Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-14
Decision Seen
Soon on Dispute
Over AirpOrts

II1u0OAC0 d1Au PAOiOAASSO GA
port situation is expected from
the Senate Appropriations
Committee this week or next
Monday at the latest.
The committee concluded
hearings last night on the issue
after nearly eight hours Of
testimony during which the
Burke proposal was defended
as a potential asset" and
criticized as a "boondoggle."
Whether the committees de-
cision would be clear cut or
merely another prolonging ac-
ton was debatable. But Chair
man Hayden. Democrat Of Ari-
IONA. said he expected that
there would be action this week
on the supplemental appropri-
ations bill. which includes the
House-asSessed funds for
Burke.
Today. the Burke issue was
a question of whether to fol-
low a House recommendation
to appropriate $12.5 million
with which to acquire more
land and start construction;
to further delay a final deci-
sion by going more extensively
into proposals that Chantilly,
Va, be considered q site; to
urge interim use of Baltimore's
Friendship airport.
ChantilIy Considered a Trap
The Chantilly argument is
giving some pause to Burke
advocates. Some of them con-
slider it a trap"
The real battle is expected
when the full Senate Appro-
priationS Committee gets to-
gether on the supplemental bill
because the committee repre-
sents three factionS-those for
Burke; others wanting the use
of Friendship and Chantilly
and those who want a final de-
cision Immediately.
Still to come is a report
from a special subcommittee
headed by Senator Holland,
Democrat of Florida. He feels
a reasonable trial should be
made of Friendship, at least a
Six-month test. but, he added
that he was only one member
of the committee"
In the Six-month Friendship
trial proposal, he found sup
port from the Maryland con-
gressional delegation and a
spokesman for the Baltimore
field.
Using a BuIIwhip"
William Boucher Sd, execu-
tive director of the Greater
Baltimore Committee. protest.
ed that advocates for Burke
had been using a bullwhip"
to get the supplemental air.
port.
j. Maynard Magruder, mem
Der of the Virginia Airport Fa-
cilitieS Study Commission, said
the commission favored a sup
Elemental airport in Virginia,
but was taking no position on
the site.
Mr.. Magruder added, how
ever, that he and Commission
Chairman Charles r. Fenwick,
'as individual residents of
Northern Virginia, urge that
the Congress concur in the Sc
lection of Burke as the air.
ports site.
Howard C. Drake. president
Of the Washington Board of
Trade, reiterated his organiza-
tons support of the Burke
site.
In a statement filed with the
committee. he said airline pas
sengers and employees would
have to pay $4.675. 900 addition
al annually in transportation
costs, If Chantilly were chosen.
He said SO per cent of the
people live in areas accessible
to Burke.
The Burke site is directly ac-
ceSsible by rail, Mr.. Drake said.
An airport at Chantilly would
remove from production land
largely used for dairying,
whereas the land at Burke is
largely unproductive at present
agriculturally. he added.
Senator Monroney, Democrat
of Oklahoma, a member of the
Senate Committee on Inter-
state and Foreign Commerce,
who has been a determined
advocate Of new airport here,
told the Appropriations Com
mittee yesterday that the Ma
tional Capital was flying on
borrowed time"
But he concluded that funds
should now be appropriated for
Burke or Chantilly.
Backs Friendship Now
In the meantime, Senator
Monroney said, for "safetys
sake" Congress should desiR-
nate Baltimore's Friendship as
a supplemental port.
Henry j. Rolls of Arlington,
chairman of a citizens COM
mittee for Burke Airport, said
the project would be a business
and industrial asset to Fairfax
County. He said the majority
of Northern Virginia residents
favored the Burke site.
Richard P. Ovenshine. men,
Der of the Fairfax County
Board Of Supervisors. said he
personally had no objection to
the Burke site.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Serving W0sh.. Va. end Nd.
For Over o QuoTteT Century