Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-12
Back BroyhH

Your editorial OF May 81 en-
titled Blame Mr.. Broyhill" is
so rankly unjust that I feel
compelled to protest it.
Your editorial writer has
completely overlooked two very
important matters:
(a) In a democracy, Con-
gress makes the laws and it is
the duty of the Federal adj
illustrative agencies to oper-
ate within the scope Of those
laws.
ID The best interests of
the people of Fairfax County
and the 10th district of Vir-
GINA are not necessarily iden-
tical. on this airport question.
to the best interests of the
people of Washington. D. C.
With respect to item ca
your writer would have us be-
lieve that If a Federal agency
says Burke is the best place
for a second national airport"
all Congressmen should adopt
that belief irrespective of the
facts. Further than that. your
writer assumes that the CAA
Tin this caSe) can go right
ahead and operate National
Airport in any manner it
chooses and fix the blame on
Congress If an accident should
occur at National.
It should be remembered
that CAA has all the power 1t
needs to control air traffic at
National Airport. If air traffic
threatens to develop beyond
the capacity of National to
handle it safely, it is the clear
duty Of CAA to divert a por-
ton Of it elsewhere. In view
Of Friendship Airport's prox-
unity and open capacity CAA
is going to have a difficult time
convincing anyone that it had
no alternative but TO crowd
National beyond its safe ca
pacity.
When it comes to the mat
ter Of Virginia's best interest,
and completely ignoring the
Objectionable noise and danger
inherent in any airport. let
me say that based upon the
shocking operational losses at
National over the past six
teen years. the State of Vir-
ginia would have to have
rocks in its head" to accept
National Airport as a gift.
AS the Democratic nominee
TO Congress from Virginia's
10th district in 1854, I am not
without reservation as to the
quality of Mr.. Broyhill's repre-
sentation on other important
matters, but insofar as this
airport question is concerned,
1t is a pleasure for me to agree
with him in opposing a Sec
ond airport at Burke.
John c. Webb,
Member. Virginia House Of
Delegates.
Editors note: National did
lose money in its early years.
But it is making a profit now
of about 81 million a year. II
It can be acquired by the State
for Sis million. as has been
suggested, 1t seems to us that
Virginia would have to have
"rocks in its head" not to take
1t over.)
The Stars incorporate at
tacks on Mr.. Broyhill over
the Burke airport issue dis
tress me.
Does The Star feel that
adopting the 1T will all be
your fault" routine is helping
Washington out Of its airport
dilemma?
Your latest editorial pur-
sues the strange logic that
terrible hazards exist at GRAY
ely Point but that no hazard
is great enough to Justify
few more minutes ride In a
limousine car or taxi to reach
a safer airport. since such ac-
ton might result in no air
port at Burke! Therefore, let
the hazards continue while an
airport is planned. approved
and built nearby.
What puzzles me is the in
tensity Of the feeling that no
site but Burke will do. The
Air Force, in the face Of daily
lessening of Importance Of
manned aircraft to defend
cities. summarily rejected any
use Of Andrews Field. Yet no
one has called down RESPONSE
bility for future accidents on
the heads of the good gen.
erals.
Could there be some other
force behind Burke as the
zone and only" airport site?
The quickness with which all
ternate plans are brushed aside
makes one wonder.
I am one Of Mr.. Broyhill's
constituents and am building
a new home near Burke. so I
am not a disinterested party.