New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-09
PRESIDENT PAYS HIS WAY
USE OF THE M4YFLOWER.
Secretary Moody Erplodes 1nOther
Democratic Issue.

Washington April S-Replying to Il criticism
Of the use Of the naval yacht AIayfOwer. filed
in the House for reproduction in The Congress
sional Record" by Representative Williams. of
Mississippi. in the form of newspaper clip
ping, Representative FOss, chairman Of the Ma
val Affairs Committee. to-day filed also, to be
printed in The Record" letter from Secre-
tary Moody giving a detailed history Of the
use Of the Nayfower by the President. He
says the Mayfiower is not, said in the
criticism. the Presidents yacht" Continuing.
the Secretary says:
She receives her orders from the department
I'm the same manner as other vessels In accord
ance with custom Of long standing, however.
a vessel OF the navy has been placed at the dis
yosition OF the President from time 10 time. as
ne may desire The Mayfower has been the
vessel selected for this service. under directions
from the President that at no time should she
be diverted from any naval duties Tor whlch
she might he needed. II would be an injustice
to the officers and men OF the Mayfower to
suppose that her sole or principal use was that
Of yacht
The Secretary tells Of the uses of the May
flower in the Spanish war at length. and adds:
The ONLY use Of the vessel made by the Presi-
dent or by his direction. has been since the be-
ginning OF her present commission, June %.
1902. During these twenty-one months she has
Cruised twenty-five thousand miles. which IS
considerably more than the average OF our YES
sells. The President has spent aboard her at
various times a total or something less thGn
forty hours and has travelled in her ninety-fOur
miles He has spent night aboard her, be-
ing detained there by bad weather on his re-
turn from review OF the National Guard of the
State Of New Jersey, undertaken at the invita-
tion of the Governor OF that State. OF these
forty hours ALL except one occasion. were
spent in the performance OF official duties The
total time spent on board the vessel by mem
bers Of the Presidents family or guests has
been one week and the distance travelled while
they have been or board has been 40 miles.
All expenditures of every nature occasioned
by the visits Of the President or any of his
family or guests have been paid by him. The
Mayflower has never been held for the Presi-
dents use" nor at any time has any money
been expended on 'rcfurnshing the ship the
Presidents private yacht" FOR "retitting
and repairing for the Presidents personal use"
for keeping the MayflOwer at the disposi-
ton Of the President Since she last went into
commission there has been absolutely no change
I'm her interior fittings except for the comfort Of
the crew, the installation OF wireless tclegraphiC
apparatus for increased signalling facilities, and
for the increase Of the battery by the addition
OF two 4-inch breechloadng rifles. During her
present commission there has been expended on
her for repairs and additions, for the purposes
above named $40 24O These expenditures are
similar in character 10 those made upon other
ships, and are not excessive.
j have the honor to say in closing that, aC-
cordinE to the best of my knowledge and be-
lief. the MayflOwer has not been diverted an
hour from any naval duty for which she was
needed, nor has a dollar of the public money
been expended for the pleasure convenience
Of the President, or any Of his family or guests