to Alaska what railroads, highways, and interurban facilities have been to people in the rural and urban communities of the continental United States. In a great many sections of Alaska, the airplane supplies the routine and the only transportation service from point to point, and is of the most critical importance in emergencies when communication by radio and radiotelephone has failed. If proper air facilities are not provided and maintained in Alaska, the carrying on of dayto-day activities in the Territory would be seriously hampered.

Adequate air facilities in Alaska are similarly of great importance to the international aviation in which the United States participates. It is acknowledged by all agencies concerned with the expansion of American operations in this field that points in Alaska, notably Anchorage, will have to be depended on as an essential air-base link with overseas and continental points.

A serious situation with respect to airport facilities in Alaska arose last fall when the War Department found it necessary to notify civil air carriers operating in the Territory that after a specified time Ladd Field at Fairbanks, and Elmendorf Field at Anchorage, could no longer be made available to civil aircraft. These fields have been made available to nonmilitary aircraft in view of the inadequacy of the civil airports serving Fairbanks and Anchorage, Weeks Field and Merrill Field, respectively. Neither is considered safe for aircraft larger than DC-3's, and in fact they are hardly adequate for even that type of aircraft. Moreover, they are so located in relation to the cities which they serve and to the military airfields that their improvement is regarded as impracticable by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Keenly aware of the importance of aviation in Alaska, the War Department has on various occasions postponed the dates on which civil aircraft must discontinue use of Ladd and Merrill Fields. These extensions have been made with the understanding that effective steps would be taken in the near future to construct new and adequate civil air bases in the Territory.

Unfortunately, the municipalities of Fairbanks and Anchorage, as well as the Territorial government, are not in a position to do much about this matter. Earlier this year, for example, Anchorage voted a general bond issue of $250,000 for the purpose of constructing an airport. This sum is far from sufficient to construct minimum airport necessities, even when supplemented by a Federal 75 percent share of $750,000 under the Federal Airport Act. The Territory is itself already confronted with an unbalanced budget, and cannot, therefore, render any significant aid.

Under these circumstances, it is imperative that the Federal Government undertake the projects proposed by H. R. 3509 and H. R. 3510. I regard enactment of these bills as most essential. They represent the only feasible means of meeting a difficult situation. In terms of the benefits to the economy of Alaska, and the expansion of this Nation's operations in the field of international air transportation, the outlay to be made by the Federal Government would be a sound investment.

I reiterate my strong support of these bills, and urge speedy and favorable action by the Congress.

In view of your desire for an immediate report, this letter has not been submitted to the Bureau of the Budget for its consideration. I am unable, therefore, to state the relationship of the foregoing views to the program of the President. Sincerely yours,

[S. 2405, 80th Cong., 2d sess.]

J. A. KRUG, Secretary of the Interior.

A BILL To encourage the development of a safe United States flag international air-transportation system properly adapted to the present and future needs of foreign commerce of the United States, of the postal service, and of the national defense, and to meet certain of the obligations incumbent upon the United States by virtue of its membership in the International Civil Aviation Organization, by providing for the transfer, establishment, operation, administration, and maintenance of airport and airway property located outside the continental United States, for the training of foreign nationals in aviation activities, and for other purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

TITLE I

SEC. 101. As used in this Act:

(a) "Air Coordinating Committee" means the committee established by Executive Order Numbered 9781, dated September 19, 1946, or such successor agency or agencies as may exercise the same or equivalent powers whether created by Executive order or legislative enactment.

(b) "Airport property" means any interest in any property, real or personal, and any part or component thereof, of the United States, and used, directly or indirectly, in connection with the administration, operation, or maintenance of an airport, including, but not by way of limitation, (1) land; (2) runways, strips, taxiways, and parking aprons; (3) buildings, structures, improvements, and facilities, whether or not used in connection with the landing and take-off of aircraft; and (4) equipment, furniture, vehicles, and other property used in connection with the administration, operation, or maintenance of an airport.

(c) "Airway property" means any ground installation, facility, or equipment (including parts and components thereof) of the United States and used in connection with the orderly and safe operation of air traffic, and including any air navigation, air-traffic control, airways communications, and meteorological facilities.

(d) "Citizen of the United States" means (a) an individual who is a citizen of the United States or one of its possessions, or (b) a partnership of which each member is such an individual, or (c) a corporation or association created or organized under the laws of the United States or of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, of which the president and two-thirds or more of the board of directors and other managing officers thereof are such individuals and in which at least 75 per centum of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons who are citizens of the United States or one of its possessions.

(e) "Foreign territory" means any area of land or water over which no nation or a nation other than the United States exercises the incidents of sovereignty, including territories of undetermined sovereignty, the high seas, and areas of land or water normally under the sovereignty of such nation but temporarily under military occupation by the United States, but not including areas of land or water in the possession of the United States under a trusteeship, mandate, or other similar arrangement.

TITLE II

SEC. 201. Subject to the approval of the Air Coordinating Committee, the Administrator of Civil Aeronautics (hereinafter referred to as the "Administrator") and the Chief of the Weather Bureau of the Department of Commerce are authorized, in their respective fields, to establish, operate, administer, and maintain air-navigation facilities and services (including airports and associated airport facilities and services), air-traffic control, airway communications, and meteorological facilities by contract or otherwise in foreign territory as defined in this Act. Except when the President shall find that the national security of the United States requires otherwise, such action shall be taken in accordance with chapter XV of the Convention on International Civil Aviation by arrangements made through or acceptable to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

TITLE III

SEC. 301. Upon the request of the foreign government involved and with the approval of the Secretary of State, the Administrator and the Chief of the Weather Bureau, within their respective fields, are authorized within the United States, and outside the continental United States, to train foreign nationals directly, or in conjunction with any other United States Government agency, or through any United States private agency, or through any international organization in aeronautical and related subjects essential to the orderly and safe operation of civil aircraft.

TITLE IV

SEC. 401. The Administrator and the Chief of the Weather Bureau, respectively, are authorized to accept, on behalf of the United States, funds from any foreign government or from any international organization as payment for any facilities supplies or services performed for such government or international organization

by the Administrator or the Chief of the Weather Bureau, either directly or indirectly, under authority of this Act or of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, including the operation of airport property and airway property in such countries, the training of foreign nationals, the rendering of technical assistance and advice to such countries, and the performance of other similar services. Funds so received may be credited to (a). appropriations current at the time the expenditures are to be or have been paid, (b) appropriations current at the time such amounts are received, or (c) in part as provided under (a) and in part as provided under (b) hereof.

SEC. 402. The Administrator or the Chief of the Weather Bureau, as the case may be, with the approval of the Secretary of State upon request of the foreign government involved or of any international organization, may transfer any airport property or railway property operated and maintained by them pursuant to the provisions of this Act within foreig nterritory to the foreign government involved or of any international property operated and maintained by them pursuant to the provisions of this Act within foreign territory to the foreign government involved or to any international organization. If such airport property or airway property was obtained by transfer from the War or Navy Department, the approval of the Secretary of such department also shall be obtained. The Administrator or the Chief of the Weather Bureau, as the case may be, is authorized to receive on behalf of the United States such payment or other consideration for the property so transferred as may be agreed upon through negotiations with the foreign government or international organization involved.

TITLE V

SEC. 501. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the Administrator is authorized to provide air navigation, communications, and air traffic control facilities and services for civil aviation throughout the Canal Zone and the Republic of Panama and to do all things necessary in connection with the operation and maintenance thereof.

SEC. 502. In exercising and performing his powers and duties under this title, the Administrator shall do so consistently with any obligation assumed by the United States in any treaty, convention, or agreement that may be in force between the United States and the Republic of Panama.

SEC. 503. When considered necessary or desirable from the military point of view, the War and Navy Departments, respectively, are authorized at their discretion to transfer without charge therefor to the Administrator any airport property or airway property or other real personal property which (a) is located in the Canal Zone or the Republic of Panama, and (b) is determined by the Administrator to now be, or likely become, useful in carrying out the purposes of this title.

SEC. 504. The authority conferred by this title may be exercised without regard to sections 201 and 601 of this Act.

TITLE VI

SEC. 601. When considered necessary or desirable from the military point of view and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be agreed upon in specific cases between the parties, the War and Navy Departments are authorized to transfer at their discretion to the Administrator, without charge therefor, airport property and airway property, exclusive of meteorological facilities, installed by or in the possession of the War or Navy Departments in territory (including Alaska) outside the continental limits of the United States, which the War and Navy Departments have found to be no longer required exclusively for military purposes and which in the opinion of the Administrator are, or are likely to become, necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act: Provided, That no transfer of property in foreign territory shall be made hereunder without approval of the Air Coordinating Committee.

SEC. 602. When considered necessary or desirable from the military point of view, and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be agreed upon in specific cases between the parties, the War and Navy Departments are authorized to transfer at their discretion to the Chief of the Weather Bureau without charge therefor, meteorological facilities installed by or in the possession of said Departments in territory (including Alaska) outside the continental limits of the United States, which the War and Navy Departments have found to be no longer required exclusively for military purposes, and which, in the opinion of

the Chief of the Weather Bureau are, or are likely to become, necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act: Provided, That no transfer of property on foreign territory shall be made hereunder without approval of the Air Coordinating Committee.

SEC. 603. All property transferred from the War and Navy Departments to the Department of Commerce under the provisions of Executive Order 9709 and Executive Order 9797 and which is in the possession of the Department of Commerce on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be considered as property transferred pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 604. In case of military necessity as determined by the Secretary of the department which made the transfer, the War or Navy Department, as the case may be, is authorized immediately to retake any property transferred under this title or title V and still in the possession of the Administrator or the Chief of the Weather Bureau, as the case may be, together with any improvements made thereto.

TITLE VII

SEC. 701. With regard to airport property and airway property in territory (including Alaska) outside the continental limits of the United States which he is authorized to acquire, establish, operate, and maintain pursuant to this Act or any other provision of law, the Administrator is empowered and directed to do and perform all acts and things necessary or incident to their consolidation, operation, protection, and administration, including but not limited to the power, (a) to adapt such property to the needs of civil aeronautics; (b) to make and amend such reasonable rules and regulations as he may deem necessary to the proper exercise of the powers herein granted; (c) to lease under such conditions as he may deem proper and for such periods as may be desirable (not to exceed twenty years) space or property within or upon the properties transferred under this Act for purposes essential or appropriate to their consolidation, operation, protection, and administration; (d) to contract for, or to provide directly for, the sale of fuel, oil, equipment, food and supplies, hotel accommodations, and other facilities and services necessary or desirable for the consolidation, operation, protection, and administration of the property; and (e) to make such reasonable charges for aeronautical services (including fees for use of navigational aids, communication services, landing facilities, and similar services) as may be appropriate or desirable.

SEC. 702. With regard to meteorological facilities in territory (including Alaska) outside the continental limits of the United States which he is authorized to acquire, establish, operate, and maintain pursuant to this Act or any other provision of law, the Chief of the Weather Bureau is vested with all powers to consolidate, operate, protect, and administer granted the Administrator by this title with respect to facilities the latter is authorized to acquire, establish, operate, and maintain.

SEC. 703. All funds received under this title, as a result of direct sale or charge by the Administrator or the Chief of the Weather Bureau and which, in the judgment of the Administrator or the Chief of the Weather Bureau, as the case may be, are equivalent to the cost, including handling charges, of the fuel, oil, equipment, food, supplies, services, shelter, or other assistance or services sold or furnished shall be credited to the appropriation from which the cost thereof was paid, and the balance, if any, shall be credited to miscellaneous receipts.

SEC. 704. The provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, as amended, shall not apply to any of the leases or contracts made by the Administrator or the Chief of the Weather Bureau pursuant to the provisions of this title.

TITLE VIII

SEC. 801. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.