The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-09
L|L[EY CALLS
CRUISE 4 Bis
MONEY WASTE

Waterbury, Conn, Sept. 9--"The whole
thing reminds me OF the King of France,
who. with 10000 men. marched up the hill
and then marched down again.
That Is the opinion OF George l.. liley,
congressman at-large from Connecticut.
regarding the Pacific cruise of the battle
ships. as stated by himself
The momber of the house COMMITTEES on
naval affairs adds: 'If the purpose Is to
parade around on a visit TO Secretary
Metcalfs home at San Francisco, and
then return. and my information is that
they are are to return. ! 1 see en- no objection ex-
During the past four years we have
had four secretaries OF the navy" de-
clares Mr.. Lilley. "and this policy or ire
quent change prevents any man, no mat
ter how able, from becoming thoroughly
familiar with the varied departments and
their needs But these men have not
been men with records or achievent In
business organizations and management.
Three of them have been lawyers, un-
schooled in the mechanical industries.
However brilliantly they may have
shone in the legal fraternity they were
not In any way fitted for the management
of the United States navy. which is
great manufacturing concern doing q
business of 100000. 900 year.
'As manager OF this concern is needed
a man OF exactly the same calibre as IL
required by the Westinghouse, the Gem
eral Electric or the United States Steel
corporation or any company spending
hundred billions year And even II such
a man were appointed, think of the tre-
mendous handicap to efficient organiza-
ton were a new head appointed once
yearl
"In our cruise of investigation OF the
several yards, stations and docks on the
Atlantic coast the evidence was laid be-
fore us that It requires Il navy yards
and naval stations on the Atlantic and
Gulf, eight OF which are first class. to
keep the fleet in repair. In view OF which,
am at a loss TO know what is going to
be done with 1t when 1t gets to the Pacific
coast, where we have only two yards one
OF which, Mare Island, might as well be
in Tucson, Ariz., there being about the
same amount OF water in either place.
'Diligent inquiry among naval Officers
convinces me that the only thing 10 be
gained is the practical test of our ability
TO assemble sufficient coal on the east
and west coasts OF South America. Aside
from this 1t resolves itself into an endur-
ance test, and while no one doubts that
the ships will hold together. II they do
not run aground or into each other. still
IL seems to me that we could spend mil
lion dollars TO much better advantage.
There may be something TO be gained
I'm the great moral effect on the republics
OF South America who, having seen our
great fighting strength. will think more
than once before pulling any feathers out
OF the tail OF the great American eagle.
"If the matter OF this cruise to the Pa
cific were taken up in the house / bellve
there would be small chance for reso-
luton TO appropriate million dollars for
this purpose. The cost will be paid out
of the contingent emergency or mainte-
nance fund.
From a strategic point of view. there
is nothing to be gained. To make show
OF force to Japan is entirely unnecessary.
She Is not intending to take on the ex-
pense OF war while she is having difficulty
to borrow money to pay her current ex-
penses."