The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-07-09
KENT ISLAND TO BE
PROVING STATION
Maryland to Get Proving GROUNDS
Removed From SANDY Rooi<--
Federal Government 20 Take DNci
VI. ID. X !. Railroad.

Not only a. 4 size FOR 4 proving
ground, but as 4 government feser-
walton, to be used by both the Navy
and War Department for various
purpCseS-this is what the United
States Government is considering Tor
Kent Island, according to nforma-
ton which became known yesterday
Although. of course the govern
ment officials have determined moth
ing definitely, yet the plans as they
have been outlined and officially ap-
proved by army and navy officers. in
clude the establishment OF head
quarters for the reservation at Love
Point. at the head OF the island,
thereby converting the nov small
summer resort TO a city. housing APP
proximately 1000 army and navy OF
ticers and men.
The proposed $o.00o.00O naval
laboratory Will probably be estab-
lished on the reservation. IN 4 let
ter to a Navy Department otIiciaII in
Washington last week. Mr.. Thomas
A. Edison. of the Naval Consulting
Board approved the proposed Kent
Island site as an ideal location for
the laboratory.
The ordnance proving grounds OF
the United States Government, now
located at Sandy Hook, \. Y. are to
be removed to the proposed Kent
Island reservation if the plans in
contemplation now are carried out.
Transportation facilities are an
other feature which the government
experts have worked out. II the
reservation is definitely decided on
the government will take over the
Maryland, Delaware and Virginia
Railway from Love Point to probably
where it joins the Delaware Division
of the Pennsylvania X. Il. at Green
wood, Del, or at least that much OF
it on the reservation land, from Love
Point to Queenstown. In order that
easy access to the island from Wash
ington and Baltimore may be had, 4
government ferry Will probably be
established from Annapolis.
Howard Bruce, of the Bartlett Hay
ward Munition Company, has secured
options on practically all Of the land
on the island for the Secretary OF
War. Mr.. Baker wrote 10 Mr.. Bruce
sometime ago and asked him 10 take
this step. Since then the Baltimore
an has given much time to the work,
and has personally gone over the is
land from end to end. There are
about 1900 acres in all on the is
land. OF course, if the War Depart
ment decides to buy the island. Mr..
Bruce will merely turn over the OPP
lions to the government officials 1t
is merely a patriotic service on his
part, and not work for profit.
Mr.. Bruce yesterday said that he
was not at liberty TO discuss the de
tails of the plans of the government,
as he does not know them all official
ly, and he did not feel qualified or
authorized to speaiPf what he may
have heard. However, he did say
that, from the general understand
ing he has received in Official quar-
tiers, the proposition IS one OF the
biggest things that has come 10
Maryland for years.
1t is, of course, an inconvenience
probably a temporary hardship
for the residents of Kent Island 10
give up their homes said Mr.. Bruce
yesterday afternoon. But this prop
osition is so big and the site is SO
well suited for the governments pur
poses that | believe the people OF
Kent Island, as well as all other
Marylanders, will soon take the big
ger and broader view of the question.
The government needs Just such a
site as Kent Island, and the govern
ment needs il now. Maryland can
not help but profit by the plans OF
the government. if the plans are car
ried out
Mr.. Bruce further stated that he
and others with whom he has talked
in Washington cannot understand !
the attitude of a good many people
in Maryland in protesting against the
establishment of the government res
ervation. Army ordnance officers, as
well as navy officials, have examined
the island thoroughly, and, in addi |