The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-23
A Wall FROM VALLEJO.


task because of a recent editorial de-
scrtbing the manifest advantages Of Port
Orchard a. a location for q navy yard.
The editorial In question abounds In
abundance Of sarcasm, but sarcasm is
Lot argument 1t does not attempt to
eunfroyert any of the facts stated. In
his concluding paragraph the writer adj
vises the Post-Intelltgencer not to .nsti-
suie comparison with other naval sta
tIons, and 90 make some endeayor to
get sufficient population around there
10 do the work, for up to the present
time every piece Of important work per-
formed at Port Orchard was the handi-
work Of mechanics transferred from
Mare Island for the purpose"
II our contemporary viii wait until
the next census is taken he VIII find
that Puget sound has been getting the
population With commendabie rapidly.
As for those expert Mare Island me-
ehanics. the less said the better A num-
Der were sent up here TO work on the
Iowa. We are informed that less than
a dozen were retained. while some sixty
local mechanics were employed. Not
wishsdandsng, the bilge kee.s were put
on the Iowa in less time than similar
job was ever done before. Any ordinary
repairs can be made at the Puget sound
naval station by local mechanics as ef-
iicienfly and economically as at Mare
Island, and the navy department is now
informed of this fact.
The News advises us not to institute
comparisons with existing navy yards.
We claim that the site of Port Orchard
embodies more natural advantages than
any other in the country Several naval
officers who have visited 1t are emphati-
caliy of that opinion. Commodore Will
son, who was at the head OF the con-
struction corps OF the navy for fourteen
years. remarked, after inspecting the
site, that far less expense would make Ii
a more efficient navy yard than any ex.
listing establishment. His successor.
Admiral Hichborn. Ia we'll posted re-
garding the advantages of our station,
and has been steadily endeavoring 10
equip IL with suitable machinery for all
repair work. In consequence the shops
of his bureau are partially fitted up
with the most modern tools, and
be is urging thai the equipment be- COM
plessd
Comparisons may be ''odious,' but
To show the advantages OF the site at
Port Orchard they are necessary. we
claim that with the strong probability
of more than one-half OF our naval ves-
sells being In the Pacific in the future,
equipped navy yards on the Pacific
coast. One Is already established at
Mare Island at cost Of untold millions,
and II win probably be kept In commits
sion. no matter how great the expense
We have no objections. but We claim
that IL would conserve the hest Interests
OF the government at once TO thor
onghly equip the Puget sound station to
do any class Of work performed a;
Mare Island. We do object to appro-
pria'ions of two and one-haif millions
for improvements at a navy yard much
TaSss sftsss9 Mt q - hi
station Is almost wholly overlooked
Il was Admiral Endlcott, OF the bib
reau OF yards and docks. who sug-
ges,ed that there was danger that all
the improvements at Marc Island, ag
gregating many millions Of dollars.
might have ID be abandoned. His re-
port year ago showed that Sal 900 had
been expended In dredging the previous
year and q large amount remained un-
expended, He asked FOR slon.e9
mere for she same purpose. and also
stated that at least s55o.oQo was neces-
sary 10 dredge certain shoals before ctr
hastieships could safely cross. The
commandment at Mare Island ard the
cisit engineer stationed there. with their
thorough local knowledge. estimated
ana asked the last congress fer ss20@0
10 iee1ge a deep water basin. ard
$3.50. dsso fer dredging channels and an
chorssse grounds" These amounts. APP
propsiaresi ana estimated for dredging
alone. would. IL iasitesousiy expended at
Port Orchard. make IL a fssiiy equipped
navy ward where any exi-ttnx or
prospective batss@shtp ~aaIa he re-
paired. cattreIy ny local mechanics
The News feeiiDgly remarks that
"Aere we havv p granite dock that has
never est "a dollar for repairs The
News Is IN egrer aeo8t the repairs, and
osyiss all reference 70 ths constant
dredging whleh Is necessary e. PERMIT
.he approach - thF senioats ard ssnasl
"a - g. -