The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-08
Complaint as to Price Of Pro-
posed Naval Base Ties Up
Urgent Deficiency Bill
HOUSE SENDS MEASURE
BACK TO CONFERENCE
Of Large Sum for Site Under.
stood Much Goes for Land
Not In Original Jamestown
Exposition Tract

Washington, juno Charges OF
graft today sent the enormous urgent
deficiency bill back TO conference
The measure, with its huge total of
&3,2sl.2 1000 Is now delayed once
more. Not only are additional appro-
priations for the army and navy thus
hung up, but the action defers hand
ing to President Wilson the immedi-
ate emergency shipping fund Of s405,-
600. 600.
Kelly, OF Michigan, a member of
the committee on naval affairs, threw
the bombshelI into the house today.
BY a vote OF 1874 70 ia the body re-
fused to confirm the conference re-
port
The accusation of trying to cheat
the government comes up in connec-
ton with the site of the former
jamestown exposition. near Norfolk.
Va The navy department wishes to
acquire the site for a naval base ana
training station. Kelly charges the
present owners purchased the site and
buildings thereon for $3.50. 600. yet
they now wish to charge the govern
ment 100000 for - building alone.
The Michigan man asserted that
the buildings were old and neglected.
and that neither Chairman Padgett,
Of the naval affairs committee. nor
Chairman Fitzgerald. Of the appro-
prtations committee, favored the pur-
chase. FisxxeraId In one ~ the con-
ferees upon the blu
Land Outside OF Grounds.
The proposal in the bill was 10
spend 81 400 900 for the base and ST.
so0teoe for equipment Congressman
Flood insisted the Jamestown exposi-
ton owners would receive one-duarter
e.. H. A~<x+
all the land to be purchased lies with
in the exposition grounds
'seSssTfsfa ~ i4es % Ion,
said Kelly: sit has been before the
committee on naval affairs for at least
ten years and has never been looked
upon with favor. do not think am
stating anything that the present
chairman of the committee would he
unwilling 10 have me say when ! say
he has never believed, the price
rea sonable."
In answer. Fitzgerald said he had
not seen the buildings, but had read
yoiumincus paper descriptions of the
properties in hearings before the com
that congress Is TO buy. this tract" he
said But the navy department
which is recruiting large numbers of
men. insists that the property IL i'm
pera tively needed for training and a.
feet base. ! am not entirely salts
fed with the matter have no hesi-
tation in stating"
Not Sure Price Is Reasonable.
Il take II that the gentleman 10
not personally willing to assure the
house this is reasonable price"
interjected Kelly.
II would not undertake TO assure
Al
able to form an opinion" responded
by the senate and to get an agree
rnent on the bill the house conferees
felt compelled to acquiesce.''
The land has some one hundred
acres fronting on the main channel.
but Kelly said. The ground in front
OF the exposition Is covered with
shoal water running out 1900 feet.
and from one to three feet deep"
There are some cottages on the
property, built originally as state
buildings. but which Kelly asserted
were in bad condition.
Fitzgerald called attention TO the
fact that the government could pur-
chase with the land, public utilities.
-ssieh-as= Faal~ays-=ightin E-xyGfemA
water works. etc But Kelly said it
was not necessary to purchase; that
At Chicago land has been leased for
training purposes
One Of the most spirited speeches
was made by Republican Leader
Mann. we are going to be con-
fronted many times during this war
with graft Many people are patri-
otic. but want to make Something on
the side. Our motto ought to be Bill
lions for the war. but nothing for
"a