Evening star., 1945-09-09


War Powers Act. the Navy has the right
to take over st. Johns campus with the
consent of the Naval Affairs Committees
of the House and Senate Prior to
granting this permission both COM
mittees held hearings at which the OBJ
jections of st. Johns officials were aired
and at which the Navy gave it's reasons
for the move to acquire st. Johns.
1t was apparent that st. Johns would
not stand in the way of necessity pro-
viding the compensation for the college
property should be adequate to establish
the college on another campus possessed
of equal facilities
The committees also were aware of pro-
poSalS from other parts of the country,
especially from the West Coast, that
instead of expanding Annapolis Sec
ond Naval Academy should be estab-
hshed. Those favoring second acad-
emy are not limited of course, to the
West Coast group which within itself
is divided with both California and
Washington pressing claims. From the
Middle West has come a request that
the Great Lakes Naval Training Sta
ton be expanded and converted into a
Naval Academy. The Navy has been
firm in its opposition to any second
academy.
Testifying before the House commit
tee, Vice Admiral Moreell, chief of the
Bureau of Yards and Docks, declared
that the acquisition of ST. Johns is an
absolute essential to the expanding of
the Naval Academy. His statement was
backed by Capt. R. H. Hillenkoetter,
director of planning and control of the
Bureau of Personnel, who testified that
the bureau considered that it must have
st. Johns in order to provide officers
for the postwar Navy. He said that
even though postwar plans are reduced
to the point that an increase of the
student body at Annapolis over the
present 5000 would not be needed, still
st. Johns would be required for the
efficient conduct of the academy.
DIR. Parran Testifies
In answer to a question concerning
and other buildings across the Severn,
Capt. Hillenkoetter expressed the Navy's
opposition. Chairman Vinson then
asked, you would always have friction
between the two sides?" you would,
indeed the captain replied.
When the testimony for St. Johns
got under way, three things were ap-
parent, ST. Johns did not want to sell,
the college officials would not stand in
the way of the sale If the Navy found
it necessary to take over the property
and st. Johns wanted to be assured of
payment sufficiently large to permit it's
authorities to acquire another site and
replace its buildings with others ade-
quate to carry on the work of the COL
lege on basis equal to its normal ac-
tivity.
DR.. Thomas Parran, chairman of
the Board of Visitors and Governors,
was the first witness. After his pre-
pared statement, Chairman Vinson
asked:
You also stated that you are in this
position That if the Navy feels it is
essential for the Government and for
the naval program to have St. johns
College, then there is no objection on
the part of the Board of Visitors to
the Navy acquiring it?"
That statement is correct, Mr. Chair
man. DR.. Parran replied, with one
very important proviso. Your statement
represents our views provided that ac-
| QUESTION is made on such terms that
the college will be able to continue its
functions"
Then the only question, if the Navy
finds it needs st. Johns College is the
| question of the proper consideration
from the Navy" asked Mr.. Vinson
That is correct" DR. Parran replied
S75O,00O Held Too Low. q
Getting down to figures later on
DR.. Parran declared that the tentative
figure of $750,000 for the st. Johns
property is by no means sufficient
compensation but added that he was
not in position to state just what the
board feels would be adequate.
DR.. Stringfellow Barr, who followed
DR.. Parran as witness declared that
| it could not be reiterated too often
that "St. Johns does not wish to leave
| home" but he also stated that the board
| would not stand in the way if the Navy
| requires the property. He said that
| the college is not interested in price
desiring only that in the event of sale
the end result will be that st. Johns
will be able to carry on its functions
to the extent now possible on the ex-
isting campus.
Richard F. Cleveland, secretary oi
the board, declared that the suggested
| figure of $750,000 even for dead rea
estate would be extremely low, although
he could not give any figures on re.
placement cost of the buildings. No.
body knows, he said, when building
can be undertaken or what the costs
might be.
After the hearings were completed, the
House committee voted unanimously ir
property and the majority of the Senate
| committee notified the Navy Depart.
ment on July % Of their approval OF the
plans.
As to the suggestions for second
academy, Navy officials are unbendint
in their opposition
Expansion Held Economy.
From the point of view of economy
they are on solid ground, for the expan,
sion plan at Annapolis could double the
capacity of the academy at far less cos