New-York tribune., 1876-05-17
EXPENSES OF THE NAVY.

RETRENCHMENT ADVISED ALONG THE WHOLE LINE
THE CLOSING OF ALL YARDS EXCEPT Ar BROOK
IYN. MALE ISLAND, AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OF IHE BUREAU SYSTEM
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, May 16-Mr. Willis, Chairman
Of the subcommittee NayyYards, made report TINS
morning to the full Naval Committee. This report was
divided into TWO parts and the first contained the follow
ing recommendations First: The closing OF all navy
yards except those Of Brooklyn, Norfolk, and Mare
Island This recommendation is based upon
the theory that tho only which the Government now
has for navyyards is for tho repair OF its vessels
and machinery. Eventually Mr. Wills proposes 10 close
the Norfolk yard also, and to have all WORK III time OF
peace performed at Brooklyn and Mare Island Ine
Brooklyn yard is now the most important which the
Government has, 1t IL convenient TO the sea, favoraby
situated possessing unriyaled facilities Tor obtaining
cheap material and labor Is never bocEadcd by lee ana
il within convenient distance from the fresh water OF the
Hudson River where the ron-cad hoet can DC iad up
with per .ect safety.
Mr. Wilis,s report next recommends that no naval
station sba he authorized or established except at
Of the navyyards which it is proposed to close The sale
Of the Carlestown and Washington NavyYards Is rec
ommepded since each is situated within the limits OF
largo city, which makes the property very valuable The
retention OF the Kery and Pensacola yards Is recon-
rnended so that work may be resumed in them IL made
necessary by war or other exigences. These yards
II sold would bring only very small Another rec
ommendaton is that further appropriations be made
for League Island NayyYard. Mr. Willis estimates That
the cost to complete this yard aud put in good working
condition win be 60000O00, and he thinks that 1t VIII
be better for the Government TO lose the money already
expended upon 1t than pay out large as this
AT he would postpone the expenditure until more
emphatic approval Of the project is obtained
The recommendation in the first part OF the report
s that proper provision be made Tor guarding Govern
ent property the uavyyards which 1t is proposed TO
close This part OF the report was considered Dy inc i
Committee to-day, and preliminary vote upon IL was
taken From this IL Is assumed that the Committee will
be more likely 10 recommend tho closing OF the Mare
Island yard those at Charlestown and Washington
On the second part Of the report action was taken
proydes for the abolition OF the bureau system ID the
navyyaris. and for vesting all the power OF appoint
ment In the commander of the yard giving MN super
vision over Inspections rcqusitions ana surveys anu
holding him accountable therefor under penalty OF
court-nartal The bureau system Is an Outgrowth OF
the and is believed longer necessary TO se
cure efficient service in the yard On the other hand
makes necessary the employment OF five or Six times
as many clerks would otherwise DO needed. with us
many books and systems OF bookkeeping, causing I'M
necessary complications and division OF responsibility
Under the system, orders given TO the heads
Of bureaus In the yards directly from the Department at
Washington and often without the approval OF the com
mandant of the yard, who Ia on the spot and
familiar with the necessities Of the service.
Mr. Willis next recommends the abolition ana ais
charge OF watchmen in nayy-yards and the use OF ma
rnes IN their places THIS change Is approved by ma
jory OF the officers who have testified before the
Com ittee Another recommendation Is to make 1t a
criminal Oonse solicit money for political purposes
from employees Of the navyyards during hours of labor
Mr. Willis would also have the prices of labor and num-
Der Of hours during which workmen In the navy-yards
should be employed governed by the general practice In
the immediate vicinity. Another recommendation the
wisdom Of which will be seen without illustration and
argument is to make 1t criminal ofensc for any en-
poye ofhcer OF the Government under the Navy
Department receive presents for services from
contractors 1t Is also proposed TO forbid private work
being done In the avyyards either gratuitousy or
otherwise and stop the performance OF any work or
furnishing Of any material without specific ap-
propratons unless it provided for In
the general estimate. The transferring OF
appropriations from one bureau To another In the