Evening star., 1941-02-26
16MiIIionAsked
In Defense Bill
For D. {. Area
House Committee
Backs 112,000-Acre
Virginia Purchases

War and Navy Department prof.
ects in and near Washington would
get more than S16,647000 in the
fourth supplemental national de-
fense appropriation bill for 1941,
presented in the House today by its
Appropriations Committee.
While most of this amount is
for completion of construction work
already begun at nearby canton
ments, some $3,7O3000 is approved
for new or expanded military facili-
ties in Washington and in Alex
andria. Va.
The Army received the commit
tees Endorsement of its proposal to
buy 10000 acres of land in Virginia
for training maneuvers, at an esti-
mated cost of ST 1,650,000; to add 1850
acres to the Fort Belvoir CVaO res
ervation at a calculated cost of
$664,0O0, and to purchase an addi-
tional 60 acres at Boiling Field at
an estimated cost of 100000.
Most of the projected activity in
Ullc D1SI1lIU was III lllC
Navy's public works program, which
called for a 100000 research labor
atory: expenditure of $1,250,0O0 at
the Naval Air Station and S960,000
at the Washington Navy Yard. The
Army asked for $134,200 to finish
the medical center recently begun
here.
Virginia Site Held Ideal.
1t was not disclosed just where
the Army plans to locate the new
training area in Virginia. Depart
ment officials said naturally" the
disclosure could not be made until
negotiations were completed to pre-
vent skyrocketing prices. The no.
900 acres is expected to cost an aver
age of SIS an acre.
1t was stated. however, that about
10000 to 10000 soldiers from the
Eastern portion of the Nation will
use the area and that an artillery
range would be set up. The teSti-
n1ony said that in order that such
a concentration area might be made
available for early spring and sum-
mer training of troops now under
going basic training, deferment OF
site acquisition would seriously deter
planned training and concentrations
in the first Army area.
In urging acquisition OF this area,
the Army reported that land in
Virginia is particularly suitable for
the purpose since it can be used
throughout the year, is easily &C.
cessible over well-drained roads,
contains no swamp land is
sparsely populated and the acquisi-
tion would entail very little hard
ship on the present inhabitants - .
since a great many have abandoned
their farms"
To Train $4,000 Men.
The War Department also sub
mitted a new estimate of 1928, 400 for
work under way at Langley Field.
to include s108,700 for additions and
alterations to existing hangers for
which no estimates were made
previously.
New estimates incluAed in the
supplemental requests were S45l 900
to provide two new runways $50 feet
by 4,5O0 feet at Langley Field and
S230,170 for a levee and backffll at
Fort Monroe. The Langley Field
total included $4,000 for grading,
s225 900 for paving, S50,000 for drain
age: $46,000 for night lighting and
$4,000 for bomb storage.
Regarding the Fort Belvoir ex-
pansion proposal, Army spokesmen
said: The present post consists of
about $500 acres and under exist
ing plans it is contemplated to train
an additional 1900 to 1900 men at
the reservation. The terrain avail
able is very restricted and presents
a serious handicap. An area of ap-
proximately 1,150 acres adjacent to
the post is vital for efficient training
lated section for training in demoli-
ton work is also required" The
necessary land in Fairfax County is
expected to cost an average of S340
an acre.
The recommended 60-acre addi-
ton to the 543-acre Boiling Field is
needed, according to Army reports,
because privately-owne land to the
south of the field would present a
hazard to flying operations if con-
verted into an industrial section.
Navy Yard Expansion.
Suggested Improvements at the
Anacostia Naval Air Station, to to-
tai S1,250,000, would include a $780,
600 operations building, 100000
land plane hangar, 100000 for a
recreation building and accessories,
s250,000 for extension of barracks, a
$4,000 seaplane ramp, 100000 for a
shop building and accessories and
$4,000 for extension of runways
and the like.
The Navy Yard $3.50, 600 appropria-
alton calls for improvement of me-
chanical facilities, additional storage
space. reconditioning of the power
plant and extension of the torpedo
plant at Alexandria, Va, and re-
modelling of existing buildings for
Marine barracN
Moreover, projected orders and
acquisitions called for s40O 900 in
machine tools for production of fire
control optics at the naval gun fac
tory here, with $650,000 asked for
machine tools and equipment for
the naval gun factory at Alexandria,
where torpedoes are manufactured.
. Funds approved for completion Of
nearby military posts were: For Fort
George G. Meade, Md, $6,973, 1923;
for Fort Belvoir, s4,001 ,645; for Ar
lington (Va.) cantonment, $71,550,
and for Fort Myer, $187,977.
Estimated total costs of the work
at the respective posts were as fol-
lows: Fort Meade, $16,859, 500 for
work done on fixed fee basis and
S54l 1888 for the lump sum" portion
of the work; Fort Belvoir, $10,965,-
$40 for fixed fee work and $156078