Evening star., 1942-09-06
MoryIonders Facing Eviction
For Airport Bow to Army Need
Comp sprnes-Meodows Folk Must Leave
Cherished Homes and Forms in lo Days

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 II
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:
Its just the thought of busi-
ness that I've put II years into
building up being taken away &.
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 fcolored 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 lane
in the condemned area. They in
herited the property from theil
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. L
this will help we aren't complain
ing. But we've been here 40 year,
and it's going to be hard ;"
Will Seek Home Here.
DR.. w w. Stewart, owner of NOR
| than TOO acres in the condemned
area, will leave the big home h
built 81 years ago and try to fln'
another place in town. DR.. an,
Mrs. Stewart live in large hous
in the center of a 68-acre tract.
There is an artificial lake nea
DR.. Stewards home stocked wit
game fish He was down there yes
terday trying to catch some fish fo
dinner. Those he doesn't eat in tn
next few weeks will be left behino
Its our duty to 60 and we ar
willing to do it," said Mrs. Stewar
simply. I'VE are not complaining
On the wall of one of the rooms i
the home is a picture of thei
grandson, who is in the Marin
Corps.
Joseph Escott, 81 years old, ha
an 18-acre farm which is bein
taken over in its entirety. He ha
hundreds of chickens. Mrs. Escot
was out trying to locate anothe
farm yesterday when reporter
called.
We'll find another place, eithe
around here or up in New Jersey,
, he said. We'll make out all right.
Y Must Move by September "A.
The Army has delivered notice
: to about 125 families in the are
e so far. They have been told ths
|, they must move within 10 days afte
September IA.