Evening star., 1942-09-06
Morylonders Facing Eviction
For Airport Bow to Army Need
Comp Springs-Meodows Folk Must Leave
Cherished Homes and Farms in 1o Duys

The people of the Camp Springs
Meadows area, where the Army is
preparing to build an airport, yes
terday were preparing to leave the
homes where many of them had
spent their lives.
There was no word of complaint
from the residents of the nearby
Maryland section, who are being
abruptly ousted from their houses
and lands.
The sentiments Of all were ex-
pressed best by Robert M. Hardy,
keeper Of a crossroads general
store at Meadows. Mr.. Hardy has
been in business in the area for IT
years, and has raised five children
in the home he is about to leave
He has no idea where to turn, Be-
cause of priorities, he cannot build
another place of business-or an
other home-in the area. Gazing
about the store-its shelves loaded
with everything from blankets to
chewing tobacco-he said:
"It's just the thought of busi-
ness that I've put II years into
building up being taken away i.
almost overnight. But if it's es-
sential that the Government have
this airport here, I'm not going to
complain. That will just be my part
in the war"
Sound Note of Regret.
The same note of sadness at part
ing with things into which had
been put a lifetime of hard work
crept into the voices of all the
others who were interviewed.
II guess the Government will give
us some money" said an old colored
| woman who had lived in a small
| frame house in the area for 40
years, ''but money can't pay for your
| home"
Many of the families in the area
! are colored farmers. Several OF
them own substantial homes and
rich farms, which they have built
up over the years.
I'VE won't find another place like
this said Ralph Amos, colored en-
| ploye of the Veterans Administra-
ton, pointing to the large white
| frame house where he lives.
The house was built only two years
ago and is owned by his brother
Ferdinand. There are five Amos
brothers, who own Is acres of lano
in the condemned area. They in
herited the property from Their
father and have lived there 40 years
"Of course, we don't want to &C
away from here" explained Ralph
Amos, "but we do want to CO.
operate with the Government. II
this will help we aren't complain
ing. But we've been here 40 years
and it's going to be hard :"
Will Seek Home Here.
DR.. w. w. Stewart, owner of more
than TOO acres in the condemned
area, will leave the big home HI
built 81 years ago and try to fnc
another place in town. DR.. ane
Mrs. Stewart live in a large house
in the center of a 68-acre tract.
There is an artificial lake neal
DR.. Stewards home stocked with
game fish. He was down there yes
terday trying to catch some fish fol
dinner. Those he doesn't eat in tn,
next few weeks will be left behind
ITS our duty to go and we ar
willing to do It," said Mrs. Stewart
simply. I'VE are not complaining.
| On the wall of one of the rooms il
the home is a picture of thei
grandson, who is in the Marin
Corps.
Joseph Escott, "a years old, ha
? an 18-acre farm which is beinl
taken over in it's entirety. He ha
hundreds of chickens. Mrs. Escot
was out trying to locate anothe
farm yesterday when reporter
called.
"We1l find another place, eithe
around here or up in New Jersey,
he said. We'll make out all right.
Must Move by September "a.
, The Army has delivered notice
to about 125 families in the are,
SO far. They have been told tha
J they must move within 10 days ate
September IA.