Evening star., 1950-08-25
House Approves Bill
To Build New Airport
In Washington Area
Move Beaten, 226 to ia,
To Recommit Measure
To Commerce Committee
By Harold B. ROGERS


The House by voice vote today
passed the Senate-approved bill
authorizing a new $14 million
commercial airport for the Wash
ington area.
The vote on passage followed
Immediately after defeat. by a roll
call vote Of 226 to 124, of mo-
ton to recommit the bill to the
Commerce Committee.
The measure now goes back tt
the Senate. however, because o.
several minor House amendments
Sponsors of the legislation hope
the Senate will agree to the House
amendments, but the Senate coulo
call for a conference with the
House to iron out differences.
First Order of Business.
The bill was passed by the House
as one of the first pieces of bust.
ness after it convened. The legis.
lation was first order of business
because debate had been con.
cluded late yesterday.
No site has been selected for the
field, according to Representa-
tive Beckworth, Democrat. o1
Texas, who piIoted the measure
through the House.
The bill was introduced last yea1
in the Senate by Chairman John
son OF the Commerce Committee
1t passed the Senate April 10.
Sponsors Urge Action.
Sponsors of the measure de-
clared the project is necessary
especially because of overcrowded
air traffic at National Airport.
Opponents of the bill charged
the expenditure could not be JUS
tilted. because of the Korean sit
uation.
The possibility of using the new
Baltimore Friendship Airport, re-
Gently opened, was brought up
Sponsors. of the bill, however, con-
tended the Friendship field is in
adequate and too far away.
$ Military fields such as Anacos-
tia, Boiling and Andrews Air Force
Base are out Of the question at
this time for commercial use, il
was pointed out.
Smith Offers Amendment.
House amendments included
one offered by Representative
Smith, Democrat. of Virginia. His
amendment would require the
Civil Aeronautics Administration
to confer with officials of the local
government In any area selected
for the airport.
Mr.. Smith told the House it is
an "open secret" that the site of
the new airport would be some
where in nearby Virginia, COM
munity of many homes. He de-
clared it would not be fair to put
an airport down in the midst of
homes without consulting the
residents there.
Airport Congestion Cited.
Representative Beckworth of
Texas was Joined principally in
his fight by Representative Harris,
Arkansas Democrat, a member of
the District Committee, and au-
thor of the airport bill; Represen-
tative Wolverton. New Jersey Re-
publican, ranking minority men,
Der Of the Commerce Committee,
and Representative Heselton,
Massachusetts, Republican.
Congestion at Washington Ma
tional Airport is so bad, Mr.. Har-
ris declared, that he. and other
passengers once had to circle
around in a plane above the field
for an hour and 40 minutes be-
fore they could land.
The Marylanders, led by Demo-
cratic Representatives Fallon,
Sasscer and Garmatz, insisted the
Friendship field will be only a
Commute driv5from Washington
when the new Washington-Bal-
timore Parkway is opened. This
expressway has been authorized,
and funds to begin construction
are pending in Con4ress.