Evening star., 1941-02-26
16Mi|IionAsked
In Defense Bill
For D. T.. Area
House Committee
Backs 1l2,000-Acre
Virginia Purchases

"a eeAAA A'c'J NNPsA SAAASAAs ftSJ
ects in and near Washington would
get more than s16.647 900 in the
fourth supplemental national de-
fense appropriation bill for 194l,
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 $3,7O3 900 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 81 ,650,O00; to add 1850
acres to the Fort Belvoir (VaD res
ervation at calculated cost of
S664,000, and to purchase an addi-
tional so acres at Boiling Field at
an estimated cost of 100000.
Most of the projected activity in
the District was contained in the
Navy's public works program, which
called for a $309, 900 research labor
atory; expenditure of S1,25O,0O0 at
the Naval Air Station and $3.50 900
at the Washington Navy Yard. The
Army asked for S134,200 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 unit
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-
mony 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-
ton 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 new estimate of 1928, 400 for
work under way at Langley Field
to include s108, TOO for additions and
which no estimates were made
previously.
New estimates included in the
supplemental requests we're S45l 000
! to provide two new runways $50 feet
by 4500 fec at Langley Field and
s230.170 for : levee and backEll at
Fort Monroe The Langley FIELD
total included s50,000 for grading
S225 900 for paving, $50 900 for drain
age: $4,000 for night lighting and
$4,000 for bomb storage.
Regarding the Fort Belvoir ex-
pansion proposal, Army spokesmer
said: The present post consists OF
about 1900 acres and under exist
ing plans it is contemplated to train
an additional 1900 to $1,000 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 tc
the post is vital for efficient training
and an area of 300 acres in an iso-
lated section for training in demoli-
ton work is also required" The
necessary land in Fairfax County is
expected to cost an average of S34C
an acre.
The recommended 60-acre addi-
| ton to the 543-acre Boiling Field is
needed, according to Army reports
because privately owned land to the
south of the field would present 9
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 81 ,250,000, would include a $780,
900 operations building, a $500 00C
land plane hangar, 100000 for 6
recreation building and accessories
$250000 for extension of barracks, g
$4,000 seaplane ramp, 100000 for a
shop building and accessories ano
$4,000 for extension of runways
and the like.
The Navy Yard $3.50 900 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 barracks.
Moreover, projected orders and
acquisitions called for 100000 in
machine tools. for production of fire
control optics at the naval gun fac.
tory here, with s650,000 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, $4,00l ,645; for Ar
lington Va) cantonment, ST, $50,
and for Fort Myer, s187, ,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
$541 1888 for the lump sum" portion
of the work; Fort Belvoir, $10.965.-
$40 for fixed fee work and $156,078
for lump sum activity; Arlington
cantonment sos $50, all on lump
| sim ho SiS and Fort Mver 1905 ESQ