Evening star., 1947-08-05
Board Presses
Drive 10 Use
Airport Fund
$132,964 Allotted
To District Under
Federal Program

Federal Program
The Junior Board of Commerce
will begin at once an intensive
campaign aimed at utilization Of
the $l32,964 allotted the District
under the Federal-aid airport pro-
gram, Russell Barry, chairman Of
the Aviation Committee, announced
today.
The amount, including $77,955
carried over from the last fiscal year,
appears in the revised national pro-
gram approved yesterday by Civil
Aeronautics Administrator T. p.
Wright. To be used 1t must be
matched by an equa, amount from
District funds.
The CAA program calls for the
construction or improvement of 908
airports at an estimated cost to
the Federal Government of $66, ,569,-
$50. State and local sponsors are
to provide an additional $40 ,235 ,095
under share-the-cost arrangements.
NO FunuS on Hand.
The District has not submitted
any projects for approval under
the plan, although private flyers
groups have argued the Commits
sioners should help them obtain
better facilities.
Engineer Commissioner Gordon
r. Young has pointed out the Dis
trict has had no funds with which
to match the Federal grant.
I'VE intend to go all out in try
ing to get something DONE" Mr..
Barry said. I'VE are going to try
to build fire under some one, be-
cause there's no good reason why
this money should not be used"
The decision to launch a campaign
for utilization of the allotment was
taken by the Board of Directors Of
the Junior Board last night, he re-
vealed.
Flying Clubs to Be Approached.
Mr.. Barry said his COMMITTEES
would approach Washington area
flying clubs and seek to form a rep
resentative delegation to visit the
Commissioners.
In the near future, we plan to "a
before them and try to get their
help in this civic project" he said.
He deplored the situation which
forced Washington pilots to 60 to
Maryland or Virginia for their
aerial recreation and said a site for
an "air park" or field for private
aircraft, could be found in the Dis
trict.
Mr.. Barry pointed out Kingman
Island in the Anacostia River had
been suggested by the CAA as an
acceptable spot.
None of the money available for
the District would be applied to
improvements at National Airport,
which are covered by separate
" Fne feviSions in the Nationwide
program announced yesterday pro-
vide for consolidation of the $45.-
100000 appropriated for the 1947
fiscal year and the $32, 500, 900 voted
for the 1o48 fiscal year.
Backlog of $50 Millions.
Mr.. Wright said the CAA has on
lie a backlog of about $3.50, ,000, 900
worth of project requests. He ex-
planned they are being handled on
he basis of "aeronautical necessity"
The Federal Government particle
bates to the extent of so per cent
IT the cost of buildings and equip
nent and Is per cent of the cost Of
and.
Virginia will receive 1894 1864 In
Federal aid for seven airport prof.
'cts in the 1918 program.
Senator Robertson, Democrat, OF
Virginia said yesterday he was ad-
Used by the CAA the tentative al
ocations for the State included
.unds for four airports which re-
'eived no allocations during the
year ended June 80, 1947, when
unds were devoted to smaller ports.
These are Richard E. Byrd,
It Richmond; Norfolk Municipal,
Staunton Municipal and Roanoke
Tentative Allegations.
The tentative ALLEGATIONS include:
Byrd, Richmond, $3.50, 900 for con-
truction of apron 300 by 400 feet:
axiways, 1000 feet; clearing and
turflng, auto-parking area
md roads.
Norfolk Municipal, 100000, for
of apron 300 by 400
eet; taxiways, 1000 feet; clearing,
,rading,' turfing, roads and auto
,arking area.
Staunton Municipal, $50 600; grad
ng, drainage and landing strips.
Roanoke Municipal, $124,064 ex-
ension of one runway and lighting
md access roads.
Patrick Henry, Newport News,
200, 900; clearing, grading, drainage,
encing, runway, taxiway and apron
,aving, lighting, administration
'uilding, auto parking access roads.
Orange County, $30,000, for grad