Evening journal., 1917-09-12
NARYLANDERS Hold
ON TO kent island
Secretary Baker Appeals TO
Chamberlain; Wants TO
State His Case
WILL PLY CROZIER
WITH QUESTIONS

WASHINGTON. Sept. i2-secretary
Baker IS. apparently. not disposed 10 &C
cept defeat in the cherished project Of
tho War Department to turn Kent
island into an ordnance proving
ground. He has sent letter 70 SEN
ator Chamberlain, chairman OF the mill
tary affairs committee-the committee
which he assured Senators Smith and
Martin he would make the arbiters OF
the fate OF Kent Establishing Mr..
Chamberlain to call a special meeting
OF his committee next Thursday, at
which Secretary Baker and General
Crozier will appear TO give the War De-
partments reasons Tor It's insistent oe-
mand for Kent Island.
From interviews with various mem
bers OF the military AFFAIRS committee
both Secretary Baker and General Gro
yler will be asked to explain why the
department insists that There Is no
other place IN the United States east OF
the Mississippi River, except Kent
Island, that can be used for ordnance
ground.
senator Chamberlain, chairman Of the
committee. does not hesitate TO ex-
press his opposition 70 turning out the
neople of Kent Island from their homes,
but he Is willing 20 hear what the War
Department has TO say.
81 have not heard the War Depart
ment's side Of the controversy" the
Senator said. "but from what has al
ready been told me, It looks TO me as
a farce TO drive 5000 people from their
homes in order 10 get a proving ground
when there are so many thousands OF
acres of unused and unproductive band
in the United States. ] am waiting q
hear the War Departments side OF the
case and ascertain Just what might b'
urgent demand for the island
Prom present indications members o.
j the Military Affairs Committee will moi
/, accede to Secretary Bakers demands
! As pointed out on Monday, the taking
: over Of Kent Island is no longer
Z mere local issue close 90 The heart o
Senator smith II has become a ques
, ton between the War DEPARTMENT an'
! Congress. The Senators feel that, hav
ing submitted the question Of buyinl
Kent Island 20 Congress thr '"h th
, medium Of the appropriation ! nov
Z before the House. Secretary Bake
shows a disregrd for the will # Con
press in Undertaking 70 use S3OO0,OO
q Of an emergency fund placed in Presi
dent Wilson's hands 70 buy the islam
regardless OF the decision Of Congress
= There is strong sentiment in Con
eress. particularly IN the Senate, whic
n is always sensitive Of its rights as
\ legislative body, that II money voted Z
= the President for emergency" purpose
i IL to be used 70 override the will O
Congress, no more such emergency
n appropriations will be made. This fee
ing Is particularly strong in the 81
n nropriation COMMITTEES Of the House ar
Senate. for It is realized that II Il
IA authority Of Congress can be evaded
IA this way il ia useless to pass apr
A priation bills specifying the purpose Z,
" which moneys are appropriated.
IS Army officers persist In the ciaii
q, TINT unless Congress Yields and PEI
~ .nits the purchase OF KEN ISLAM
Re. he War Department is unable
ground. This altitude OF tho arm
le officers viii be sharply challenge
ar BY Senator Smith when Generi
m Crozier appears before the Appropr
"a atoms Committee and he will
10 asked 20 explain why none OF h
) officers has examined various si.I
A. LNhI nave NrtN NuuiAlN oA u IA
since Kent island was selected
mis- officers.
Sennitor smith expressed com
dence that the psopie OF Kent Islar
would no. lose their homes Repr
sen at've Price. who will make q
FIGHT I'm 'he House TO save Ke
Island lntmatod that when Pre-
ON dent Wilson returns 20 Washingt'
ist he viii call on him IN Law before hi
ltv the facts regarding Kent Island al
'he unwill'ngness Of the people
1es surrender their homes when
lhe many other sites are available VIII
a involve no har7shiD and which W
ms not DEPRIVE 'he corn'ry Of the boun
ley tul SUNNY Of food now raised
,rk Kent Island.