New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-07
BROOKLYN NEWS.
WANT SHIPS BUILT HERE.
CONTROLLER COLER PREsIDEs AT MASS
MEETING IN FAVOR OF GOVERN
MENT BUILT WAR VESSELS

There was large and enthusiastic meet
ing last evening Association Hall. In Fulton-st.,
which eagerly applauded every argument in favor
Of building some Of the warships az the
Brooklyn Navy Yard. The platform end speakers
desk We're draped with the National cOors. AS
Rear-Admral Philip entered with his he
ceivsd q hearty welcome
Judge Gerard D Van Wart called the meeting
10 order. and said the Navy Yard employees had
had made for Controller Coler a gavel Of wood
from Guantanamo Bay. The Controller, on
being introduced presiding officer. received a
cordial greeting He spoke in part follows;
Il is estimated that the Government has expend-
tons more than 100000 00 This expenditure
made that the Nation might under its i'm
mediate control shipyards OF its own, where X
could oulld and equip ships Of war Notwith-
he bri ms Of ne PSTy Pun Sqga mas eFJ ~
Such policy is neither wise nor commendahle;
and Is directly opposite that followed ny England
VISION and discretion should he exercised by
tending their respective functions. not 10
encroach upon the field of private rights and in
terests. which chould be kept invioate. Neither
should purely governmental functions be dele
gated to or regarded private functions though
unfortunately there is a decided tendency in this
The line Of demarcation between National state
ana municipal ownership OF public utilities and the
sharply drawn. for fear that the awakening to the
realization OF the Importance Of the action may
is fraIFht With The mos seIoI,s coIseGerres and
one which merits and should have the earnest
and immediate attention of the people
Objections have oeen made by the opponents Of
your measure that it requires more time and more
l No 10 onlld vessels at the plants controeG 3T
me Government than At those or private establish
ments. This is rs illogical il is unpatriotic, and
an PRt argument with which we cannot have any sym
The plant Of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. with its
close to source of supplies and material that is
practically unlimited and ready to answer TO a
call for army of the most skilled and ingenious
workers in the world. would with the same ad-
Vantages and enco fragment as are given 70
private establishments, soon equal and far excel
ne efficiency of private yards Private enterprise
favoring il 70 the total neglect of the navy yards
contr5ct labor In what Shouts be ana nstra2 is
/ purely governmental function is only de-
STABILITY. bur essentially
The encouragement and building up Of our navy
can have against the formation Of trusts and
hines an shi2ouildng. Prudence and discretion
seem to dictate the course Of construction Of It's
W4r7hips ny ne Government in its own Yards
during the Spanish-Am American War for rapid and
careful WORK IN preparing me Tesu, lar ana
stratfng the ability Of that NAVY Yard 10 accom-
plish anything in the shpbulidng line
Controller CoIer was frequently interrupted by
I applause. ana received hearty round az the con-
clusion Of his address
/ Walter B. Atterbury then read number Of
letters Of regret and IF Endorsement Of the move
ment. Secretary Porter, by direction of President
/ Mckinley. wrote that the matter had been sub
mitted the consideration of the Secretary of
! the Navy. Secretary Long wrote that be should
Z not feel Ike writing letter on the SUBJECT as
/ requested. long il under consideration
I by Congress unless the Naval Committee of the
/ Senate House asked for the views OF the De-
/ partmeut. Senator Plat wrote that he was in
/ favor Of the policy of employing American labor
and maintaining the efficiency of the Navy Yard
Mayor Van Wyck was in favor Of the movement
1 and sent mis- best wishes. President Grout was
also i'm favor NJ the movement and so was Lieu
/ tenant Governor Woodruff and others. Governor
! Roosevelt sent his regrets.
! Speeches were made by Andrew Mclean: exc on
/ Gr5- John Nj. Clancy A. Stewart Walsh. Con-
/ gresham Fitzgerald. Register James P, Howe and
/ George II. Warner Resolutions were enthusiastic
caly adopted asking Congress and the Secretary OF
/ the Navy 10 provide that AT least TWO men-Of-waT
/ De built at the New York Navy Yard during the
/ next years. and that at least one such vessel
! be always under construction at the yard. and
/ that a committee OF citizens TO be named by the
( chairman Of the meeting. should proceed 10 Wash
/ ingtou TO advocate the views expressed in the
! resolutions.
The Controller named this committee; President
! Grout. Register Howe c. Q. Bennett Townsend
/ Scudder. William c. Wallace. congressman Fitz-
/ gerald. briggs. Clayton and May. William c. Bry-
ant. Francis =. Wilson. George II. Warner. Adoiph
/ kImbe. DR.. Frank Wilson, Walter b Atterbury
! A Stewart Walsh and William BeTri.
| The Controller said he would also Try 20 go tc
! Washington himself L announced by Mr.
/ Atterbury that ne Democratic General Commute IS
/ OF Kings County had last evening passed resou-
tons in favor Of the movement.