The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-25

5000 men in addition to those now II no, :,
vice would be required to completely nin,l
our navy when the ships under cohoul cohl.,+ ~
tIon are completed, and even at ploSsos1Ie "Ie
provision should be made for one naasa aonn
that number or 1000 men. Tnese 4ooo o.'
reserve men could lie enrolled from e:,e nc
naval militia, men who saw service !, ~
the Spanish war, supplemented by enlo,.. -,
ment from the seafaring places TO Whom, ~
the amount Of pay during service, Clo
transportation to and from their pracuioe'
stations, and the uniforms furnlsnso,
would be sufficient inducements dns .in
cost to the government would he $l40, wv,
and MIR. Allen submits the draft OF D
bill to show his views ON this point.
Between October and October Is, the
assistant secretary made visit of inspec-
tion to the navy yards of the eastern coasG
from Norfolk, Va, to Portsmouth ana
his observations and this occasion were
made the subject of special report 10
the secretary of the navy. Speaking gem
orally of his conclusions, Mr.. Allen sug-
gests that uniform system of auditing
be adopted for the yards in the interests
of both the depaf Gment and the employees.
He also suggests consolidation of certain
shops during similar work under QiHer-
ent departments, seeing no reason for IN
stance, why each OF the several depart
ments should have a separate blacksmith
shop.
The result of Mr.. Aliens inspection OF
the yards in each case was as follows:
Norfolk Yard-Ihere are no modern
automatic appliances for extingnishing
fire in the buildings of this yard. line
commandant strongly recommends tine
alteration of the timber basin into deep
basin for shipping. If this change were
made there would be an addition of 1900
feet to the water front of the yard.
Changes are recommended in the shops OF
the steam engineering and the construc-
tion dsparrments to enable the plants to
be enlarged to meet the existing needs
and to allow better arrangements,
Much of the woodwork Of the wooden
dry dock needs extensive repairs Inls
dock is only nine years old and is an IL
Iustration Of the individuality OF build
ing wooden docks. The stone dry dock
nearby Is over 20 years old and 1t is In
perfect condition.
League Island Yard-This yard is adj
mirably adapted to the care and preserya-
tion of vessels in reserve and piers are
now in process of erection for giving
ready access to such vessels. The build
ines are poor and unworthy of great
department. of the government.
Naw York Navy YarG-Siatters at this
ward are generally in an efficient condi-
tion, Automatic fire extinguishers should
be fitted in the various buildings Of this
yard. Government property at the western
end of the yard is cut on by q public
except by act of the legislature. The
detauhed portion should be joined as
soon as possible TO the rest of the yard,
as at present it is not easily policed and
is the resort for river thieves and other
Objectionable characters. The No.
wooden dock is rottipg awsy like the
one at Norfolk. thus giving q second ex-
+txc ito Of fhfQ =
terial for structures which should be ab-
solutely permanent
New London-This small station is
well located, and is fairly we'll adapted
for use as coaling station and as base
for torpedo boats and small vessels. IL
should not, therefore, be abandoned.
There has been no work at this station
for years and the department recently
yery wisely, dissolved the skeleton orga-
nization which had previously existed.
and simply left the yard in care OF watoh-
man. II the Boston 81 New York navy
wards are to be maintained In an efficient
condition, there would seem to be no
necessity for the fitting out OF this as
large repair yard. ~
York and Norfolk, there was great
pressure OF work during the recent war
and any defects which appeared were
rectified so that matters are now In a
generally efficient condition. One need is
suitable building for the storage OF au-
tomobile torpedoes. At present there Is
not sufficient room and this has necessi'
tated their storage in various LOCALITIES
which aresnot altogether suitable.
Training Station-The authorities here
recommend that the accommodations foI
apprentices be increased SO as TO provloe
for 2OO0 boys Estimates have been sub
mitted for the new building. but not fol
building of sufficient size to accommo'
date this number Before any building
is completed the plans should be arranged
as to permit of expansion when the need
arises.
The commanding officer recommends
the building of two 300-ton briggs. similar
to those used In the British navy fol
training apprentices.
Boston Yard This yard has been prac
tically closed as general repair YARD Ior
many years. and in consequence tne
60 uipInent of the shops has become, ID
some respects. disorganized. Worse yet,
some OF the shops themselves are IN very
moor repair. The buildings generally
are the best at any of our navy yaras,
and if the reorganization Of the working
force is taken in hand by energetic ON.
GERS, this yard can be speedily brougnl
ND to foremost position. one OF tne
most important items for the efficiency
skilled mechanics is the proximity to
re ion where skilled labor in large quan'
tity can be readily. obtained. The hos.
ton navy yard has this advantage to q
great extent, perhaps than any other
The department has already arranged
for Improvements in this yard consisting
of a new dry dock and travelling crane
running along the water front. This
will add materially to the resources of the
yard. The bulk Of rope supplied to the
navy has for years been manufactured
at this yard, but the plant has become
somewhat antiquated in some respects.
The proper officers who are charged witt
this matter have already taken steps &c
bring the efficiency of the plant up tt
modern requirements as a repair stu
ton of the second class to be used in the
event of war.
CONNORS PROTESTS INNOCENCE.
Lynn, Mass, November 24.-Samuel