New Oil Burner

Oil for the lamps of China was sold by first glutting the country with cheap, kerosene-burning lamps. A modern, expensive, but smaller version of this sales device was launched in the U.S. last week when North American Airport Corp. formally opened New York's $4-million, Army-built Westchester County Airport to civilian use.

Backed by its rich parent, Gulf Oil Corp., North American outbid three major oil companies for the exclusive right to promote private flying--and the sale of oil and gasoline--at the 505-acre field. For its unprecedented duration-plus-15-years lease, North American plans to pay wealthy, progressive Westchester County some $899,050 in cash. The company will also spend $833,400 for administration, flying school, civic center, hangar and other buildings.

To see a future profit on those sums, Gulf Oil and North American executives at last week's ceremony needed all the postwar vision they could muster. Their mile-long airstrips, built to handle planes of domestic transport size, were deep in snow. The day's chief speaker, CAA's Deputy Administrator Charles I. Stanton, was scheduled to fly to a dramatic, ribbon-cutting landing at the field. Grounded by the snowstorm, he arrived by train and auto hours late for the dedication.

But his belated speech cheered the chilled officials. Confidently he sketched the tempting civilianaviation market of the future:

P: The field will tap the New York area's 30,000 to 40,000 postwar private planes, may become the north anchor of a bustling Westchester-to-New York City shuttle line.

P: With civilians filing 2,000 applications a week for student permits, the nation has five million potential flyers to create a $500-million flying business annually, support more ventures like Westchester.

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