Evening star., 1948-05-26

IIVuSV ViVuP " VVV
Reluctant Approval
To Annapolis AirfieId
The sl2oo0,0Oo airfield proposal
FOR the Naval Academy at Annapolis
will get reluctant House Rules
Committee approval today, only be-
cause the project cannot readily be
detached from a $208 100000 top
priority" Navy measure, members
said.
Storm center of controversy in
the Annapolis Baltimore Washing
ton area for more than a year, 1t
caused bitter debate in the Rules
Committee yesterday afternoon.
It's principal advocate, Repre-
sentative Bates, Republican. Of
Massachusetts,, asserted most oppo-
sition came from nearby summer
residents, who apparently put their
own convenience and happiness
above the security requirements of
the country"
Necessity Questioned.
Several Rules Committee members
questioned the immediate necessity
Of such fight indoctrination facil-
tiles for midshipmen and acquisition
of 2,400 acres of land at this time.
They tried unsuccessfully to per-
suade Mr.. Bates to introduce the
Annapolis project as separate bill.
The committee later decided In ex-
ecutive session to vote on the over
all bill this afternoon. Chairman
Allen predicted the committee Will
send it to the House.
He added that the Naval Academy
airfield project, proposed s2oo 'ooo
chapel for the Naval Medical center
at Bethesda and a provision for
S3,OOO,OO0 for family quarters 1or
NAVY officers would encounter OPP
position on the floor. House DEBATE
may start Friday.
The bill to authorize buildings and
facilities at many Navy installations
throughout the United States ana
in Alaska, Guam and other overseas
sareas does not specifically designate
a site for the Naval Academy air
field. The Navy's reported plan Is
to acquire land along Chesapeake
Ray near Sandy Point and the Ma
gothy River, a short distance north
n,r% of the acaden1y
Groups File Protests.
Protests were received by the
Armed Services Committee and the
Rules Committee from groups IN
Baltimore and other parts OF Mary
land. Mr.. Bates declared Annap-
oils CITY officials and civic organiza-
tions approved the project, which
was first authorized in 1943 but post
poned during the war.
Mr.. Bates disclosed that the Navy,
after sitting area requests for ST.
500 100000 in installation projects,
asked for a s800,000,000 program
for the fiscal year. This was re-
duced to s250,000,000 by the Budget
Bureau and trimmed to about S2O7,-
OOo.O by the Armed Services Com
mittee.
The committee had approved a
5000 ,689, 500 total, of which sll6,-
1856 500 would go for overseas work.
It cut the total to about $208, ,483, 500
this week by revising proposed al
lowances for officers housing.
The Naval Academy airfleld pro-
posal, Mr.. Bates told the Rules
Committee, Is mo. 5 on list OF
some 500 top priority Navy building
projects"
Representatives Harness. Repub-
lican, of Indiana opened the sharp
questioning by asking If the s12,-
100000 isn't just beginning" and
whether the plans call for lux
urious swimming pools and of1cers
quarters.
Admits Drawings "Grandiose."
Conceding that original archi-
tect's drawings were rather gran
diose." Mr.. Bates explained the
$l2,OO0,0O0 not only is essential now,
but would cover all needs for the
future
Mr.. Harness wanted to know why
the academy could not give basic
air training at Andrews Field or
the Patuxent Naval Air Station. Mr..
Bates replied those places are too
far from the academy and in other
respects not suitable for the type
of training necessary.
Representative Sasscer. Democrat,
of Maryland, whose congressional
district includes the area in ques-
ton, declared there would not
have been any opposition in Con-
gress to this proposal II 1t hadn't
been for a well-fnanced lobby that
has been publishing lots OF propa-
ganda.'
Van Zandt Urges Approval.
Representative Van Zandt, Re-
publican, OF Pennsylvania urged
approval of the airfield proposal. He
said it had been approved not only
by six Navy Investigating Boards in
recent years but also by four Con-
gressional Boards of Visitors to the
Naval Academy.
Another heated exchange occurred
when Mr. Harness said he doubts
the advisability of spending $205 900
for a chapel at the Bethesda Med
ical Center, especially if existing
auditorium facilities can be used.
When Christianity is under fire
throughout the world" Mr.. Bates
exclaimed, II certainly don't want
to take the responsibility of limiting
religious services. The present facil-
tiles for religious worship at
pathnSda arc not only inadeallate