Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22
NAVY YARD WORK.
There Seems 10 Be a Plenty OIL II NOW
in Prospect.
vroRr NEWS AND RICHMOND.
,r FACILITIES for building Gum
,..,,. and Dattleships, and the MR.
,,.c~x Therefor-PInniSed shnd-
-. Eject on LegisIstion'

.,,,t 10 sell the government navy
80 c,onts TO private corporations VINO
',,, Co.. them In constant and active
.-.,,,n viii not be pushed, II Secretary
-, can be induced 10 adopt policy
,t.., y,u provide work for them. Keep the
go and shops from going to decay
- secure the permanent services OF
.r.t mechanics. The Naval Commit
-, has decided upon the building OF
,..- erst-class battleships OF n,OO tons
s..,.f,c,ment each. and ffteen torpedo
go the latter to be double the size
80 .,v Of those now under construction
by this government. This number may
ha increased before the passage of the
naval appropriation bill to six battleships
and twenty-five torpedo-boats, in which
eveut there would be ample work for
s.yeral of the navy-yards, besides giving
sorne out by contract TO private con-
c,rrs There was a strong effort In the
committee 10 make the bill provide for the
larger number ana had two OF
ifs members-Ifall, of Missouri, and
Rob.nsJn. OF Pennsylvania-whc were abb
cent been present, the six ships ana
twenty-five boats would have been agreed
uron. Anyhow, the bill as It is, makes
f. larger provision for the increase OF
the navy than has been done by any
offered at previous sessions, and II is
therefore expected that the navy-yards
VIII Doe more literally dealt with in
the future than in the past.
There is every prospect now, that
wien tho bill comes up in the House, if
the war spirit regarding Cuba continues
20 prevail, there may be an appropria-
ton made for six or perhaps eight big
ships. and as many as thirty torpedo
boats. All Of the Democrats favor the
larger number and a respectable follow
lng Of the Republicans.
Whatever may result the total amount
required 10 build the four battleships
sf 1900 displacement and the fifteen
lorped0-b0ats. provided for in the bill,
viii be pcarly So5.0l0,OO0 including the
amor a.. armament. and IL can easily
b. seen that the department viii have
every opportunity OF keeping the navy
yaus I'm active operation. The battle
fhls are TO cost about $3,375,0OO each.
Gl4 the torpe, ,-boats about $4,000 each.
I, is also gratifying 10 note that the
t,i leaves 1t Discretionary with the Sec
retarv OF the Navy whether these ships
md boats shall be built by private con-
tract or in the government nayy-yaTds.
No stipulation is made on this score, so
that Secretary Herbert and his Naval
Board have il in their power TO utilize the
navy yards to the fullest extent.
VIRGINIA WORKSHOPS
Newport News has at present all the
work that can well be handled in her
extensive yards though some OF the tor
pca0-bOata could easAy be built there. II
Is also suggested that the Richmond Lo-
comouve-W orks, which SO successfully
constructed the machinery of tho Texas,
ls equipped for any number and, II ne.
cessary, all Of the torpedo-boats, and If
let 10 contract, no doubt that enterprising
concern viii be a bidder on them, as
Wen as on machinery for some of the
proposed new battleships.
Al Of the details OF construction be-
Ing left 10 the officials of the Navy De-
partment. there is every reason TO believe
thar II the proper representations are
made TO Secretary Herbert and his at
teution IS called to the advantages Of the
Norfolk navy-yaTd, and the plans fOI the
deepening and widening Of the channel
thereto the building OF at least one of
Tie big battleships could be secured for
that yard. This would keep the force OF
men at home, and in active employment
Improve the plant upon which so many
millions Of money have already been eX-
pended, and keep the yard in a thorough
state o., efficiency for the docking and re-
pair Of the largest ships in the navy, If
necessary.
This would stop the cry Of "sell the
uayy-yards," which has been taken up in
ue vicinity of all the government plants,
u some provision is not made TO keep
them IN active operation.
WEST POINT.
Mr.. Morgan Treat. Of West Point is in
The city, stopping at the Metropolitan.
lie s. here mainly on business with the
authorities of the Southern Railway Com
pany having in view the commercial and
other Interests Of West Point. In coh-
necuon with others. he is manoeuvring 10
encourage the establishment Of 'nanufac-
turing plants in the thriving little town
Al the head Of the York river.
Mr. Treat who is wen known as q
Republican. IS also doing some missionary
work in q political way. lie is a McKin-
iey man. though a warm personal friend
ol Colonel Lambs. and he greatly de-
p.ores The factional troubles which have
D. thoroughly disrupted the party In
Richmond.
PLANKED SHAD.
Tho next Sabbath after the 18th Of
March is generally the date for an ex-
elrslon down the Potomac, and dinner
Of 'pankcd shad," which Washingtonians
regard as the rarest de,icacy in the way
p nsh, when cooked and served on the
oank of The river. and accompanied by
proper rlfreshments and good company.
Statesmen OF high degree, even from
me West where they eat catfish, have
iI been captured by the planked shad.
tli puts on a festive look in the eye OF
n srayost senator 10 scrutinlze 1t.
lae local river man IS always watchful
The budding spring, and his catch Of
M ana is ready as soon as he sees
Ile aster,isament for the first Sunday
ncurs.on
4lere are several places at various dis
,h.,s. tae most noted being Marshall
70 opposite Mount Vernon. The seine
Aie4 and that IN itself is a pleasant
ip'tiac.e, ile c0lOrod haulers wading in
81, water waist-deep. and selzing shad,
'' an4 surgeon with wild Darwinian
ls Of delight There is a pit nlled
"''N Hickory Goals. and before this open
N'. zoe slad are split down the back
-'.-l 20 2-nch oak boards. and roasted,
'-' COOK bastng them with sauce OF
I.2pr ana salt, butter and celery This
'4 ue savory odor are enough 70 whet
appetite OF chronic dyspeptic, and
Nh.n lhe ilsh Is served on rough tables.
l. plenty o. wine and bser. IL Is a feast
te remembered with the tenderest
t-as.9n OF the soul. The roe is served as
sAia1' with white lettuce. and the usual
apartments OF d luxurious country
dinner
Ihe "Fofiy-Ninors" give one OF these
'"ais every spring. and nearly all OF