Evening star., 1951-08-29
Alexandra Curb
On Low Planes
Voted byCounciI
Preliminary Approval
Given Ordinance
AS Protests Fail

An ordinance requiring planes
to stay at least 1000 feet above
Alexandria has been given prelim-
mary approval by the City Coun-
Gil.
At meeting last night, council-
men brushed aside as an old story
protests that the matter should be
given further study.
Another objection that "the
plane Just can't do it" brought
from Councilman Marshall j. Bev-
erly, who proposed the ordinance,
a retort that it is up to the air.
lines to meet that problem.
The councils action last night
was unanimous. Final considera-
ton of the measure is set for Sep
|tember IL.
Report Due.
Meanwhile, a Civil Aeronautics
Committee is expected to make its
report on the problem. w. B.
Sprague, the committee chairman,
said the studies will be completed
before the next council meeting.
The proposed ordinance not
only sets a minimum altitude for
planes but also forbidS circling
over the city. Where possible.
planes using National Airport and
other airports near the city would
be required to take off and land
so as not to fly over the city.
When it is necessary to fly over
Alexandria. the planes would be
required Ito enter and leave the
air space above the city in di-
rect line and shall not veer their
course or circle"
The ordinance would not apply
to aircraft owned by the Federal
Government.
Acrobatic flying would be pro-
lhibited
$500 Fine Provided.
Proposed penalties for violation
are a $500 fine or 90-day jail
sentence or both.
Mr.. Beverly said the ordinance
is necessary to reduce noise from
aircraft and to give residents pro-
lection from possible crashing Of
planes flying a few hundred feet
above the city. e
Last Sunday, the councilman
reported, a plane circled lower
than the George Washington Ma
sonic Memorial, which is 333 feet
high.
Dennis Ayers, attorney, repre-
tsenting the Airline Pilots Asso-
citation, said he believes the pro-
posed ordinance is unenforceable.
Larry Gates of the association
asked the council to delay action
until the national defense emer-
lgency is over, because SO many
pilots are engaged in afrlifts to-
Korea and Berlin. Large planes
tcannot meet the standards in the
new ordinance, Mr.. Gates said.
In other action, the council
gave preliminary approval to an
Ordinance authorizing use of pris-
oners for public works projects in
the city.
Laboratory Approved. +
| A special use permit was grant,
ed for opening an electronics re-
search and development labora-
tory in the rear of Mason Hall
apartments. Councilman Leroy S.
Bendheim proposed. approval as
"a municipal service to the United
States and the other United Ma
tionS."
Gerald j. Glassman, technical
assistant to the Arlington County
Planning Commission, urged the
council to join other Metropolitan
Area jurisdictions in supporting a
drive to integrate bus service.
Councilman Albert Smoot, who
was acting mayor because Mayor
Franklin Backus is on vacation.
asked for a report by a council
committee on Mr.. Glassman's
proposal.
Councilman Roy Bragg said he
fears new system of bus trans
fers might make it easier for Alex
andria residents to shop at new
department stores now being built
in Arlington.