The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-07
DRY DOCK BILL SAFE.
Notwithstanding Adverse Talk
the Act Likely to Pass.
BOTH SENATORS ARE AT WORK.
Efforts Made by Hale to Change the
Location and Cut Down the
Appropriation.

WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. Especial. Some
OF the additions to the naval appropriation bill,
as reported 10 the Senate, are: One appropria-
ton of $4,000 70 enable the president to cause
souadings TO be made between San Francisco
and Honolulu for the purpose Of determining
the praaticabiiity OF laying telea raphic cable
and an appropriation of SIS 600 for the purchase
OF site for, and 500 600 for beginning work on,
new dry dock to be located ON Puget sound or
the Columbia river, the limit of cost of the new
dock being placed at 100000, and discretion be-
ing left with the secretary of the
navy as to the exact location The
change in the recommendations for the dry
dock on Puget Sound is another blow to the
Pacific coast, all the more noticeable because it
follows quickly upon the defeat OF the bill for
an ordnance factory at Benicia, Cal. Senator
Aliens amendment TO the naval bill is hardly
recognizable, as the committee amendment does
not provide for the acceptance Of the site at
Port Orchard, but directs the secretary of
the navy TO acquire for the sole purpose
OF the dry dock land not to exceed 100
acres at such point on the Columbia river or
Puget Sound as he may select. Twenty-Five
thousand dollars is appropriated to pay for this
land, and the secretary is instructed to erect for
naval and commercial purposes dry dock TO be
not less than 600 feet in length 200 feet wide at
the bottom, and capable OF admitting vessels
drawing thirty feet of water. Its cost remains
at 100000. the same rs ia the Allen amendment,
out ouly c-VV,VuO Will DC Appropriated LOT COM
mencing the work.
In Senator Aliens bill the land to be acquired
was confined exclusively to the state OF Wash
ington, but the committees report adds Oregon
This was undoubtedly done at the suggestion.
OF Senator Hale, who is u member of the COM
mittee, and who has always thought point on
the Columbia river was the proper place for the
drydock on the Northern Pacific coast 1t is also
known that he has been opposed to
establishing another naval station ON
that coast, which accounts for the large
reduction in the amount of land to be acquired.
The Port Orchard proposition contemplated the
purchase of 1900 acres at cost OF $4,000,
double the amount needed for 100 acres accord
ing to the committees report.
There will not be another naval station on the
western coast OF the United States for several
years, as there seems to be jealousy on the part
OF the eastern senators, who want all naval
works concentrated on their own seaboard.
Senator's Squire and Allen were the busiest
men in the capitol today. 1t is thought that the
bill locating a dry dock at Port Orchard will
come up in the senate tomorrow, and the sena-
tors were engaged in canyassing for majority.
1t was reported to Squire that Allison was going
to oppose the bill in his Enthusiastically vigor-
Gus way. When Squire heard this he held
consultation with his colleagues, and they
together summoned Allison into the marble
room adjoining the Senate chamber and asked
him if he would mind stating his objections to
the bill.
''After due consideration replied Allison az
don't think have any objections to the bill,
and shall not impede its progress in the least /"
Pleased with this assurance, Squire and Alien
visited other members of the Senate and OBJ
tanned assurance which made them think that
the bill Will be adopted.