The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-04-11
BY Associated Press.

Washington, D. c., April 1O.-With-
In few days Secretary of the Navy
Meyer Is expected to take up for act
i've consideration the question of the
continuation in operation OF the navy
yards at Pensacola, Florida, and New
OfieanSs Louisiana, which Mr.. New
berry lust before he retired from of
fee gave orders should be closed. A
settlement OF the issue is Of import
ance TO the cities in which these
yards are located for more than one
reason. Before Mr.. Newberry's or
der had been officially served on the
commandants OF those yards the con-
gTesSIonaI delegations from the re-
spective states in which they are sit
uated took up the matter with Sec
Rotary Meyer and presented argu-
menJs 10 show why they should be
continued in operation. Mr.. Meyer
felt that their protests against clos
ing should receive thorough consid-
Grafton and concluded 10 call for data
from the commanding officers show
ing the amount OF work that was
being done and reasons, If any. for or.
against the closing ofrthe Yards.
The char3cteB- of the, date which h4-
asked for was SO elaborate and COM
prtsed so much detail that the COM
mandants have not yet been able 10
furnish it. The secretary is determ-
ined 10 be fully advised of every fea-
ture of the case before reaching any
decision.
APPROPRIATIONS MADE.
The fact that appropriations have
been made for a continuation Of work
during the next fiscal year is the least
argument advanced why the stations
should be maintained in All their eff
cheney. But this is not the only
proposition put forward along this
line. 1t IS admitted that the work
done at these places is not very ma
terial at this time. but the contention
is made that the future should be
taken into consideration. For tactical
and for strategic purposes. il for no
other, it is declared these yards
should be maintained at high state
of efficiency in order that the gov
eminent may be prepared for repair
ing and eqUipping war vessels for
any services which might be required
OF them IA that section of the world.
The point is made that the amount
of money actually required for this
purpose is not very great by COM
parisop and that the yards ready for
business in case OF emergency are a
valuable asset for the navy to always
have at hand. The plant at both
THESE SIdJIOHS Is Sdlu 20 De III EODu
SHAPE.
Both are equipped with floating
dry docks, that at Pensacola having
a capacity of 1900 tons and that ar
New Orleans a capacity Of $4,000 tons
Mr.. Meyers decision is awaited with
q great deal OF interest and the hope
is expressed that he will revoke Mr..
Newberry'5 order for it is generally
felt that the relatively small amount
of money required TO keep the yards
in operation is insignificant in com
pariSOn with the value they may be
TO the navy in the event of the de-
velOpment Of any war-like operations.
il is the best kind OF economy, say
the advocates Of the yards, to keep
them in state where they may rem
der effective service to the govern
meut should the necessity therefor
arise
Vast sums were carried by the ma
val appropriation bill for the fiscal
year 1910. While considerable OF the
various amounts appropriated for
specific purposes were for the pay Of
officers and men. for maintenance
purposes Of all sorts, and for repairs
to battleships, both building and COM
pIeted, yet the measure also cOntem-
Continued on Fifth PageD