Evening star., 1948-04-30
IS Sites Studied
For National
Air Museum
None in Downtown
D. c.; Army to Have
Wave Test Plant
By Nelson M. Shepard

A report on Is sites in the Wash
ington area being considered for
the recently authorized National Air
Museum was under study today by
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission.
The Public Buildings Administra-
ton was asked by the Smithsonian
Institution to help choose sites and
also to assist in financing the build
ing. authorized by Congress in Au-
gust, 1916. None of the sites under
considerati ton is in downtown Wash
ington, it was revealed today, and,
according to available information,
the National Airport is too distant
from the city to appeal to the
Smithsonian.
The planning commission, which
has a hand in these matters, was
studying the sites but it was not
believed any early decision would
be reached.
Carl w. Mitman, special assist
ant to the advisory board appointed
for the museum, said that aviation
material is being assembled now.
The collection will include American
and enemy planes of both World
Wars, Lindberghs Spirit of st. Louis
and eventually the pioneer plane
built by the Wright brothers which
England is returning to the United
States.
Wave Tests Planned.
Construction of the first large
laboratory in this country for test
ing scientifically the effect of waves
on beaches is being planned by the
Army Engineer Corps at the Dale
Carlia Reservation.
Mai. Gen. U. S. Grant III. re-
tired Army engineer and chairman
Of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, reported that
he and other Federal planners were
impressed by the site which they
visited late yesterday.
The tank" which the Army in
tends to build for its Beach Fro
sion Board will be 800 feet long and
20 feet wide. NCPPC did not take
any immediate action. but it is ex-
pected to approve both the plans
for the wave-teSting basin and the
site.
Such studies of beach erosion and
It's causes will be of the greatest
value in national defense as we'll as
for the protection of beaches.
Hospital Site Visited.
Planning officials visited the Naval
Observatory site for the proposed
new hospital center, construction of
which is TO start soon, and inspected
the grounds Of the adjoining Indus
trial Home School, which will be
used as city playground. They also
visited the Soldiers Home grounds
to see sites proposed in the pre-
viously announced program of ex-
pansion of the hospital and living
quarters of retired Army men.
At the Arboretum, on the Ana
costa River, the group made study
of the new area being acquired for
S374,000 to round out the Arboretum
tract. They also looked over the
sites Of some of the new buildings
that will be built there.
Satisfaction was expressed by
ECPPC with the agreement that was
reached between the District Gov
eminent and National Park Service
with respect to the proposed Ari-
zona avenue parkway in Northwest
Washington. The parkway, when
completed, will run along Canal
road and Van Ness street in the
Glover-ArChbold Park
The commission referred back to
the Army Department for further
study the site of the old Patterson
School, which is in line of one Of the
Boiling Field runways Members
are not satisfied with restrictions
proposed for the height of buildings
to be erected on the grounds.