The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-04-15
"%7REsIDENT's YACHTT.o
Secretary Moody Says vesss. is No.
Under Orders of the Chief. Execu.
tive at Any Time.

Washington, April 1~1.-Replytng to a
criticism of the use of the navnl steam
yacht Mayiiower, filed In the house for
reproduction in the Congressional Rec
ord by Representative Williams of Mis-
sissippi, in the form of a
clipping, Representative Foss. chairman.
OF The naval affairs committees. today
filed, also to be printed in the Record,
a letter from Secretary Moody, giving q
detailed use OF the Mayflower by the
president.
He says the Mayfower is not, as
was stated in the criticism, denominated
the presidents yacht" Continuing
the secretary says:
She receives her orders from the de-
partment In the same manner as other
vessels, In accordance with Il custom
of long standing, however, q vessel Of
the navy has been placed at the dis
position of the president from time TO,
time, as he may desire 1t. Tie May
flower has been the vessel selected for
this service.lunder directions from The
president that at no time should she
be diverted from any naval duties for
which she might be needed. 1t would.
be an injustice to the officers and men
of The Maytlower TO suppose. that her
sole or principal use was that of u
yacht.
The secretary details the use of the
Maytlower during the Spanish war at
length. He then adds:
The only use of the vessel made by
the president or by his direction has
been since the beginning of her pres
ent commission, June %, 1902. During
these twenty-one months ste has
cruised $4,000 miles. which is consider
ably more than the average Of sur
ava vessels. The president has spent
aboard her at various times a total OF
something less than forty hours and
mas travelled in her ninety-four miles.
He has spent one night aboard her, be-
ing detained there by bad weather on
his return from a review of the national
guard of the state of New Jersey, un-
dertalten at the invitation of the gov
ernor of that state. OF these forty
hours all, except on one occasion, Mere
spent in the performance OF official
duties. The total time spent on the
vessel by members of the presidents
family or guests has been one week.
and the distance travelled while they
have been aboard has been $40 miles.
Al expenditures of every nature oc-
casioned by the visit of the president
or any of his family or guests have
been paid by aim. The Maytlower has
use" nor. at any time has any money
been EXPENDED "refurnishing the ship
as the presidents private yacht nor
for "retitting and repairing for the
presidents personal use. nor Tor
"keeping the Mayfiower at the DISPOSE
ton OF the president" Since she last
went into commission there has been
absolutely no change in her interior
fittings except for the comfort Of tho
crew, the Installation of wireless tele-
graphic apparatus for increased sig
mailing facilities and for the increase
of the battery by The addition OF two
four-inch br~eechloading rites. Dur
ing her present commission there has
been expended on her for repairs and
additions named bow $1,000; these
expenditures are similar In character
to those made upon other ships and are
not excessive. l have the honor to
say in closing that to the best OF my
knowledge and belief the Mayflower
has not been diverted an hour from any
duty for which she was needed.
nor has a dollar of the public money
been expended for the pleasure or con-
v%enience OF the president or any of his
family or guests.