The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-27
SEEKS MORE
FUNDS FOR AIRPORT
Continued from Page One)


der the supervision of Col. Gillette.
The Citizens Airport committee
feels, he said, that concrete run
ways and modern lighting facilities
are minimum requirements if the
hopes here for an Army pilots
training base are to become real
tiles.
The county commissioners ap-
llcatlon has been forwarded to the
director of the CAA. Copies of the
application have been forwarded to
Senators Josiah W. Bailey a n d
Robert R. Reynolds and to Con-
gresham Bayard Clark.
The application follows:
1.-The Director.
Civil Aeronautics Authority,
washington, D. c.
Dear Sir:
Application is made for $780,
600 to match 5000, 900 WRA funds
and approximately 1000 from the
Army Engineers to complete Blue
thenthal Airport of this city and
county in order that it will be ac-
ceptable to the military authorities
for training purposes.
Negotiations have been under
way for eight months between the
officials of New Hanover County
and the WPA officials of this State
for funds to complete grading and
drainage o the Airport and for the
construction of runways. Negotia-
tions have been slow and long
drawn out to the detriment of this
locality and the Federal Govern
ment. The WPA requirements have
been difficult to meet in view of
their restrictions and the financial
condition of the county. Arrange
ments were made for the county to
supply material, including 'the
stone. 1t was found that the only
way in which this could be done
was for the county to take the
stone from its quarry with WPA
labor. The length of time required
for this, plus the time necessary
for drying the stone, extends the
period of completion to more than
six months from this date.
AS to the drainage of the field,
it has been determined by the En-
gineers to be excellent, provided
certain work is done in the way Of
clearing the main drainage stream
running along the field from snags
and other Instructions. This work
would normally come under the
Army Engineers. This office has
been informed by the local u. S.
Engineer Office that they would
undertake the removal of logs and
snags as their regular duty and at
the cost of approximately $4,000.
In addition to this, however, it
seems that there are certain stud
les necessary to determine tn e
flood line of the stream into which
the drainage bitches and storm
sewers drain. This is necessary in
order that they may be properly
placed to drain the surface waters
from the field to the stream in
question. The Amy Engineers are
familiar with this phase of the
problem and have certain techni-
cal information that will be desir-
able in connection with the work.
1--WE have information that leads
us to believe that the Army Air
Corps is anxious for an early COM
pletion of this project, in order
that they may use the field for
training purposes in this locality.
On several different occasions Of
ficers from the Air Corps have
been down and made investiga-
tons, but due to the uncertainty
of the completion of the work they
have been unable to make any
definite plans with reference to the
use of the field.
.In addition, the Assistant Sec
rotary, National Civil Aeronautics
Authority of the Department OF
Commerce, Mr.. Robert H. Hlnck-
ley, intimated to a group of people
from this city headed by Senator
Robert r. Reynolds of North Caro-
lima, that if the field were COM
pleted and in good condition, un-
questionably it would be used for
the training of college student pl-
lots.
1--WE are of the opinion, that this
field would serve a most useful
purpose in the defense of the coun
try. It is our desire that it be com
pleted at an early date, after
which any part or all of it will be
turned over to the government for
National Defense purposes.
"At this time it seems impossi-
BILE under normal procedure for the
field to be completed in less than
seven or eight months due to the
restrictions, requirements and nee
essary coordination that will be
necessary between tn different
agencies concerned. 1t is, there
fore requested that the sum OF
500, 900 from the Civil Aeronautlcs
Authority be made available to
match the 5000, 600 in WPA funds
and that the entire project be
turned over to the U. S. Army En-
gineers in order that the work may
he carried to completion without
further delay.
Respectfully,
addison Hewlett
chairman of the Board
of County Commission.