Evening star., 1951-10-26
Lynch Urges
Probe Of Burke
Airport Plans
Foirfox Delegate Hits
6. o. P. Charges of
Profit on Lond Deal

Profit on lund Deal
A congressional investigation Of
leading to the Sc
lection Of the Burke Airport site
was invited today by Edwin
Lynch, Fairfax County delegate to
the Virginia General Assembly
The Democratic State legislator
made the statement in response
to q radio address by his Re-
publican opponent. Douglas A.
Clark, which Mr.. Lynch said was
shot through with lies"
Mr.. Clark declared over Station
WEAM last night that Mr.. Lynch
and his father-in-law. Martin r.
Webb, stand to make an estimated
$500. 900 profit from the sale of
their land to the Federal Govern
ment for the airport. He asked
for a congressional investigation.
Would Welcome Probe.
II would welcome a congress
sional investigation Of the air.
port" Mr.. Lynch said. because I
have been strongly opposed to its
location at Burke from the very
outset.
I'm fact. I have been trying to
find out why it was located there
myself. There are a lot of things
about the decision which I do not
yet understand"
This land was bought by Lynch
and his father-in-la so early in
the history Of the airport proposal
that they were easily able to
swing one of the most remarkable
real estate bargains in the history
Of Fairfax County" Mr.. Clarke
said.
Land Bought In 1928.
He added that they had pur.
chased the land at from $1l to
$50 an acre and would sell at an
estimated average of $500 an acre.
Mr.. Lynch said Mr.. Webb had
acquired about 500 acres IN 1923.
Il challenge any one to show
how man could have known, %
years ago. that an airport was
going to be located at Burke. It's
just all too ridiculous and is a
typical example of the Republican
Party campaign of character
assassination.
According to Mr.. Clark, a total
OF LILO acres was purchased by
Mr.. Lynch and Mr.. Webb. The
Republican contended that more
than 300 acres were acquired be-
tween April. 1947, and March.
] 1948. e
i Mr.. Clarke further charged that
!, after the land purchase Mr.. Lynch
. and Mr.. Webb knew the Govern
!, ment would acquire their holdings
and that Mr.. Lynch had spon-
. sored resolution ir the House Of
: Delegates directing the Virginia
, Advisory Legislative Council to
make study Of the feasibility of
testablishig an airport in Fairfax
; County as an alternate field for
Washington National Airport.
4 Refers to Records.
, Mr.. Lynch said he did sponsor
the resolution. and added:
THE records of the subcommit-
tee Of the legislative council, which
are public and were available to
my opponent. will show my con-
Germ regarding the proposed loca-
ton Of the airport at Burke.
The Burke area is hilly and
rocky and will cost the Govern
Iment needless money. On this one
point I can agree with my oppo-
J nent. The record shows that has
been my position.
THE claim that the Govern
ment will pay an average of $500
) an acre for my land is preproster-
4. Gus. The tentative appraisal for
t unoccupied acreage is about $100
l an acre. 1t is true. some of my
land has been cleared and I was
: preparing to build on the farm
! next year and live there.
; No Ulterior Motives.
!. But If I had any Interior mo-
: tives in purchasing the land, why
! should I court another investiga-
ton by another legislative COM
mission-tile Virginia Advisory
Legislative Council?"
The Republican claimed Mr..
Lynch and Mr.. Webb would make
"a handsome profit Of half a mil
{ lion for allegiance to the Fair
l Deal"
Mr.. Lynch is identified with the
liberal wing of the Democratic
Party and supported the CAM
I. paign of Francis Pickens Miller
!. against Gov. Battle in the States
last gubernatorial primary.
5 Mr.. Clark told his radio audi
5 ence he was opposed to any air.
: port in Fairfax County because
it meant a loss of tax revenue,
would depreciate land within a
smile radius, and subject people
II