New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-29
THE PORT ROYAL DRY DOCK,
TT PROVES A WHITE ELEPHANT ON THE
ADMINISTRATIONS HANDS

Two PRIVATE FIRMS HAVE REFUSED TO ALLOW
SHIPS IN WHICH THEY HAVE PECUNIARY
INTEREST TO ENTER IT. AND YET SEC
RErARY HERBERT HAS ACCEPTED 1T.
[sY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRInuSE.l
Washington Oct aS.-The Port Royal dry
dock Is proving a white elephant. Its reported
insecurity and the shallowness OF the water
approaches matters which shipbuilders and
engine manufacturers regard with much seri-
BUSINESS. They think It unsafe 10 put vessels
In and two firms have notified Secretary Her
bert that docking a ship there would be dan
gerous. and have declined TO take the risk.
And yet the Navy Department has formally
oepted the dock. This that the Gov
eminent has taken dock which cautious pri-
vate companies afraid TO employ but in
which naval vessels may be placed.
There dispatches have before pointed out
that the Cramps refused to have the battle
ship Indiana cleaned at Port Royal. before her
recent trial trip. Had the ships bottom been
scraped and painted she would have made
greater speed than she did. The Cramps would
not trust the do.k. and from patriotic motives,
/, is said. preferred TO lose some premium for
speed in excess OF contract requirements rather
than send the ship to Halifax.
Now comes the Richmond Locomotive Works
with an earnest objection to the dock This
company built the engines of the Texas. and
has not yet been paid in full for the labor and
material furnished Therefore. in a sense. 1t
is part owner with the Government. Secretary
Herbert appears to be anxious that the Port
Royal dock should be used by some big naval
vessel He is said to be influenced somewhat
by the fact that the station is in Southern
waters Presumably Southern political press
ure on him is becoming strong. A few days
ago the Secretary urged the Richmond firm to
consent TO the docking of the Texas at Port
Royal The company. having heard of the re-
ported condition Of the dock and not wishing
to pay the excessive rates Of insurance when
would be charged under the circumstances
politely but firmly said. NO.
Thus the Secretary has two refusals on his
desk from private companies to take the risk or
putting in the dock ships in which they have pc
cuniary interests. Practically, therefore, the
Navy is without station where its biggest YES
sells can readily and safely be repaired. Secretary
Herbert may believe that the Port Royal basin is
In good order. He must think SO; otherwise, why
did ne accept II from the contractors? 1t seems
too severe to say that politics would enter into a
case of the kind Due 10 the politicians serious
delays In completing naval drydocks nave come
about but 1t is to be hoped that the final accept.
ance Of big modern basin which cost about
$3.50. 900 would not depend on the wishes OF the
'majahs" and hedges Of the Sunny South
But one fact is clea :. However well prepared
for the business for which IT constructed Sec
rotary Herbert may think the dock. private com
panies notably the two mentioned, regard tne
basin as insecure and decline positively 10 fisk
their property In II. Usually private companies
are more cautious than the Government. IL Is
said that Mr. Herbert will this winter order ships
10 go into the dock The vessels VIII be some s Oh
those In commission which are owned outright by
the Government There is no doubt OF the right
Of the Secretary to do this. But under the cir
cumstances there IS a question OF expectancy or
II has been deemed advisable by the Navy
Department to walt for high water before a L
prookIvn although IL believed that the
dock there was capable Of allowing the entrance
OF the largest vessel in the Navy at any tde
The decision not to dock the Texas excep, at
high water is due TO the fact that the sides
OF the dock are too angularly inclined inward
making IL somewhat risky for q ship with so
great a bilge as the Texas 10 attempt to enter
eYcenting under the most favorable conditions.
II Is known from comparative measurements
Of the dock and the battle-shp that the la,.sr
can enter at low tide, but. while the unoer,ah
ing ia not considered dangerous. the Depart
ment thinks II best to be on the safe side.
The situation at the Brooklyn yard IS some
What more serious than il appears to be for
4, indicates that In case of accident TO the
Texas her sister ship the Maine. or larger war
vessels there would be no drydock oeiongihs
10 the Government capable Of accommodating
them without fisk
In The Tribune OF Sunday last attention was called
IN the possibility of delay in the docking Of the
Texas and the difficulty of placing her in the timber
dock in the Brooklyn yard was pointed out Inc
STABILITY Of the dock is not questioned as NesseiS VI
much heavier weight have rested securely within
Us walls the danger lying in the possibility OF a
scrape along the side walls of the dock by the sldes
~ az cruiser Ii may be remembered that wher
.bs New-York was first taken out of water in Brook
iyn danger present, and she was not noateo
into inc e GTe her abundance Of water and plenty
room That the Washington authorizes are eiviht
viii probably lead rushing OF work not 9 n
IN completing the new Brookyln dock ou, IN % pnI
Royal and making 1t safe for vessels OF all weights
and sizes.
MR.. OILERS CLAIM AGAINST VENEZUELA
HISTORY OF AN EFFORT. LASTING NEARLY
EIGHTY YEARS TO COLLECT $4,000
Washinston Oct. 2s-Ancient history and inte1na
tonai complications between the United States anc
Venezuela we're the dominant features or case
tina; was disposed OF by the Supreme Court OF th'
United States to-day In an opinion oriehy an
nounced by Chief Justice Fuller. The story Is this
Early IN the century. when one OF the various
revolutions which have marked the history o.
Venezuela was in progress. and al the feques' o
General Bolivar. Bogart, Kneeand Co. ana Jaco'
Idler OF Philadelphia, furnished arms ana mum
tons OF war to the Government Of Venezuela OF u
value of $1,000 The claim was not PAID and II
,soo ~ tbsreabouts Idler went TO Venezuela 10 en-
force the collection OF the money. He spent tei
or twelve years there. and succeeded In getuhs
Judgment from the Supreme Court OF the state 10
about thirty thousand dollars. In the mean tlne
4, is asserted he entered into contract on oehaii
himself and his associates. with one Chatalhs'
lawyer to pay him $500 for money advanced ah'
10 per cent OF the amount Of the judgment secure
against Venezuela from the nTst moneys pdiu VI
sccour, thereof. Subsequently the IoNeIhhv.' y
Venezuela being dissatisfied Win me result y
Idler's litigation invoked the principe OF SPANS
law known as ''restitut.o IN interim loI ~
purpose OF having the judgment set asioe ah1 ~
rair1 dismissed Two OF the three Judges OF IN
Venezuelan Supreme Court rather IMAM pe pa pa,
Ties 10 such d proceeding. resigned their PAGES %
the bench and ne" court Was estaD, .r "a a.
hoe out of more complaisant material me Juus
ment in favor Of Ider was revoked ana the cla'H
ended. -. -, ....,.,.;o- n
the comrns s,on OF 1862 at Caracas, in pursuance o
a freaty between the TWO countries. Inc cialIl W
then urged before that body, and II decided ina
~. .L.ari