The Washington herald., 1909-03-10
The Tale Of Two NAVY Yards.

The Tale of Two Navy Yards.
Just before leaving Office Truman H
Newberry. Secretary OF the Navy. in pur-
suance of his plans for the introduction
OF business methods in the manufacturing
end Of the naval establishment, issued
an order closing the repair shops at the
New Orleans and Pensacola navy yards.
directing that the machinery be placed IN
condition for preservation, and that the.
buildings be boarded up. The dry docks
al each station were 10 remain as before.
and a marine guard was to care for the
property. Comparatively little repair
work had been done at either OF these
yards, and the expense OF their mainte-
nance was out OF all proportion to the
value Of the output For example, IN
1907 the output OF the New Orleans yard
was but trife more than s.. 900. while the
cost Of maintenance was over S97. co., Mr.
Newberry, before the House Committee
on Naval Affairs. stated that the expense
OF keeping open the yards at New Orleans
and Pensacola exceeds the value that
the government gets from them" He was
unable TO see that any considerable
amount OF work could be given them in
the future He did not think they should
be abandoned. but was sure they could
be maintained at much less cost than at
present Yet we find IN the naval appro-
priation bill for the next fiscal year the
following items, in addition 10 the lump
sums for maintenance and repairs:
Navy yard, Pensaools, F1a--Remodeling build
ing No 2. $1,000: 70 repair rife range and wharf.
$500; in all. Soooo-
Construction plant, navy yard. PensacolA. ia
Repairs 20 and Improvement o. plant AZ navy yard
s2.Oe.
Naval station. New Orleans. LA-Le7es in
provements and grading. $500; in all 5000"
President Taft had not been in the
White House two days before an impos-
ing Congressional delegation from Louisi-
ana and Florida called upon him 10 com
plain OF Mr. Newberry's order. What
happened at the interview IS thus de-
scribed by the Washington correspondent
Senator Foster stated that the action q sec-e
tary NsVbeuy came & severe blow. because only
few weeks ago he expressed bis willingness for the
New Orleans yard 20 continue. and agreed that the
dock could accommodate the mosquito feet. not
the Dreadnoughts now building He discussed the
legal aspect Of the case. taking tie position that
Congress had outlined a policy to be pursued TO
ward the Two stations hy npproprizting money for
their maintenance. and he declared emphatioary
that 1t would 10 unEise for the executive branch
70 Entagonizs the legislative policy. He Therefore
asked that the order be az once rescinded
Senator McEneTy expressed himself very strongly
on the legal phase Of the question. declaring that
the laws Of Congress caauot be set ASIDE or nuIB
fed by Executive order and he protested also
against the diversion by the Secretary oS the Navy
Of funds from any station 70 another without the
permission Of Congress. Senator Talaferro hke-
wise entered digniaed but emphatic protest along
the same line 70 which the President listened with
close attention.
After all had spoken, President Taft stated TIA.
he was impressed by the seriousness Of the situa
tion. but at the beginning Of his administration he
vas determined that his Cabinet should share the
responsibility with him. and therefore he would
not make any promises until Their views OF rsoon
zaendations had been presented"
A similar presentation OF the case for
expenditure OF the public funds was
made to Secretary Meyer. and on
Monday the obnoxious order bearing the
signature Of Mr.. Newbery was revoked
Thus have the true relations Of the Execu-
tive and Congress been re-estabIished
II is now criminal offense TO expend
more than the sum appropriated by Con-
gress: It ought also 10 be g criminal
offense TO expend less. Mr., Newberry was
guilty Of trying to save some thousands
OF dollars 10 the Treasury, IN spite Of
Congressional extravaganza. Evidently
there is 10 be no more such fooIshness.
We beg to acknowledge receipt Of