Evening star., 1947-01-27


range in value from $4,000 to
$4,000.
Echoing Mr.. strong's arguments
was Melville B. Grosvenor, 2001
Woodland. drive NV. Mr.. Grosve-
nor is assistant editor Of the Ma
tional Geographic Magazine.
He pointed out that most Of the
homes on the island are about Is
years old and that they represent
substantial investments.
A leader in the fight is William H.
Labrot, owner Of 1,100-acre farm,
part of which would be taken over
for the airfield.
Whitehall in Runway Path.
Mr.. Labrot charged that about
150' homes in the area would be
torn down and similar number
would be made "unlivable" by the
roar of airplanes.
He said historic Whitehall, built
in 1760, home Of the last royal Gov
ernor of Maryland, would be in the
direct path of one Of the runways,
although it would not be included
in the land desired by the Navy.
He charged that the airfeld would
be "outmoded before it is COM
pleted" because Of new technical de-
velopments in flying, such as jet pro-
pulsion and supersonic aircraft.
These things cannot be taught
In an airfield such as the Navy con-
templates building here" Mr.. Labrot
declared. "They must be taught in
air centers where facilities are more
adequate. The Navy admits it
merely wants to indoctrinate its
midshipmen in flying here, so why
build huge airfield for such a
purpose?"
On the other hand, approval OF
the project has been voiced by the
Chamber Of Commerce.
Held Asset to Annapolis.
william r. Wiley, secretary. said
the organization feels expansion OF
the Naval Academy's functions
would be an economic asset to An
napolis. He added that the airfeld
would increase business in the area
and result in more income to local
The Anne Arundel County Board
Of Commissioners also has voted in
favor of the project.
Many officials believe the Navy
might move the academy from An
napolis If it does not get the airport
site it wants. Vice Admiral A. w..
Fitch, recent academy commandant,
cited such possibility last summer.
The Navy point of view was ex-
planned by Capt. r. B. Pirie. head OF
the Department of Aviation at the
academy.
Tracing the background of the
plan, Capt. Pirie said that in 1912
a board was appointed by the chief
of the Bureau of Naval Aeronautics
to select a site for an airfield at
which midshipmen could be given
aircraft training.
He said the purpose Of such field
was to indoctrinate midshipmen in
the problems involved in flying.
Several Sites Surveyed.
'We wanted to train them for air
in the same way we train them for
sea operations" Capt. Pirie ex-
planned. More extensive air train
Ing could be given at existing Navy
fields elsewhere, but they do not
have facilities to give preliminary
training"
After surveying several proposed
sites, including Beltsville and An.
drews Field in Prince Georges
County and areas near Baltimore,
the board selected Sandy Point,
about eight miles from Annapolis.
Capt. Pirie said the selection was
made because Of Sandy Points prox-
unity to the Naval Academy and
because 1t also could be used by sea-
planes to supplement the acadeny's
present seaplane base.
A $4,000, 900 appropriation was
made by Congress in 1943 to start
work on the airfield, but Admiral
King, then chief Of naval operations,
decided against it on the ground it
would divert materials needed in the
war effort, Capt Pirie said.
In 1946, surveys again were made
for site and again Sandy Point