Evening star., 1938-08-17
STUDY PROMISED
0NDUA[ A|RPORTS
TO SERVE CAPITAL
Lanham Sees Good Points in
Argument for Suburban
and Near.in Fields.
COMMITTEE PICTURED
AS NEUTRAL ON SITES
Camp Springs Location for Long
Flight Terminal Seen as
Possible Choice.
By WILL p. KENNEDY.


Development of two airports for the
National Capital-one large sub
urban terminal for long distance
flights to be located some 10 miles
from the city, such as the Camp
Springs site in Southern Maryland;
the other a close-by field for short
flights, such as the Washington
Hoover Field, enlarged-wilr be given
serious consideration as soon as Con-
gress reassembles. This is thought
by some of the leaders in the House
to be the best solution of the Capital
City airport problem.
Construction of a direct speed high
way for quick transportation Of air
line passengers from the suburban
terminal is considered an essential
part of the development program.
Chairman Lanham Of the House Com
mittee on Public Buildings and
Grounds said today that such pro-
gram will be considered by his COM
mittee, which already has held ex-
tensive hearings on the various sites
proposed for the Capital airport, which
it is said will be made the finest in
the world" He expressed the hope
that an early decision can be reached,
because Washington needs a great
airport right now and the need will
be constantly growing with the steady
growth of the city and the progressive
expansion of airway traffic"
All Sites Studied.
While other House committees, such
as Military Affairs, have been pushing
for passage bills designed to establish
the airport at some preferred site,
the Public Buildings and Grounds
Committee, to whose Jurisdiction such
legislation properly belongs. has been
going ahead steadily with hearings
and study of all sites proposed. Most
of the members of the Lanham COM
mittee have personally inspected these
sites on the ground and from the air
They have not committed themselves
on any particular sites.
"Our committee will take up this
question as of pressing Importance
just as soon as Congress organizes"
said Mr.. Lanham. I'VE may find We
must have expert technical testimony
on some phases, such as fog from the
river, but do not see any need for
further lengthy hearings. The double
airport plan, for a large suburban
terminal and a close-in field, has
been strongly advocated and will GER
tainly be given our best study.
Two New Sites Suggested.
"Our committee is not pre-disposed
to any particular site." Mr.. Lanham
emphasized.
If the double airport plan Is de-
cided upon, Chairman Lanham is of
the opinion that the choice for the
close-by field would lie between the
present Washington-H Hoover Airport,
to be enlarged, and the Gravelley
Point site which would take years to
develop because of the elapse of time
necessary for fills to settle. He is
inclined to think that the Camp
Springs site might be decided upon
for development as the larger air.
port for distance flights.
The question Of options and ad-
vanced prices on this site raised in
the closing hours Of the last session
does not frighten him, MrLanham
said, because when the Government
gets ready to acquire that site it can
do so by condemnation. He said that
some members Of his committee are
impressed with the advantages Of the
Suitland site for a near-in airport.
Testimony before his committee.
Mr.. Lanham said, indicated that there
is difficulty regarding the proposed
enlargement of the Washington
Hoover airport due to the fact that
Arlington National Cemetery has
rights to part of the present Arling-
ton Experimental Farm of the De-
partment of Agriculture which would
be required for the contemplated en-
largement Of the present airport.