The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-03-04


The prospect for drydock legislation
by this session of congress seems TO nave
taken a turn for the better, in that the
feeling in the house committee on naval
affairs. where the initiatory steps to-
wards such action must be taken, mas
undergone a decided change since the
recent fatality to the Maine, showing, as
it has, under what disadvantage the
country is now situated in regard to
| adequate docking facilities. Up to the
time of the occurrence of this disaster,
the members of the house committee
were inclined to report the regular naval
appropriation bill without any pro-
vision for the construction of any adj
ditional docks, so imperatively needed,
throughout the country, for fear that
as there are so many sections pleading
for recognition in the drydock matter
it might be best not to hamper the
passage of the bill by weighing it down
with any long discussion and attempts
to amend on the docking question which
would inevitably result if some sec
lions were provided for in the way Of
drydocks in the measure and other To-
calities were left out, it being stated
that the expense Of authorizing the
construction of docks in every place
where they are needed would involve
too large an expenditure of money to
be made at one time. In the event of
the whole subject being left out of the
regular naval bill, it was stated that
later on a measure would probably be
brought in treating of drydocks in their
entirety. when our present facilities and
what we ought to have could be minutely
priation made to construct new docks;
but some ofthe wise ones say that this
half promise was only held out pro
tempore to head off the drydock en-
thusiasts from attempting to hamper
the regular bill with appropriations for
additional facilities, in case the COM
mittee should decide to hold the whole
matter in allegiance for the pres
ent.
But the accident to the Maine seems
to have caused a different atmosphere
to pervade the committee ROOM 1t is
stated that the fact that if the disaster
in Havana had occurred nearer home,
and as a result it had been found neces-
sary to dock the Maine, if such thing
were possible, after she had been floated,
we have only two docks which would ac-
commodate her, has suggested very
peculiar state of affairs to the gentle
men who compose the naval committee.
IT was then stated by one member of
the committee that in case of war and
the necessity of docking our first-class
ships, the Maine being second-class,
and. therefore smaller, what should we
do with only one dock-the one at Puget
sound-to look to? The condition OF
things which this suggestion revealed
influenced good many of the members
of the committee to regard in favor
able light the proposition of providing
an appropriation for the liberal con-
struction of adequate dry docks immedi-
ately, and in the bill which the commit
tee is now drafting. The very grave
situation which today exists between
Spain and the United States has also in
clined several other members of the
committee to the belief that every pre-
caution should be taken by this govern
ment to be prepared to maintain its ma
tionaI honor, which it cannot now dc
with its docking facilities at such low
ebb, believing, with George Washing
ton, that the best way to maintain peace
is to he prepared for war.
As vet the committee has held no for
NAL conference. The discussion of the
matter has been purely informal, but II
is evident that the Individual members
, feel differently about it than they die
before the occurrence at Havana
, Chairman Boutelle is reported to have
all along been favorable to the idea OF