Evening star., 1938-06-15
HOUSE DEFEATS
AIRPORT PROJECT
AT CAMP SPRINGS
1873 to SO Vote Shuts Off
Consideration Despite
RooseveIt's Interest.
LAND GRAB CHARGES
HURLED BY CRITICS
Scott Claims Realty Operators
Would Be Chief Benefciaries.
Kick Back Pacts Alleged.
Washington must wait another year,

Washington must wait another year.
at least, for a modern airport.
Despite President Roosevelt's insist
ence that a new airport be established
at Camp Springs IN Southern Mary
land,~ the House last night fatty re-
fused to consider bill for that pur-
pose, and in doing so. killed and posi-
bility of airport legislation at this
session Of Congress.
House action was taken on a special
rule designed to assure consideration
Of bill to establish the long proposed
airport at Camp Springs. But the
House turned down the rule by de-
cisive 1850 vote.
The fight against the rule, and Incl
dentally the Camp Springs site, was
led by Representative Scott, Demo-
crat, of California, who charged that
real estate operators would be the
prcncipal beneficiaries if the site is
selected. TITS land grab" he de-
clared in vehement argument against
the bill on the House floor.
Charges strategic" Delay.
Mr.. Scott pointed out the Senate
passed the bill last August and said
the delay In seeking House approval
was desired by its proponents in the
hope lit would be pushed through" the
House in the closing hours of the pres
ent session of Congress.
Ghar0ac 0lcn kx, E~
Scott that there had been a question:
able exchange Of property at Camp
Springs since the site was selected for
an airport site by the Congressional
Airport Commission.
There are 81 parcels of land on the
proposed airport site, he said, and 10
of them have changed hands in recent
months at least once and some twice.
He also declared that options on the
site are from four to seven times the
assessed value
Mr.. Scott also charged that tho
persons designated to seek options on
the Camp Springs site had made
owners Of the property agree to kick
back" to them from 2 to 5 per cent of
the purchase price.
Tells Of Lobby Letters.
One owner of property at Camp
Springs, Mr.. Scott said, sent letters to
every member of the House, urging Sc.
lection of that site for an airport
He could well afford such solicita-
tion," said Mr.. Scott, because he
would make $4,000 on the deal"
Representative Nichols, Democrat.
OF Oklahoma. who served as secretary
of the Congressional Airport Com
mission, answered Mr.. SCOTS charges
in these words:
If there has been any corruption
let's have an investigation and send
somebody to Jail. But don't let's kill
this fine airport site"
Representative Mas, Republican,
of Minnesota, Marine Corps air
pilot during the World War, Joined
Mr.. Scott in opposing the Camp
Springs airport site.
There Is no reason" he said, ito
go that far out for an airport for
Washington. I have never seen such
insistence for an airport site. There
are better sites around Washington"
Maryland Cost Cited.
Mr.. Mas also told the House the
Navy Department had purchased land
in the vicinity of the proposed airport
for radio station at $13 an acre.
why pay $500 an acre for ground in
the same vicinity?" he asked.
Representative Phillips, Democrat,
of Connecticut likewise characterized
the proposed purchase of the Camp
Springs property as lone Of the most
miserable land grabs I've seen since
I've been member Of Congress"
In addition, Mr.. Phillips said, loca-
tion OF an airport at Camp Springs
would interfere with the Navy Depart
ment's radio station at nearby Chelt-
enham, and that the antennae of the
radio station would be dangerous to
planes which would land at the pro-
posed airport.
Would Develop Present Field.
Representative Randolph, Democrat,
Of West Virginia also opposed the
Camp Springs site. He pointed out
development Of the Washington
Hoover Airport would give Washing
ton lone Of the finest airports in the
United States"
Representative Brewster, Repub-
lican. Of Maine agreed with Mr.. RAN
dolph, and explained that the Depart
ment of Agriculture'S experimental
field in Arlington County, Va, is avail
able for extension Of the Washington-
Hoover Airport
why should land valued at $4,000
an acre continue to be used to raise
vegetables?" he asked.
President Roosevelt urged House
leaders to have the Camp Springs
airport bill passed before adjournment
OF Congress as q result Of dream he
had of . serious crack up" at the
Washington Hoover Airport.