Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-11
PLENTY OF SPONSORS
WILLING no CHRIsTEN THE GUN
BOAT DUBUQUE.
Mayor Berg's First Letter Causes
Navy Department. Some Embar-
rassmentyas to Selection.

Mayor Berg Of Dubuque, Iowa, made a
perplexing mistake when he informed the
Navy Department a few days ago that
there was no lazy in Dubuque willing to
undertake the TRIP to New York to christen
the gunboat Dubuque. which is to be
launched at the ship yard of the Gas En-
CINE and Power Company. Morris Heights,
N. Y, next Monday at 1890 o'clock. Since
then 1t has developed that there are any
number of ladies in Dubuque and elsewhere
willing and anxious for the honor of acting
sponsor of the new warship. In fact,
there is an embarrassment of riches In this
matter and the department is perplexed as
to the proper course of action.
Contractors Notified.
On receiving the the original letter from
Mayor Berg, the contractors were notified
and asked to supply the deficiency owing 10
early date there was very little time to
spare. Yesterday Secretary Morton re-
ceived telegram from Mayor Berg saying
he had selected Miss Margaret Treadway,
daughter of the president of the dubuque
Club as sponsor for the vessel This was
satisfactory to the Navy Department ana
was supposed to settle the matter Ihat IL
did not is shown by letter received TINS
morning by Secretary Morton from Mr.:
Clayton Mayo, secretary and treasurer or
the Gas Engine and Power Company, con-
tractors for the Dubuque. announcing that
Miss Annette Hull, daughter of Represen-
tative j. A. 7. Hull of Des MONIES, Iowa.
had been selected sponsor for the yes
sci. Mr.. Mayo said that Immediately on
receipt of word from the Navy department
of Mayor Bergs failure to nominate, the
officers of the company telephoned ex-
Speaker D. B. Henderson Of Iowa, asking
If his daughter would not act as sponsor
for the Dubuque, but they were informed
that the young lady is in bad health ana
,nf no
however, that the company communicate
with Representative Hull, who is In New
York with his family. That was done and
Miss Hull accepted the invitation. In ex-
tending the invitation to Mr.. Hull, the
company said that they would appreciate
1t very much if your daughter would DO US
this honor and we are sure the Navy De-
partment will heartily indorse our choice.
Officials in Dilemma.
CONSERVATION followed the receipt of this
letter. and the officials were in a dilemma
as to what should be done. 1t was finally
concluded to telegraph the contractors
that Mayor Berg had already selected
sponsor for the Dubuque, and that as Miss
Treadway is a resident of Dubuque it was
regarded as fitting that she should serve
as sponsor, especially Miss Hull is a
resident of Des Moines In accordance with
the practice of the department the determi
nation of questions of this kind rests with
'He CONF aCtoiS, anu White llley are usually
governed by the wishes of the Navy De-
partment, it is not known what will be
done in the present complicated case, which
is unprecedented In the history of the navy.
Meanwhile, other names have been pre-
sented to the department for consideration
in the selection of the Dubuque's sponsor
Miss Jessie May WEIGH, who describes her
self as nurse at the Presbyterian Hospi-
tai, New York city. said she would like
to be the lucky girl to christen the new
gunboat." Another letter was received
from lady in Philadelphia, suggesting the
selection of one of her two daughters, Myra
and Edna Wybrant Smith, to christen the
warship. She explained that the young
ladies were born, in Dubuque, and that
their grandfather was an old resident of
that city.