facilities for sea-
planes 1t is within six minutes of the
business center of the City of WASH
ington. An ideal airport can be
constructed at Gravelly Point for less
money than 1t would cost to acquire
and improve the Washington Hoover
site. The development of Gravelly
Point will automatically deepen and
widen the channel in the Potomac
River. And" Mr.. Victory concluded,
the Gravelly Point project comedies
with approved plans for the develop
ment Of the park and boulevard sys-
tenn OF the Nations Capital"