The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-05
Not a Sure Thing That the
Coveted Ship Will Go
to San Diego.
Mare Island Estimate That $500
a Month Will Be Required
to Care for the Vessel.
Gov. Budd May Demand More Than
Grail Assurance of the Cash
Before Assigning the Ship.

1t is not sure thing that the United
States steamer Marion will go to San d.
ego after all the talk that the ship would
be sent to that port. u. S. Grant tele-
graphed from this city 10 the San Diego
people that Governor Budd had agreed to
make the assignment of the ship in &C
cordance with the desires of the Secretary
of the Navy and the wishes of the San
Diego public.
1t is now reported that the Governors
promise was not positive, but was condi-
TONED on the ability OF San Diego to care
for the vessel. Mr.. Grant fancied that
General James estimate Of $500 month
as sum necessary to main tain ;he ship
in good order was in excess OF the amount
actually required for that purpose. As
there seemed TO be a wide difference OF
opinion on this subject, the authorities at
Mare Island Navy-yarG were asked TO
make an estimate, and they did as re-
quesIed. They figured that the Marion'S
maintenance would cost $400 month.
The Governor has not receipted for the
ship and may not do so until the San
Diego division presents something more
than oral assurance that the money to
care for the vessel can be provided. When
the vessel is accepted from the United
States the State OF California becomes re-
sponsiole for the proper care of the craft.
At meeting OF the board OF location
held In this city recently Governor Budd
directed AdjutanI-GeneraI Barrett and re-
Quested Lieutenant Hughes OF the Unite
States navy to go down to san Diego and
ascertain definitely If the division of the
naval reserve stationed at that place
could take care of the Marion.
General Barrett has not yet executed
fba nrdar nf I'm Croua-pnr in,
and Lieutenant hughes has not been bic
10 get PERMISSION OF the Navy Depart
IAent 10 make the trip. Governor Bud
Is, therefore, without offic al lntelIigen ce
in the matter. The San Diego reserve
men say that all the money needed can
be raised by the progressive people OF that
town. The San Francisco reservemen, on
the other hand, aver tina: the mem bers OF
the San Diego division do not know what
they are talking about. 1t is admitted
that the money might be raised for few
months, but it IS commended that the
amount would not De forthcoming for
every month OF the next two years.
The Governor is not in a dilemma on
this proposition, but he IS between the
devil and the deep Sea. If he assigns the
ship to San Diego there Will be a great
QUERY in the San Francisco ranks of the
battalion. If the ship IS assigned 10 the san
Francisco divisions there will he tumult
akin to muLiny IN the harbor OF San
Diego.
Some news concerning the dilemma has
evidently reached the ears OF the Secre-
tary OF he Navy at Washington. The de-
partment, perhaps, entertaining the de-
fusion that more advice was needed for
the Governor detailed Captain Courts,
U. S. N, for duty with the Naval Reserve
of this State. With the advice and coun-
sci, therefore, of Major General James,
who was formerly in the navy. General
Barrett, who served in the infanty, and
CAP tain Courts and Lieutenant Hughes
who have been TO sea recently, the Gov
ernor ought to be able to steer the ship OF
State safely into some port,