The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-17
Work Should Be Divided.

W01k ohOulQ DC DiNtotas
1t is to be hoped that Secretary Long
will pay some attention to, the letter
of the Seattle Chamber OF Commerce
on the subject Of the Bremerton navy
yard, following as ii does report OF
the commandment at Bremerton cover
ing precisely the same ground. The
Mare Island yard is oyercrowded with
work, while none is sent to Bremerton.
At the latter point every facility exists
that is present at Mare Island, and
drydock out Of all comparison better.
A thoroughly competent force Of me-
chanics was assembled to do the re-
pair work on the Iowa, and when that
work was done the commandant was
reluctantly compelled to let the force
disperse, although at the time Mare
Island was overcrowded. Yet, when II
is proposed to send some work to Brem-
erton, certain of the bureau chiefs in
terpose the objection that there Is no
competent force OF men at work at
Bremerton, and that II will be neces-
sary TO scour the country for work.
men II any portion OF the repairs Is
TO be done there.
No battleship or armored cruiser can
be locked at Mare Island. because the
dock Is too small When the new dock
is finished there the same class Of
vessels will continue to be debarred
from using it. because there is not suf-
ficient depth of water in the channel
to permit them to approach the en-
trance of drydock theoretically built
for their uses Every heavily armored
cruiser or battleship which has TO be
locked In the waters of the Pacific
must come to Bremerton for that pur-
pose. or go into dock in some foreign
country. Every time one of these yes
sells Is locked at Bremerton, 1t is nee
essary to get together force OF men.
already at work in private employ, and
some particular inducements have to
be offered TO persuade them to surren-
der permanent positions for such tenn
porary employment. After repairs are
completed, the force assembled with
so much difficulty must necessarily be
discharged and scattered. In the mean
time vessels are lying three deep along
the sea wall at Mare Island. and re-
pairs are carried on there with the
maximum of difficulty and expense.
In view of these conditions. sound
economy should certainly prompt such
a division of the repair work as would
keep constantly employed at Bremerton
at least small and efficient force Of
men. whose services would be promptly
available when It Is necessary TO dock
and repair battleships there, work
which can be done nowhere else on the
Pacific coast.
Secretary Long does not share the
hostility which some of the bureau
chiefs. VIGOROUSLY certain appointees
from civil life on the stan of the navy.
have to the Bremerton yard. In one
conspicuous instance. the case of the
Goldsborough. which he ordered to be
equipped at Bremerton, he overruied
the decision OF the bureau chiefs. Nat
urally. as general rule. the decisions
of the bureau officials pass him without,
question. in the course OF the ordinary
routine Of his office. With his atten-
ton specifically and directly called 10
the discrimination against Bremerton.
and the false economy which has
prompted the sending Of all repair work
to Mare Island. he will look into the
matter. and probably direct more
economical distribution OF government
work, that each yard may be kept In
an efficient condition.