Evening star., 1938-05-05
GRAVELLY POINT
ACTION IS URGED
Gibson Tells Roosevelt
Immediate Development
Is Necessary.

Holding that improvement of Wash
ington Airport is not the solution OF
the Capitals flying field problem, Sen
ator Gibson, Republican, of Vermont
today wrote President Roosevelt that
definite action at an early date is
necessary if Gravelly Point is to be de-
veloped.
The Senator, long one of the leading
advocates for an adequate airport
here, pointed out that decision must
be made soon because of construction
Of laboratory buildings at the Gravelly
Point site.
In his letter to the President Sena-
tor Gibson, after calling attention to
the fact that the matter of an airport
for the District has been discussed
for II years and has been the subject
Of 36 Congressional hearings and two
investigations all of which have re-
suited in nothing constructive. said:
Not Solution to Problem.
Recently We enacted law provid-
ing for the closing of Military road
and thereby increasing the size of the
real hazards. This is not a solution
of the problem. The National Capital
should have an airport equal in its
facilities to any in the world.
1T is necessary that definite action
be taken at an early date if Gravelly
Point is to be developed, bcause of
the construction of laboratory build
ings now in prospect. The Depart
ment of Commerce is awaiting a de-
cision by Congress before taking action
on a petition of the Airline Pilots to
establish safety restrictions on the
Westinghouse Hoover Airport while it
is being used as an air station.
10 Reasons Advanced.
Some of the reasons which incline
me to favor Gravelly Point are
Il. Proximity to the business center
of the city
20. Facilities available for seaplanes
as well as for land planes.
'3. Large area available immedi-
ately, with almost unlimited expan-
sion possible at a later date as avia-
ton grows.
a. Almost all Of the land now
owned by Federal Government, bal
ance under option or control of River
and Harbor Section under War De-
partment.
IS. Perfect aerial approaches for all
kinds of weather. On three sides over
water, on the fourth over Federal
owned land.
g. Area is partially constructed
now as result of river and harbor
dredging. Further dredging will aid
in deepening and widening of river
channel and otherwise improving the
harbor.
~. Excellent traffic conditions to
the center of the city over Mount
Vernon boulevard and either the
Highway or Memorial Bridges.
"8. Ability to construct runways of
4,500 feet in all directions, as required
by the Bureau of Air Commerce in
their specifications for a super air
terminal
80. Because of its location, airport
could be constructed above the height
of the highest flood level.
40. 1t has the approval of such To-
cal civic, business and aeronautical
groups as the Washington Board of
Trade, the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association, the Federation of
Citizens Association, the Aero Club
of Washington, ETC."
ExnIofue prer,io,vS VoAn
At the same time Senator Gibson
made public letter from Mr.. Roose-
velt, dated April 21, in which he said:
Il was persuaded to give my ap-
proval to this legislation CLOSING of
Military road) as a means of imme-
diately reducing the operating hazards
at Hoover Airport. I indicated, how
ever, in my letter to Chairman May
of the House Military Affairs Com
mittee. that, while was willing, as
temporary measure, to have Military
road closed, this could not be con-
sidered as a final satisfactory solution
OF the problem and that further ac-
ton should be taken as soon as pos
sible to provide for the establishment
Of airports at Gravelly Point and
Camp Springs.
Il thank you for your letters and
for your continuing interest in the
plan for an airport at Gravelly Point"