Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1917-07-26
| WAR DEPARTMENT
| IS DETERMINED
To Take Kent IsIand--No Other
Site Win Fill Requirements
MAY CAUSE FIGHT IN CONGRESS
Senator Smith Pledged to Use Every
Influence to Prevent Dispossession
Of Islands Residents


That the Government authorities
are determined to let nothing stand
beteen them and the acquisition OF
Kent Island, on the Chesapeake Bay
for an artillery proving ground, be-
came evident yesterday when Sec
retary of War Baker gave a statement
declaring that, after an exhaustive
survey, this island was found to be
the only site meeting all requirements
and that he would go to Congress for
the power and money to purchase it.
This means that all other possible
sites which have been offered have
been overruled and that the War De-
partment is determining, as a matter
of national necessity. to take Kent Is
land, however, many people may be
dispossessed of their homes.
The department purpose to call
upon Congress for an appropriation OF
more than 81 ,00O, 900 for the purchase
of the island and an additional sum
for its equipment. The bill to be in
troduced probably will contain a
provision for condemnation of the
land if necessary.
Need Imperative.
Secretary Bakers statement follows:
1.-THE War Department finds that the
Sandy Hook proving ground is made
quate to meet the present demands
for the test and proof of ordnance and
ordnance material and that there is
imperative need of the prompt acqui-
sition and equipment of a proving
ground to meet the present require
ments which are based upon the
greatly increased range and power
of mobile artillery, especially.
I'm the search for suitable site
a most exhaustive survey was made
of all the country east of the Miss
issippi river, and the only site found
to meet the irreducible requirements
was Kent Island, in the Chesapeake
Bay, east of Annapolis, Md, This is
land possesses to a marked degree
the requisites for a proving ground
of the type imperatively need
ed and every effort will be made to
secure the needed funds from Con-
gress for the acuisition and equip
ment of this island as model army
proving ground for the test of artil-
lery. cannon, ammunition and acces-
sories"
The statement of Secretary Baker
that he would have to go to Congress
for an appropriation for this purpose
means that he will clash with Sena-
tor John Walter Smith, who, with
Representative Price. has taken up
the fight of the Kent Islanders
against dispossession. The Senator
has said repeatedly that, if it comes
to fight, he will not hesitate to ex-
ercise all the influence he may have
in the Senate against the War De-
partment program.
Outrage. Says Senator.
The Senator takes the position that
there are other sites to be had which
may be taken without doing violence
to the feelings of even handful OF
people. He thinks that it would be
an outrage for the Government to
take the property of 5000 people and
force their removal from their homes
even though they were paid all the
land and houses might be worth.
All this was laid before Secretary
Baker at the time the Kent Island
question first came up. A delegation
= ...1.~,.,o,& ~ao;danfc of fha island
went to Washington and laid their
case before the Secretary himself.
Mr.. Baker seemed sympathetic and
promised to inquire into the whole
matter. Later he let it be known that
he had directed the Ordnance De-
partment to look again for other sites,
in the hope of solving the problem
without working hardship upon
any body of people.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels stated
again this afternoon that the navy
was not interested in the Kent Is
land project. He said that his ser
vice was admirably equipped at In
dian Head, Md, for the naval gun
tests though much inconvenience 10
passing craft had resulted. He
doubted if the navy would find any
necessity during the war for another
proving ground.
Queen Anne's Protests.
A delegation of prominent Queen
Anne's county citizens went TO Balti-
more yesterday and made vigorous
protest against the taking of Kent
Island by the Government for
proving station:
The delegation includued: John E.
George, Senator ] H. c. Legg, ex-
Senator James E. Kirwan, Dr. John
r. Benton, Harry A. Palmer, Roland
Carvith. r. Bruce Massey, Bates Hop
kins. ex-senator J. Frank Harper
and B. Clay Cappage-
They saw Senator Smith, Governor
Harrington and others, and declared
strongly that the sentiment of Queen
Anne's county was overwhelmingly
against taking the island
They presented resolution passed
by the County Commissioners as fol-