Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-13
Meeting Called
On I'd Airport
Finance Plans
Area Government
Leaders Invited
To Participate

The Eisenhower administra-
ton, which has indicated ADAM
donment of plans to finance a
second Washington airport in
the Metropolitan Area, today in
vited representatives of the local
governments to meeting to see
If they are prepared to partici-
pate in the financing of its con-
struction."
A Commerce Department an
nouncement said Louis S. Roths-
child, Undersecretary Of Com
merce for Transportation, is ar
ranging a series Of informal dis
cussions during the week of April
25.
He said he has invited the
Governors Of Maryland and Vir-
| ginia; Commissioner Samuel
Spencer of the District of CO.
lumbia; Jesse s. Baggett, chair
man of the Prince Georges
County Board of Commissioners;
George M. Rowzee, jr.. chair
man Of the Arlington County
Board; G. Wallace Carper,
chairman of the Fairfax Board
Of County of Supervisors: Eldon
Colby, Mayor of Falls Church;
Marshall j. Beverley, Mayor of
Alexandria, and j. Grahame
Walker, president Of the Mont
gomery County Council.
Initial Talks Exploratory
Depending on the outcome
Of the initial exploratory discus
sions," Mr.. Rothschild said,
subsequent meeting may be
needed to discuss this matter in
greater detail"
The invitations were issued
in carrying out a White House.
approved statement March 16
which suggested use of Balti-
more's Friendship International
Airport as a temporary supple
ment to the overcrowded Wash
ington National Airport.
The White House-approved
statement indicated the Fed
eral Government might be will
ing to share in financing a Sec
ond Washington airport in the
metropolitan Area If local gov
ernments were interested.
Burke Funds Blocked
National airport, however,
was financed entirely by the
Federal Government, which also
had planned the finance con-
struction Of supplemental air
port at Burke, Va. After pur-
chase of about one-fourth of the |
needed 1000 acres, however, OPP
position by residents of the area
and their representatives in
Congress blocked any further
funds for the project.
At the same time Maryland |
lawmakers have agitated for
use of Baltimore's Friendship |
Airport, and opposed construc-
ton of the field at Burke.
The Fairfax County Board has
opposed construction of the
Burke field. No other local gov
eminent has, expressed any in
terest in the project.
The White House statement
of March 16, nevertheless, said
that "if the residents of this
area find that, for their maxi
mum convenience, the most de-
sirable solution would be a sep
arate new airport located in re-
lation to the specific require
ments Of Washington traffic, the
Federal Government will par
ticipate in the development of
plans and in the financing Of
such an airport"
Mr.. Rothschild said the dis
cussions he plans in the week
of April Is will be to determine
whether the local residents of
this area have a sufficient inter-
est in the development of a new
airport so as to be prepared to
participate in the financing Of
its construction"
The department is anxious to
Cooperate to the fullest extent
with local residents in this mat
ter" Mr.. Rothschild said.
AT this time" he added, 1--WE
have no fixed ideas as to the
most appropriate form and ex-
tent of financial participation as
between the Federal Government
and the State and local gov
/