Evening star., 1948-06-08
ComuIitteeFai|s
IoRenoveBafl
On Neviius Tract
>
Prospects Of Using
Site for VA Hospital
Apparently Killed
By George Beveridee

The House Appropriations Com
n1ittee today failed to lift its con-
tr6versial ban on use of the Nevlus
tract in Arlington for proposed
veterans hospital-apparently kill
ing the prospects of using the site
for the carefully planned 750-bed
institution.
Attempts to lift the ban are ex-
pected to come through amendments
when the House takes up the Vet
erans' Administration appropriation
bill tomorrow, but committee men,
bers said they plan no further ac-
tion. If the amendments fail, last
ditch fight may be carried to the
Senate.
II the ban holds the Government
will have a 81 10000 white elephant
on its hands, and no immediate pros
pect for its use.
Title Already Acquired.
The House slapped the ban on thy
25.acre property last June after
Representative Smith, Democrat, of
Virginia protested that it was too ex-
pensive VA already had acquired
title to the land, depositing 1851 900.
In February, however, Federal
court in Alexandria awarded owners
of the property, headed by Avon
M Nevius, retired vice president OF
Riggs National Bank, $l,600000 as
the purchase price.
VA use of the land then became
an ION again, off again proposition,
with VA officials confidently expect
ing the appropriations group to lift
the barrier.
Withdrew Objections.
Records of committee hearings,
released today, disclosed that Mr..
Smith officially withdrew his objec-
tions to use of the land for the hos
pital at a hearing May 26. He testl-
fed that as long as the Government
has bought the Nevius land, Il do
not see any point in going some
where else and buying another site"
He also Endorsed letter from
Veterans Administrator Gray sug-
gesting an amendment to allow VA
to 90 ahead with its plans. Rep
resentative Phillips, Republican, OF
California, who headed the sub
committee which heard Mr.. Smith,
said today the group has had no
evidence to make us change the de-
cisions we made last year
He charged that the Government
should never have bought the land
and that 1T was taken over by
DR.. Paul R. Hawley former VA
medical chief just to save doctors
a mile-and-a half drive" He said
the piece of land that adjoins Fort
Myer on Lee boulevard-one and
half miles from the Nevius tract
already is owned by the Govern
ment and would make better
place from the veterans stand
point"
Suggests Other Use.
The Government, meanwhile, Mr..
Phillips said, can use the Nevlus
land, at Arlington Ridge road and
Lee boulevard, for other construc-
ton. He said no definite proposals
for Its use have been made but that
"the Government is always bulld-
ing"
Mr.. Smith reversed his stand on
Use of the tract unofficially last
November, after the Arlington
County Board removed its objec-
tions. The board had hoped earlier,
county officials said, that the land
would be used commercially to
bring revenues to the county.
When the ban was imposed last
year, VA virtually had completed
plans for the proposed general med
ical hospital to cost an estimated
S15,OO0000. The plans were COM
pleted after lengthy discussion with
city and Federal planners to make
sure the buildings would not conflict
with beauty of the Lincoln Me-
mortal, in a direct line across the