The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, April 1, 1929, Page 10

' PAGE TEN “ THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE By RODNEY DUTCHER (NEA Service Writer) Washington, April 1.—The one city in the United States which ought to have an adequate, safe and exemplary airport hasn't even an approach to anything of the sort. In Washington, the national cap- ital, even the army and navy are without decent landing fields. Civil, military and naval aviation is supervised from Washington. The air mail service is directed from the Post Office Department here. The National Aeronautic Association has | its headquarters here. All the larger plane manufacturers and flying com- panies are represented in the capital. This is the place whence in recent years has come an enormous amount of propaganda designed to make America “air-minded.” ‘Today it ap- pears that if many’ other communi- ties are not far more “airminded” than Washington, they have at least been quicker to demonstrate their “air-mindedness” by practical meas- ures. For they have established air- | ports which make Washington's facil- ities look sick. . * * Thanks to that fact, rain at inaug- uration time prevented the large demonstration by civilian airplanes which had been carefully planned for March 4. The whole thing bad to be called off and owners or pilots of 35 planes were advised by wire to stay away because of dangerous landing conditions. Two private fields here were too small to hold the visiting flyers, so arrangements had been made with the army to use Bolling Field, where the 50 or 60 army and navy plancs stationed here are quartered. After three or four days of intcr- mittent rain the government field became a bog, spotted with danger- ous water holes. Major Burdette Wright, the member of the inaugural committee in charge of the civilian aviation show and an_ experienced pilot, decided that conditions were too hazardous to justify taking a chance. The army and navy staged a limited air parade on inauguration day with pilots thoroughly familiar with the field. * * In the last few years several gov- ernment planes have turned over on their noses at Bolling Field becausc of water holes or other surface condi- tions. A satisfactory airport has to be satisfactory under all conditions and should be equipped either with drainage facilities or artificial run- ways on which planes can land and take off. Several years ago the government filled in an area just south of the old Bolling Field, which is now the only portion usable in all sorts of weather, but this is far from ade- quate. A month ago a civilian plane got itself stuck in the mud and re- quired nearly 200 men to pull it out. Three or four planes barely missed surrounding obstacles at inauguration time and one crack pilot had to make several attempts before landing suc- cessfully. Bolling Field is narrow and built between the Anacostia river and some bluffs. At the north end of the field rear up the naval radio towers, on the cast are buildings and a hill, on the west is the river and to the south is an old steel mill with high smoke- stacks. With a west wind blowing, pilots must come over the hill and through bad air currents. That makes the going bumpy and turbulent, which would be bad business for transport planes loaded with passengers. Major Wright, who is the Washing- ton representative of the Curtiss in- terests, says that his concern is not operating any flying service here be- cause of the poor facilities, and the same thing goes for the other large companies. Both private fields are small and not designed for large transport planes. One is a two-way field, where flying has to be called off whenever bad west winds come over the adja- cent bluffs and where the mud is bad in case of rain. Its area is 21 or 22 acres, whereas Washington aviators say a 400 to 500 acre field would be merely adequate. The other field is little if any better and is bordered by dangerous high tension wires at the south end. The whole situation seems to be rather absurd. Congress, which is the city council for the District of Col- umbia, will eventually do something. Most of the principal persons and organizations interested in aviation here are behind a proposal to develop Gravelly Point, a nearby site in Vir- ginia. It is proposed to spend $2,500,- 000 for initial development of a 250- acre field which would latcr be ex- panded. This project will be threshed out at hearings to be begun early in April by-a special congressional committee headed by Senator Hiram Bingham of Connecticut. “Is this going to turn into an an- aouncement party?” Cherry de- manded, when Harry Blaine and Crystal returned to the living room from the library. Embarrassment and resentment deepened the flush on Crystal's cheeks, but she answered cheerfully: “Yes—the announcement - being that Harry has landed me a glorious job on The Press. I'm going to have a chance to write, at last. Where's ‘Tony?’ Harry has a job for her, too. “What sort of a job?” Cherry asked with quick jealousy. “If Tony is a writer, then I'm Marie of Roumania.” “Oh, not a writing job!” Crystal laughed. “Tony's themes were the joke of our college. « But Harry has agreed to write a play for The Press's Christ- mas Benefit—” “With Miss Crystal Hathaway as my honored collaborator,” porter interrupted. - “—and he wants Tony to be the heroine,” Crystal went on, ignoring the interruption. “If Harry wants a front-page hero- ine for his play, why doesn't he choose you, Crystal? You've had even more vege of—publicity than Tony has the re- Harry Blaine’s eyes flashed danger- ously. “If I used that yardstick, Cherry, I'd have to choose you!” he said evenly. Then, because Crystal's fingers tightened convulsively on his ¥ wo beg your pardon. Cherry.” occurred to me, you know—especially since I also have been labeled ‘the moat beautiful girl in Stanton.” true Harry Blaine bowed, with mock reverence. “But Tony has suc- ceeded to the title, since beautiful Cherry Lane Jonson no longer lives girl. ought to hold you, Cherry!” ? a sya wes made foomnliy, 1k weenie was made recently, it seemed Nils failed, his voice booming out in genuine mirth. Harry Blaine flushed painfully. “Honestly, Cherry, I'm ashamed.” “Oh, don’t be an idiot!” Cherry cut him short. “All my fault. I was jealous of Tony, of course. The truth is, I've always been stage-struck, and when what looked like a swell oppor- tunity to gratify my hidden pash came along I was naturally disap- Pointed at being passed by.” Harry Blaine grinned as he took the small hand she thrust out at him. “Crystal didn’t have time to announce our entire cast. The truth, is, Cherry, we'd written your name opposite the role of ‘wicked wamp,’ a nice, fat part, and if you'll consider second female lead—” “You're a liar, but you're a dar- ling!” Cherry laughed. “Of course I'd rather be a ‘wicked wamp’ than a la-de-da perfect lady of a heroine. I can simply be myscl{—says I, before any other cat beats me to it. Whom do I vamp? The heroine's sweetie?” ight,” Harry agreed. “But he isn’t cast I'm going to let Tony e when it comes to casting at's settled—Dick Talbot, of course,” Cherry retorted. “I fore- see that I'm going to enjoy your play immensely, Harry,” she added, with a wicked glance at her unperturbed husband. “No, it isn't settled,” rected her firmly. “Where's Tony, | by the way, I'll rest easier when I know she will accept the job.” “Accept it?” Cherry scoffed. “Tony's human, even if her adorers do think she’s divine. Where is she now, did you ask? I rather imagine she's be- ing proposed to again. The darkly brooding Dick suddenly dragged her out, in best cave-man fashion, to look at the moonlight on the snow. NEXT: Tony reports to Crystal. That ought to hold you, Cherry!" (Copyright, 1929, NEA Service, Inc.) 1929, NEA Service, Inc.) Harry cor- to me that Manhattan's strangest | Place of barter was that which fur- nishes. beggars with such supplies as pencils, tin cups, and cards relating how a leg was lost in a mine disaster. ae * Now a “snipe,” in case the world has forgotten, is that portion of a ci- gar which hes been discarded upon the sidewalk or in the street by a smoker who has grown tired of , it. aell fate in! + whch if DON'T REMEMBER it tects te oboe "1s being grilled question One iiaren te me Three. and A still he fon pak innocence to of the *iopo0d ee: Thc the night he meets question question Kot ba silence ~ But the aw 18 wean its web ~ ~ — WENRY J. AUSSTINN - 7 You oe acon O- tme has come~ VE are soon to oe Brahe deedsJ4 __ CONE ON-DONT GE AFRAID~ ITS JUST AS SNOOMA AS GLASS, PREecKLES! IMAGINE”! AE SWIMMING On ThE FIRST DAY OF APRIL +--+ Cont Go our JOKE ON ME Line TINS, ONCLE w Too SMART. I KNOW PIED On OUR BALL CATCH MEON “THAT | (T'S APRIL FOOL : WELL, LOOK WHO'S PLaviN’ Te )(YouRE MR. Mack, | BELIEVE -WECL, Home “OWA TERM Te! The |11' @ CALc PLAYER AN ALL SET Tea ATHLETICS! GUESS I'LL RUN OUT || GO Ta WORK FER Ya — ¢ CAN PLA AN’ HIT CONNIE MACK EER a 508]| ANY Position ! |] AGAIN —MEBEE HELE FORGET | WELL, THIS SOUNDS , INTERESTING! WHATS SON? NOW, WHATS THE (OEa oF GETNN' ME.ALL STEAMED HOWDY. ? Sam Howor?|| UP -WHEN “a KNOW CERN SOUNDS FamiciaR — || WELL YOURE NO G000? AW, SHUCKS, Ya CAN'T Gtame @ ° GUY FER TRYIN’ — BUT AS LONG AS WOU'RE WISE Te “ouR Name, = MONDAY, APRIL 1, 199%