Evening star., 1955-03-18
A MuddIed, Useless Airport Report

AS If WaShingtons airport problem
were not sufficiently confused, the ad-
visory memorandum announced yesterday
by President Eisenhower, and bearing his
approval, makes the confusion complete.
The memorandum, signed by Budget
Director Hughes, Commerce Secretary
Weeks and Air Force Secretary Talbot,
gives one the impression that the need for
second airport is yet to be determined,
that the decision is largely local matter
and that the Federal Government is little
more than an interested bystander, willing
to help with plans and some money, if re-
quested. Meanwhile, the Government will
aid in relieving congestion at the present
National Airport in various ways and will
sanction use of Baltimore's Friendship Air
port as supplemental facility"
How else is one to interpret this puzzling
language: IF the residents of this area
find that, for their maximum convenience,
the most desirable solution would be sep
arate new airport located in relation to the
specific requirements of Washington traffic,
the Federal Government will participate in
the development of plans and in the f1nanc-
ing of such an airport. The balance of the
cost should be financed in the same manner
as in all other civilian airport construction
in the continental United States-ie., by
the affected communities and the air trans
port industry?
Wholly ignored are the facts that the
Federal Government, itself, is the most i'm
portant resident" of this area, that the
Federal Government Through both the ex-
ecutive and legislative branches) already
at od hot arxy oir ic
vital to public safety and to its own "con-
venience," and that, in recognition Of the
urgent need and of its obligations in the
situation, Congress, on recommendation of
the Civil Aeronautics Administration and
other Federal agencies and officials, already
has authorized the building at Federal ex
pense Of a second air terminal here. 1t was
under this authorization that the CAA
bought more than 1000 acres of land near
Burke, Virginia, at cost of 100000. It
still has the land.
Are all the studies and policy-making
and decisions and legislation that have gone
before to be wiped off the books, so to speak,
and a brand-new approach SubStituted-an
approach based on an assumption that "if"
local interests consider that an additional
airport is required, they should get together
eff they so desire"-as the memorandum
puts 1t? The conference, according to the
statement, would include Officials of State
and local governments in this area" and
would be for the purpose of discussing with
Federal officials problems of local and in
dustry financing of construction of second
airport" If this means that Virginia and
Maryland in addition to the District, are
to be called on to help pay for another air.
port in the Metropolitan Area, the howls
from the two States will be even louder
than those emitted over the Burke project.
The mention of Friendship in the men,
orandum as a possible supplemental air.
port" may appease Maryland politicians,
who have waged never-ceasing battle
toward that end. But, as the CAA, the
Doolittle Commission and other authorities
have asserted, Friendship is too far away
. from Washington for duty as permanent
auxiliary terminal What is needed right
now is a nonpolitical realistic airport de-
ciSion, with due regard for expert studies,
recommendations and legislation already
of record. The President was poorly advised
by his committee. 1t is not too late for him
to reconsider his Endorsement of the mud
died memorandum submitted to him.