U.S.A.: SPECIAL WASHINGTON HEARING PROBES ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST CONCORDE FLIGHTS TO UNITED STATES.

Record ID: 1061821

  • Title: U.S.A.: SPECIAL WASHINGTON HEARING PROBES ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST CONCORDE FLIGHTS TO UNITED STATES.
  • Date: 6th December 1976
  • Summary: 1. GV & SV INT Audience seated in front of Secretary of Transportation on platform (3 shots) 0.13 2. CU Mr. Coleman speaking 1.41 SOUND IN: "This decision... OUT: ...achieved." 3. CU English bishop speaking 2.11 SOUND IN: "The noise can.... OUT: Houses shudder." 2.11 4. CU Sen. Barry Goldwater speaking 2.29 SOUND IN: "Mr. Secretary, in... OUT: ...do that." 5. CU Goldwater listens to question from Secretary before answering 3.07 SOUND IN (COLEMAN) "One thing.... OUT (GOLDWATER)....sonic boom entirely." 6. GV Hearing continuing 3.11 MR. COLEMAN: "This decision will not be an easy one to make. Not only are the issues involved complex, but because of various interpretations of information made public over the past month, the emotional responses both ways have developed which could cloud and distort judgement. The Concorde controversy causes me to recall Mr. Justice Homes' observation that every years, if not every day, we have to wager our salvation upon some prophesy based on imperfect knowledge. To some, the Concordo is perceived to embody the latest aviation technology, expanding man's ability to move quickly from one place to another,........speeding communications and commerce to the benefit of all and any decision contrary represents merely American pique that it is foreign made. To others the prophecy pretends disaster for the environment, and the economic well-being of U.S., French and British air carriers. And thus any decision in favour would reduce to a significant degree man's ability to enjoy his world and the benefits already achieved." REV. MONTEFIORE: "The noise can be unbearable. It can be above the threshold of pain. it might damage the hearing of the partially deaf if they are using amplifiers. No sensible mother would feel happy about leaving her baby in a pram in the garden in the neighbourhood of Heathrow while these Concordes are passing. I have actually heard a housewife speak of the outrage that she felt. It terrified me, she said. Houses shudder." SENATOR GOLDWATER: "Mr. Secretary, in all my experience, I have never known so much misinformation being put out on any one subject as the supersonic transport plane. The SST is charged with doing everything but causing ingrowing toe nails, and I'll be surprised if the misinformers do not find a way to do that." MR. COLEMAN: "One thing I would like to ask you, if you would, in your view, I take it, that you feel that the Concorde is an advance in present day technology in the aviation field?" SEN. GOLDWATER: "Yes, very decidedly, in fact so much so that even though we have strong opposition in the Senate, foolish opposition I might say, we are continuing to do some research with private firms and Government funds and supersonic wing developments, engines and so forth and all of this redounds to the benefit of general aviation. We hope some day, and we're getting closer, we hope some day to eliminate the sonic boom entirely." AUDIENCE SEATED IN FRONT OF SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION: COLEMAN SPEAKING: MONTEFIORE SPEAKING: GOLDWATER SPEAKING AND LISTENING: AUDIENCE SHOTS. Initials BB/2005 DE/MR/BB/2030 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 20th December 1976 12:00
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  • Location: WASHINGTON D.C., U.S.A.
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  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA6DN5I1PEPSLQ5RCYK0OXZ4UR7
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