Evening star., 1950-08-26
Truman Asks
S2,150,000 for
Airport Site
Seeks Appropriation
Before Lund Costs
In Area Go Up

h hSS Nv w
President Truman has asked
Congress to appropriate $2.150, 600
during this session to buy land
for new airport here before land
costs 60 up.
While no specific site has been
announced for the field, on which
final Congressional approval is
expected shortly. it has been
freely predicted the location will
be in nearby Virginia. Five sites
have been under consideration,
The President sent his request
for funds to Congress yesterday,
shortly after the House passed
the Senate-approved bill for the
$14 million public airfield in this
Metropolitan Area.
The Senate will be asked to
approve several minor House
amendments Monday, according
to Chairman johnson of the
Senate Commerce Committee
author of the measure. If the
Senate concurs, the measure will
go to the White House for the
Presidents signature.
Senator Johnson. Colorado
Democrat, said he is pleased with
the House action, and will call
up the measure for action on the
Senate floor Monday as early as
possible.
President Truman sent his rec
ommendation for the airport
funds to the Senate for considera-
ton in the supplemental appro-
priation bill. This measure was
slated for House action today and
is expected to go to the Senate
Monday.
Urgency for early action on the
funds was outlined by a letter
President Truman transmitted
from Elmer B. Stats. acting di-
rector Of the Budget Bureau.
"The number off feasible sites
for the airport is already very lin
ited," said the letter.
Delay in land acquisition may
result in higher land cost, eco
nomic loss to home owners in
newly constructed housing prof.
ects and the possible elimination
Of one or more sites as home con-
struction expands in the Wash
ington Metropolitan area"
The estimate was submitted to
Congress at this time, it was
pointed out, Gin order that early
action can be taken on the pur-
chase of a suitable site"
OF the $2,150,00O recommended,
the President earmarked $3.50,
900 for administrative expenses of
the Civil Aeronautics Authority,
charged with responsibility for
the project.
Further indications that the
site for the airport will be in
Virginia came yesterday during
House debate on the bill that
would authorize the new field.
Maryland members of the House
strongly opposed the legislation.
white Representative Smith, Dem
ocrat. Of Virginia told the House
it Is an open secret" that the
site would be in his home State.
On his motion the House ac-
cepted an amendment to the bill
to require the CAA to confer with
officials in the area selected be-
fore proceeding with purchase.
Sponsors of the measure en-
phasized no specific site has been
selected. The Anandale area has
been mentioned frequently, how
ever.
The bill authorizing the air
port has been pending since it
was introduced in the Senate in
February, 1949. by Senator john
son. 1t passed the Senate last
April.
The President, it was reported
yesterday. has been personally in
terested in the project since it
was first advanced.
The airport is needed, accord
ing to the CAA and sponsors in
both Senate and House. because
OF overcrowding at National Air
port and the prospects of a fur
ther increase in air traffic here.