Evening star., 1944-07-02
BY w. H. shippen. Jr.

A long look into future Of the Are Of
Flight is offered Warrington BY the
new international Air Terminal, one Of
the most complete in the world.
Every possible facility will be assem-
bled under one roof to speed the fow
OF passengers, mail and cargo along the
Air Transport Commands l3S 900 miles
OF air routes girdltng the globe and
criss-crossing the oceans.
After the war this terminal for Z
world sky port, with its immigration.
customs and medical services for inter-
national travellers. will be turned over
to the Civil Aeronautics Administration
to supplement the domestic facilities at
the National Airport.
World War II, however destructive In
other quarters. is rapidly establishing
Washington as . center for global air
trafac. Special missions originate here
to all parts Of the world and passengers
from Brisbane or Running are checked
through the customs as I matter Of
routine.
In fact the Age Of Flight, In its In
ternational sense, is already here. Mill
tary censorship obscured the details and
the picture becomes clear to the public
only after lapse Of time. Few realized
the implications behind another new
building rising on Gravelly Point, any
more than they could guess at the des-
tinations OF the giant, four-engined
transports whose battle paint quickly
blended them into the Capitals horizon.
Ready in August
The modern, $500 900 terminal should
be- ready for occupancy in August.
Meanwhile, the work of the airports
Army air base goes forward in offices
and hangers formerly occupied by the
airlines. The commanding ofYicer Is
Col. Frank H. Collins, former chief of
staff Of the ATCs Africa Middle East
wing.
The colonel and his aides must b
diplomats As well as executives on oc-
casion. Through the base pass some of
the worlds most important people
"V1PS" is the airport crews word for
them. They're very important peo-
pie" and when they are forced to wait
they can have about anything they ask
for to keep them happy except 4 de-
parture time which does not coincide
with the transport captains judgment.
Recently q world-renowned English
man. fretting over the delay. was asked
II he would like to take a gift home to
his wife. He selected = modest box of
chocolates. But can't we get YOU
something else. sir?" inquired an ofY,cer.
Something hard to find in England?"
The VIP thought for while. then ex-
claimed: Eyes. by Jove! You can get
me an egg beater!"
The ATC, 1t is said, always delivers.
But that one almost. stumped the boys.
They searched Alexandria and Arling-
ton County. where stores were closing
for the day. It was time and space"
problem Of supply.
Success at Last
Their luck held, however, and they
raced up to the departing transport
waving the egg beater. The VIP left
Washington with = happier outlook on
the whole situation. e.
He ought to have been happy. said
one of the boys II think he must have
gotten the last egg beater In Alex
andria!"
The ATC, commanded by Mai. Gen.
Harold L. George, is building into the new
terminal many Lessons learned the hard
way in three years Of operating inter-
national air trafic on a scale never
dreamed of before the war.
Provisions will be made for efhcient
handling of high-priority passengers,
mail, cargo and war wounded.
Through the terminal will move spe-
cial military. diplomatic and Federal
departmental missions, as well as on
GERS and soldiers whose orders call for
an abbreviated time space" handling