The House and Senate again introduced airport improvement legislation in July 1937."Airport Improvement Proposals Get Both Senate, House Backing." Washington Post. July 27, 1937. This bill, which would have provided for construction of a new Military Road and transferred of the Arlington Experimental Farm to the airport, was vetoed by President Roosevelt."Bolling Field Loaned to D.C." Washington Post. September 9, 1937. But as this legislation was moving forward, Arlington County and Washington-Hoover Airport reached an agreement in mid-August whereby the county would close Military Road in exchange for a $25,000 payment to help pay for its rerouting."$25,000 Given to Construct New Highway." Washington Post. August 11, 1937. The House of Representatives passed legislation the following day to permit closure of the federal road."Bill to Improve D.C.'s Airport Passes House." Washington Post. August 12, 1937; "Closing of Road Is Made Chief Aim at Airport." Washington Post. August 18, 1937. The Senate followed suit 10 days later."Congress Enacts Bills to Improve Capital Airport." Washington Post. August 21, 1937. Again President Roosevelt vetoed the legislation, arguing that it turned federal property over to a private entity without payment in return. In September, the Bureau of Air Commerce directed all airports in the United States to assume responsibility for directing the take-off and landing of large air transport planes."Runway Order May Cost D.C. Plane Service." Washington Post. September 5, 1937. But Washington-Hoover personnel refused to take on that responsibility, due to the airfield's poor radio and lighting systems. After negotiations among the Air Line Pilots Association, the Bureau of Air Commerce, transport airlines, and the airport, tighter rules for large air transport craft were adopted but special provisions enacted just for Washington-Hoover which established a slightly lower threshold of safety and permitted large air transport ships to land at the airfield."U.S. May Lift Big Transport Ban at Airport." Washington Post." September 23, 1937; "U.S. May Ease D.C. Airport Takeoff Rules." Washington Post. October 8, 1937; "Tighter Rules On Transports Due at Airport." Washington Post. November 5, 1937. But still the Air Line Pilots Association pressed for the complete closure of Washington-Hoover."Pilots Renew Move to Close Capital Airport." Washington Post. November 7, 1937; "Plumley Assails Delay on Pilots' Airport Pleas." Washington Post. December 15, 1937; "Pilots' Chief Renews Attack on D.C. Airport." Washington Post. December 21, 1937.
