Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-26
CHIEF ENGINEER
SMITH MAY STAY
! IfNaval Personnel Bill Passes
He is Ours.
THINGS SAID ABOUT HIM


Apropos tho transfer of Mr.. ]. A. p.
Smith. the efficient and very worthy
chief engineer Of the Steam Engineer
ing Department of this navy yard to
another post of duty, from the fact
that he has reached the limit Of time IS
years. OF shore duty the following infor-
nation from Mr.. John J. King. presi-
dent of the City Council. is particular
~ interesting:
Mr.. King. in company with Mr.. c.
H. Herbert Hon. Geo. L. Bowden and
Mr.. J.. L. Slater, when in Washington,
called on the Secretary of the Navy
and very earnestly urged the retention
at this yard Of Chief Engineer Smith,
advancing in i very impressive manner
several very important reasons for the
request.
Secretary Long listened to the argu-
mcnts advanced by his distinguished
visitors with close attention. after
which he referred them to the Chief
OF the Bureau of Steam Engineering
which is Chief Engineer Melville.
rms gentleman also received the del
eGation With marked courtesy and after
herring the mission of the gentlemen.
SAID that Chief Engineer Smith. having
served out his three years OF shore
duty at this navy yard. had already
been ordered to sea, and that Chief En-
Sineer MilliSan, Of tho Oregon. had
been ordered TO succeed him here Chief
Melville said that he could not now
couhtermand these arrangements. and
that although he personally desired to
retain Mr.. Smith at this yard. he could
not DO so without interrupting the
schedule of the service.
MAY YET BE RETAINED.
But. said the head of the bureau the
passage of the naval personnel bill Will
necessitate complete change in the
schedule of service followed by the
Navy Department. and that great mca-
sure now being before Congress on its
final passage. with fair prospects of be-
coming law this session makes as
yet transfers and other changes mat
ters of uncertainties. If the bill fails
10 he endorsed said he, Mr.. Smith will
certainly be detached. in fact, to all in
tents and purposes. has been, from the
Portsmouth. Va. navy yard. and or
dcrcd to the ship of his choice. either
the New York or the Oregon. that priv
ilegc being given him by this depart
ment. But Ii the personnel bill passes
then you gentlemen can rest assured
that Chief Engineer j. a. i. Smith Will
continue on duty nj your navy yard at
the head OF the Steam Engineering De-
partment, where he has done more for
tt!t siNiN III
man who has ever been at the head o.
its Engineering Department. which,
YOU know, is saying n great deal.
WHAT RICHMOND TIMES SAYS.
The Richmond Times yesterday. in
commenting on the efforts OF the dele
cation to have Chief Engineer Smith
retained, says:
Secretary Long can DO no better
! than comply With their request, for
| NJ. Smith in tho few I'm &
done much in keeping UP the excellent
! standard of the navy yard and has
| gained the confidence and good will OF
| the workmen and the citizens of the
! cities by the sea.
"Chief Engineer Smith Is not n grad
uatc of Annapolis. but entered the ma
val service during the war as an OK
| pcricnced machinist. and in the years
since has proved Il valuable man In his
| branch Of the service.
---tic has been closely identified with
! the practical side of modern shipbuild-
ing ut the Cramps in Philadelphia, and
| at the Columbian Iron Works of Bal
| timore. where. under his most compc-
| tent and constant supervision the ma
chincry for the Detroit and Montgom-
cry was splendidly constructed.
| THE Importance Of the Portsmouth
! yard cannot be oyercsimated by Sec
| vetary Long. and 1t would be a most
/ agreeable recognition of the efforts of
| the South in shiphuldnG to have him
| grant to these Nirginians their request
| for The retention of Chief Engineer
! Smith.
The exceptional ability Of Mr.. Smith
! combined with his sterling qualities rs
/ a man aud officer. is recognized in Vir-
| Ginia. and we trust Secretary Long will
| waive any obstacles and permit him 10
| continue his excellent work in the
! Portsmouth yard"
]