The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-01
1T LOOKS LIKE CHARLESTON.
IMPRESSION is THAT THAT CITY
WILL GET THE STATION.

Report That syndicates in Charles
ton Are buying Possible Sites,
Though, Is Rcpugnant to the Sec
rotary of the Navy-Savannah Re-
ported Ready tn Donate a Site for
the Station-The Board VIII Soon
visit Port Royal and Charleston.
Washington. June 3O.-At the navy de-
partment the impression seems to prevail
that unless extortion is praeticed by the
people of Charleston in the matter of the
site for the new naval station, the trans
fer from Port Royal to Charleston or vi
entity will probably be made. The board
of officers just appointed to investigate
this subject in accordance with a recent
act of Congress is said to be favorable to
the transfer on general principles OF
course no one knows what discoveries
they may make at Port Royal and Charles
ton when they fully investigate all the
circumstances and conditions existing in
both places.
The personnel of the board is such as
to insure a fair and impartial verdict as
they are men of high standing, who are
not likely to be influenced by political or
local considerations. 1t is apparent to
those who discussed the subject with Sec
rotary Long, Rear Admiral Endicott and
other officials in authority at the navy
department that there is a very strong
prejudice against maintaining the station
at Port Royal. Various reasons are as
signed for the existence of that prejudice,
and whether not an honest investiga-
ton will strengthen that prejudice remains
to be seen in the report of the board, of
which Rear Admiral Rodgers is president,
shall make to the Secretary of the Navy
Some of the Charlesio nians are so con-
fident that the reDort will Re favorab BILE
to their city that it is alleged syndicates
are being formed to secure options on sew
eral of the desirable sites for the pro-
posed station at Charleston. Whether it is
true or not, intimations 20 this effect
have reached the navy department, and
Secretary Long unhesitatingy declares
that If such practice is resorted to he
will use the discretion given him by Con-
sress and act as his best judgment may
dictate vii schemes of that kind which
may be contemplated.
A strict construction of the law on the
subject requires that the secretary shall
Port Royal alton and the feasibility OF
continuing it at that point If a change
of site is regarded as essential to the st
Interests of the government then the
board is authorized to examine the facili-
ties afforded for a first class naval sta
ton and dry-dock at Charleston or vic'n-
i'y. The scope of their examination is by
law conf1ed to Port Royal and Charles
ton If neither place possesses the re-
qu'red facilities and is dee med available
further act of Congress viii be neces-
sary for the secretary to consider the To-
cation of the station at Savannah, Bruins
wick, or Wilmington, N. c.
In this connection it is stated at the
navy department that Savannah, with its
usual thrift and enterprise and readiness
to take advantage of a practical business
proposition stands ready to donate to the
government without cost a site in Savan-
nah harbor admirably adapted for the To-
cation of the naval station. Savannah
while not seeking to deprive Port Royal
of the prize she now enjoys, appreciates
the many advantages and benefits to a
community which accompany first-class
naval station. If the Port Royal station
is to be abandoned, Savannahs ambition
TO compete for the prize is laudable, and
her friends are making the contest in a
straightforward, businesslike manner
The board will probably assemble at the
navy department at an early day, receive
their instructions and then proceed to Port
Royal and Charleston to pursue their in
vestiga ton and report to the Secretary of
the Navy.