The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-13

On February next the bureau OF yards
and docks OF the navy viii open the bids
submitted for tho construction of repair
shops and a storehouss at the Port Or
chard dry dock. preparatory 70 letting
che contract for the work. There is an
appropriation of $4,000 available for The
work, and II can probably be done well
within the limit of the appropriation.
This is but the start toward the work of
developing me Puget sound naval station
SO that the government may receive the
proper benefits from the heavy expendi-
contraction and repair has made an
earnest recommendation TO congress for an
appropriation OF at least $4,000 to proper
~ equip the repair shops with tools and
appliances for making emergency repairs.
ard has pointed out that in the absence
Of such tools the dock can only be used
for cleaning and painting. The dry dock
at Port Orchard Is the only one on the
Pacific coast which can take batueships
Ike the Oregon and. IN fact, ia the only
one In the United States which can dock
such vessels without great risk. The
New York dock is small and crowded and
In need OF constant dredging; the Norfolk
dock Is small, with a narrow water front,
and without an enormous expenditure for
dredging for several miles could not be
reached by any OF tho battleships. The
same state OF things exists az Mare island.
where the channe, IS constantly filing
up. and large sum IS annually expended
FOR dredging. without dollar OF further
expenditure. the Port Orchard dock IS
ready for docking the heaviest bsttleship
now aaoat or under construction IN the
American navy. With the relatively small
appropriation asked for toc.s ani equip
ment the Port Orchard dry dock can Be
equipped 70 perform any repairs needed
upon any American war vessel aloat in
rhs Pacific, and s. would se economy for
the government TO make such appropria-
ton
with these facts. abe Washington dels-
CATION IN congress ought to make the most
earnest effort 20 secure this sppropria-
ton In go doing they may have 70 nght
eAe secret hostility or active enmity Of
ths California delegation. who naturally
win seek 20 divert all o, the naval appro-
priAfions 70 be expended upon this Coast
80 the Mare island yard. BIT the weight
q. the Sepsr trnental recommendation, ard
ne facts which show the necessity % such
appropriations here. ought 20 be sgflcien;
70 overcome any objection which has no
more tangible foundation than iocal tsal-
eusy.
There s. another paint brought out In
the recent report OF the secretary OF the
navy which - % great interest % tire
state cs Washington. providing his views
g. ne subject viii be shared by his sue
eeSser and ftvorabsy considered by con
FTes. TIE secretary recommends the es-
faSs'sa1eat - a naval reserve system.
which coDtsnsp.atss the LAYING Up OF ths
greater number ~ naval vessels. bet in
con1illoa f7r Instant service. with the
nca-Terts18ol> Scores or board. the re-
rasin2er q tassr outa.s f. aataeeat store
houses a1d portion. a least. 90 their
crews "a Barracks. TIE eaari appointed
~ tAe SECRETARY = year sgo % look into
us matter has reported thar .sthsre Is
ueN, IN ire spln4on CT TIE board. No navy
ysr& or naval station on TIE Atlantic
sssss % sAs uH:ssa states sass IL a. pFss-