Evening star., 1948-05-25
Alexandra Council
Refuses 10 Cut HEIGHT
OF Stacks Near Airport

" Wv
The Braddock Light and Power
Co. and the Civil Aeronautics Ad-
ministration today appeared dead
locked in their dispute over plans
for 195-foot smokestacks at the
power company's plant under con-
struction near National Airport.
The stalemate came yesterday
after the Alexandria City Council
refused to reduce the city's mini
mum height requirements for the
smokestacks. The six councilmen
present unanimously adopted q res
olution afiirming a ruling Of John
J. Kelly, city smoke control engi-
neer, that 1875 feet was the minimum
height for the smokestacks.
Council met with representatives
Of the power company and the CAA.
The opposing factions agreed that
the major question in the disput
appeared to be whether the City Of
Alexandra, in which the new plant
Is located, would permit the smoke
stacks to be lowered 80 feet.
Long Suffering Citizens.
1--WE are here to determine who
needs those 80 feet the most-the
City OF Alexandria or the CAA," !"
declared Joseph w. johnson, acting
director of the CAA Airport Plan
ming Service.
An answer to his question was
supplied by Mayor william wilkins,
who said the citizens Of Alexandra
had been long suffering" from the
noises Of low-flying planes. He said
it could be hoped that by erecting
the high smokestacks the planes
could be kept that much higher in
the air.
II have seen the planes 50 low
that I could nearly tell the color
Of the pilots eyes," the Mayor
added. Mr.. wilkins asserted that
the power plant plans had been
thoroughly discussed with the CAA
in 1912, and at that time there was
no serious objection raised. He
pointed out that the city had re-
duced its minimum height require
ments from 284 feet to 1875 feet.
The Mayor said that Alexandria
had appealed to the CAA on more
than one occasion to remedy the
low flying plane situation, but to
my knowledge and observation it
has never been remedied."
Planes Interrupt Farley.
During the discussion several
planes flew over the city hall. in
terrupting conversation momen-
tarily.
City officials said their major
concern over lowering the smoke
stacks is that gases from them
would constitute both nuisance
and a health hazard. The Virginia
Electric g. Power Co. was fined $3.50
last year for violating the city's
smoke-control regulations.
Mr.. johnson told the councilmen
the stacks would constitute hazard
to aviation. He explained the main
problem involved was instrument
flying in bad weather. He said con-
struction of the stacks would raise
the present safe ceiling Of the Ma
tional Airport, eliminating use OF
the airport under some weather
conditions and diverting air tramc
elsewhere. He said indications were
future aviation will require even
wider and lower approach zones.
Plans Changed Twice.
James F. Riley. power company
attorney, declared the firm twice
had changed plans in response to
Government requests. He said the
site of the plant was moved on one
OCCASION as requested by park ON
cials, and reiterated the statement
of the Mayor that original plans
for 2s4-foot snokestacks had been
reduced. He said an investment OF
approximately 100000 900 was In
volved in the portion Of the plant
now under construction.
At the conclusion Of the discus
sion, Mr.. johnson invited the city
councilmen for an airplane ride FOL
first-hand view Of how the smoke
stacks would affect landings and
takeoffS.
Mayor wilkins replied. I'm not
air minded"
1t was brought out during the ses-
sion that issuance Of q permit fol
the company to construct . water
intake from the Potomac has beer
withheld at the request Of the CAA
In answer to a question by Council.
man Everett Hellmuth, Mr.. John.
son said he did not know II thi,
could be withheld permanently.
Plans for construction Of tht
smokestacks were cited by witnesse.
before a Senate subcommittee yes.
terday in support Of q bill empow.
ering the Government to acquir.