Evening star., 1940-02-25

Washington's outstanding land
marks, the towering three-masted
antenna of the Naval Radio Station
at Arlington, Va, probably early in
the new decade. The Navy already
has invested approximately S1,0O0,-
600 in the Cheltenham plant, in
cluding land, buildings, masts and
equipment of all kinds.
Under the terms of a 5000 900
program, extensive work has been
done on other naval centers in and
near Washington, including the
Washington Navy Yard, the Naval
Research Laboratory at Bellevue
and the naval torpedo factory at
Alexandria, Va. The Naval Proving
Ground at Dahlgren. Va, also is be.
ing greatly expanded to accom-
modate not only additional ordnance
tests but also certain portions of the
flight programs to which all
new types of naval aircraft are SUBJ
mitted by the flight test section
Of the Anacostia Naval Air Station.
Construction in progress at Belle
vue includes additions to warehouses.
for which 100000 became available
last July 1; construction of a rail-
road tide bridge or car ferry loading
dock, fuse loading plant and ac-
cessories and installation of weight
handling and transportation equip
ment.
Modern Torpedo Plant.
The World War torpedo plant at
Alexandria has been completely
renovated and modernized during
the past two years and electrical
distributing systems have been in
stalled for the operation Of new
machinery now being installed or to
be installed within the next year or
two. Funds for equipping the plant
are contained in the current supply
bill. BY next year the Alexandria
plant. idle since the World War, Is
expected to begin turning out tor
pedoes for the feet. A test range
in the lower Potomac River, near
Piney Point, was resurveying during
the past summer by 1t. Comdr,
Swepson Earle, former Maryland
State conservation commissioner, as
part of his active duty tour at the
Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren.
This course, originally laid out by
Comdr. Earle during the World War.
is to be used in connection with the
Alexandria project.
A new naval powder factory is
under construction at Indianhead
Md, to replace the present building,
erected in 1907, and now "in the
poorest condition." according to a
Navy Department report which said
maintenance funds to keep the old
structure habitable have become out
Of proportion to the value Of the
structure.
The importance of the Naval Re-
search Laboratory at Bellevue has
been increased under the leadership
Of Secretary Of the Navy Charles
Edison, who has transferred the
laboratory from the Navy Bureau OF
Engineering to his own ONCE and
added to it activities from other
bureaus. Among the most recent
construction projects proposed for
Bellevue have been a barracks build
ing, mess hall and instruction build
ing. Considerable expansion Of this
vital laboratory group is expected
during the next few years as part
Of the great naval construction pro-
gram and the attendant need for
increased research into all phases Of
naval design and construction.
The great Marine Corps base at
Quantico, Va, also has been very
considerably expanded during recent
years and further work Is contem.
plated during the 1940-50 decade.
AL Of these projects are expected
to have q revitalizing effect on the
neighborhoods in which they are
located. especially the big Alex.
andria plant, which is to bring hun.
dreds Of craftsmen of all kinds into
that community, increasing de-
mands Tor housing and improving
business conditions generally.