Evening star., 1951-08-12

the Commission concurred heartily
with the Civil AeronauticS Ad-
ministration's basic reasons for
the site selection and envisioned
thriving development of the area.
At the same time, Secretary
Sawyer rejected, for lack Of
Sufficient reason" a petition for
a public hearing on the Burke site.
In a letter to Charles F. O'Neall,
attorney for the Burke Airport
Relocation Committee, the Secre-
tary said the issue had been aired
at number of public meetings as
we'll as in the press and that his
representatives had met frequently
with any citizens who wanted to
discuss the question.
O'Nean Renews Attack.
But the ink was hardly dry on
Secretary Sawyer's letter before
Mr.. O'Neall renewed the attack
with pledge to furnish further
specific reasons which prove that
Burke is inappropriate for devel-
opment as an airport"
Mr.. Sawyer's announcement of
the final decision was accompanied
by memorandum written by Civil
Aeronautics Administrator C. F.
Horne answering in detail the
protests filed by Burke citizens.
The administrator character
lied as "a complete misstatement
Iof fact" the citizens allegation
that CAA did not consult the
Fairfax County Board of Super
Ivisors about the site and had
merely told them what CAA in
tended to do after swearing the
board to secrecy.
Secrecy Oath Charged.
To counter this, Mr.. ONeall
last night released what he said
was a photostatic copy of a let
ter from County Supervisor E.
IC. Sheads which declared that
before CAA informed the board Of
1.-The Burke selection the super
viSorS were sworn to secrecy "and
I'VE were not given time in which
to make any study as to the
suitability of the site nor as to
its possible impact on the vicin-
ity. In fact, the public announce
ment of the Burke site selection
was made the day after the CAA
told us of its decision"
Secretary Sawyer had written
Mr.. O'Neall that he saw no suf-
flcient reason for further public
hearings. He wrote the attorney:
You, I am sure, will agree that
this matter has been thoroughly
discussed at number of public
meetings and in the press and my
Representatives have met frequent
Ily and without any hesitancy with
any citizen or group of citizens who
have wanted to discuss it."
Sawyer Acts Quickly.
The planning agency's opinion
on land acquisition and compre-
hensive plan conformity in the
area is required by law and its
action was green light for Sec
retary Sawyer.
He announced that he was ask
ing the Attorney General to pro
ceed Immediately with the aquisi-
ton of the land"
AS selected by CAA, the 4,500-
acre site will be 171a miles south
west of Washington and about five
miles west of the high-speed Shir-
ley highway: bounded at one
corner by the town of Burke and
on the north by the Southern
Railroad tracks. 1t will displace
about 100 families and ultimately
spread two 10,000-foot runways
north and south; 7,000-foot strip
east and west.
S14 Million Is Minimum Cost.
The project has a $14 million
price tag on it Ito provide only
those facilities for which there
will be need for the air traffic
forecast to exist in 1885," accord
ing to CAA Administrator C. F.
Horne. The twin 10,000-foot run
ways are not included in the $14-
million estimate.
In it's report, the Planning Com
mission declared the Burke site
lies well beyond the existing ur-