The Washington times., 1938-06-15

port at Camp Springs, Nd.
Charges of graft and corruption
put the measure in its grave las
night, and the proposal to eStab
lish q municipal airport at Camp
Springs was kicked into oblivion
by a vote of 1873 to SO.
ACTION BY HOUSE
An aroused House, stirred into
action by the charge that the
Camp Springs airport was the
most miserable land grab in
years." registered the vote that
means that Camp Springs agita-
ton passes out of the picture with
adjournment of the Seventy-fifth
Congress, scheduled for tonight.
The 2-to-1 vote. taken on a spe-
cial rule, was tantamount to re-
fusal to consider the legislation.
Led by Representative Byron
Scott CD of California. the fight
was climaxed by charges that
Government men sought kick
backs" from land owners at Camp
Springs and that a PWA official
was among those who would
profit by the establishment of the
airport on that site.
If we can get you $4,000 for
your land" Mr.. Scott quoted
the Government option-getters
as saying. will you kick back
2 per cent? Will you kick back
5 per cent? Will you kick back
10 per cent?"
HITS LAND GRAB"
"This is a land grab" the
youthful Californian said, "a
real estate venture. If you pass
this bill, you will see the day
when you will regret your
action. I personally do not care
to be responsible for the dis
closures which will come out Of
this thing if the bill is passed"
The Scott charges were sup
ported by Representative Alfred
Phillips, jr., Cd of Connecticut,
who said he had personal knowl-
edge that a PWA official owned
land at Camp Springs.
This is the most miserable
land-grab I have seen since I
have been a member of this
House." he said.
The Navy Departments erst-
while objections to Camp Springs
were brought into the debate by
Representative Melvin Mas (R0
of Minnesota. who pointed out
that the House Naval Affairs Com
mittee voted last year against
Camp Springs on the departments
insistence.
FIGHT WITHDRAWN
Recently, under pressure from
the White House, the Navy De
partment withdrew its objections,
it was said.
"I've never seen such insist !
es1ce for one site" Mas said.
There seems to be a concerted
effort which says it must be
Camp Springs or nothing.
There are many other and bet
ter SiteS."
He pointed out that the Navy
Department bought land for $50
an acre at Cheltenham, in the
vicinity Of Camp Springs, for it's
radio station.
why the difference then" he
asked, between $50 and the
S213-an-acre-average for Camp
Springs In the same locality?"
There is sufficient doubt"
he added, "in the minds of
enough people as to the de-
Sirability of the site. We should
give this adequate considera-
ton and not rush it through at
this last minute. Why this rush
at this late hour?"
The Washington Hoover Air
port was pointed out as the most |
practical airport by several speak
ers, with Meas explaining that |
the local airport, which is close to
the city, should be developed and
expanded.
IF we pass Camp Springs"
Mas said, I'VE viii have an
other Floyd Bennett Field on
our hands. The Bennett Field is
so far out Of New York that
nobody uses it. That's just
what will happen at Camp
SPRING."
Reference was made to the de
STABILITY Of taking over the Agra
culture Departments experimental
Washington Airport.