The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-24

Has Secretary Of the Navy Long ordered
the expenditure of the sums appropriated
by congress for the development and I'M
provsment Of the Puget Sound naval sta
ton?
Apparently he has, according to informa-
ton received in the city yesterday from the
dry dock at Port Orchard. This infwma-
ton 10 to the effect that work In various
Departments at the dock. and particularly
in the line Of providing facilities for tho
repair Of the engines and machinery OF
vessels. 10 now progressing. where. several
weeks ago. there was stAgnation.
Commandant Green. Of the naval station.
was In the city for short time yesser-
day. Capt. Green II reliably reported to
have expressed himself as well satisfied
with the outlook for the dock. whereas, for
the past year. he has been endeavoring to
bring the officials At Washington to his
view regarding the necessity for the en-
largement Of the functions OF the station
and the erection OF the new machinery re-
pair shops.
II il now stated that tho navy depart
ment has issued several orders Of late
which indicate more eloQuentiy than words
an entire change Of attituds At Washing
ton regarding the Puget Sound naval sta
ton. 1t n understood that work has been
begun on the plans for the plant which Il
to contain the machinery for the repair Of
every part Of vessels machinery. Or.
ders have. It Is understood. been issued
which will result in work being pushed
along this line. The money that has been
appropriated for the erection OF this plant
is to be expended Immediately. 1t Is relia-
bly, reported, and the intent Of congress
finally carried out.
Plans are now being considered for the
erection Of steel wharf at the dock. which
is greatly needed for handling heavy ma
chinery and tools for the repair shops
This dock has been the subject OF much
correspondence between the station and
the navy department. The appropriation,
$4,000. for the construction was made a
long time ago. It is now believed that the
money appropriated will be expended for
the purpose intended by congress.
More than this. however, the navy de-
partment has requested the commandant
at Port Orchard to furnish estimates for
new work which. II adopted and carried
out. will widen the scope of the station
and increase Its usefulness.
A letter from Secretary Long. received
yesterday by the Chamber Of Commerce
indicates that the neglect which has char
acterixed certain heads Of bureaus In the
department in their attitude toward the
raval station is ended, and that hereafter
the station IL to receive the attention. its
merits call for.
Apparently all this II due to the agita-
ton which had It's inception in Seattle, and
which was begun by the Chamber Of
Commerce. In the work Of bringing the
naval authorities to view the Puget sound
station in the right light the efforts OF
Senator'S Turner and Foster and OF Con.
gressmen w. L. Jones and r. w. Cushman
played very strong part
Commandant Green. Of tho station. who
was lately made captain, 10 soon to be
retired. His tenure Of Office at the dock
will end within = few weeks. On account
OF his service In the war Of the rebellion,
he will be entitled to be retired as rear
admiral, with three-fourths sea pay Of
that rank. This will be approximately
$40 per annum. Capt. Green served with
great distinction In the rebellion. Once
he was assistant 20 Lieut. (now Admirably
George Dewey. then navigating officer OF
one OF the war vessels employed in the
blockade Of the MissiSsippi