The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1899-03-30
No VALID
OBJECTION
To Port Orchard as
a Naval Station.
CHAMBER OP COMMERCE REPORT
~ the Special Committee A.
pointed to iavsstigsts
the natter.
CHAMBER OP COMMERCE REPORT

At the meeting Of the chamber Of
commerce yesterday afternoon a re-
port was made concerning the de-
lay Of the Eovernmenf in building
the naval station and completing the
dry dock AT Port Orchard. The
special committee consisting OF John
II. Allen. r. O. Graves. and Thomas
Burke. reported that the govern
ncnt could not Ind better place
on the Pacific coast for a naval sta
ton. and that the money already
appropriated ought to be used i'm
medlateiy.
Probably no document has been
read before the chamber for several
years that attracted 80 much atten-
tlon. The report was brought about
by the hostile statement OF Chief
Endicott. In his annual report. 10
the effect that Port Orchard was
not the place for a naval station.
The committee stated that the gov
eminent appropriations made by
congress last year. amounting %
sgia. 900. have not been expended, ow-
ing solely 10 the unfair objections OF
Chief Endicott.
Eatioott's Objections
The report begins by quoting the
Language used by Endicott In rela-
ton 20 the Port orchard dock.
This station contains a drydock
OF the largest capacity. Machine
shops for construction and repair.
general atorehouse. and machine
shop for the bureau OF steam engiu-
eering in provided for. 80 that
the yard Is fitted for ordinary re-
pairs TO the vessels OF the navy.
The few objects above enumerated
are considered important for I'm
proving the station I'm some respects.
which viii add to its efficiency and
facilitate the work OF the several
bureaus. No extensive Improve
ments are contemplated at present.
unleHS IL should be the desire OF
congress to very much increase the
esta bllshment at this point. and 80
a considerable portion Of the work %
the navy upon this part of the coast
Moderate facilities are valuable at
this station. but II II be important
that this country equip nrst-ciass
station or yard In this vicinity, near
the limit of its boundary. which the
bureau believes. then another site
should be selected or sought which
combines the essential requirements
of such n yard in a nearby popu-
iatIon supplying enough skilled Ia
Dor, a market with supplies. con-
veniently and quickly available. and
direct railroad connection with a
trunk line for the quick and econ
omIcAl transport OF material.
..rhe present site possesses none
of these desiderata. The nearest
city OF considerable size is fifteen
miles away. Communication with
the rest OF the world is by water
carriage over this distance, and the
little work done Mt this station has
been under disadvantages. When n
naval vessel has been locked and
repaired. skilled men have been sup
plied and transported at great ex-
pense from the Mare island yard.
"IInder these conditions. 1t IL
doubtful II II he wise to build up \
very large establishment at this sta
ton and provide for more than dock
ing and slight repairs, unless no suit
able site near one Of the large cities
and railroad communications can be
had"
Point Of Disagreement.
The committee agreed with Chief
Endicott that only a first class ma ~
yara should be established on Puget
sound. but fatty disagreed with him
In his attack upon Port orchard.
In 1890 congress- authorized the
use OF 81 .06o, 900 for the building u
naval station ut that place, Six
hundred thousand dollars OF this
amount was expended in the build
ing OF large drydook. That the
drydock has been successes, Is evil
dent from the fact that the big bat
tleship oregon was successful dock