The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-06
Sec'y Meyers Report and
The Pensacola Navy Yard.

It was anticipated by those who
conversed with Secretary OF the Navy
Meyer, when he was in Pensacola a
short time ago, that he would recon-
mend in his report to congress. the
abolition Of the Navy Yard at this
city. That he has done SO. has created
intlc surprise. The secretary in his
report, praises the port Of Pensacola;
Ms he could not truthfully do other
wise. He gives as his objection to
this port as a navy yard oase, That
Pensacola Bay cannot be fortified and
could be bombarded by an enemy's
fleet in time of war.
In Analysing Mr.. Meyers report. 1t
must DO remembered, always. that the
secretary of the navy is neither a
practical naval nor army expert. He
Is a shrewd, capable New England
lawyer and politician of much ability.
As a matter of fact Pensacola Bay
is already fortified and fortified strong
~. Forts Mckee and Pickens. which
stand like grim sentinels guarding the
bay. the barracks, the navy yard and
the city. are up to date in every par
ticu'ar. and it is now. without the ex'
perditure of an additional dollar, prac
tieal,y impossible for foreign fleet
to capture either the army or naval
posts To do 50. Pickens and McRee
must FIRST be taken.
As for mat matter, the entire
scheme of nava, arrangement, recon.
mended by the secretary, is wrong
from an American viewpoint, if not
frCm all standpoints. His selection OF
Guantanamo rs the chief naval sta.
zion on the Atlantic. is foreign to
American ideas. 1t will be difficult
for him 70 convince either congress or
the American people that it is wise TO
expend the enormous amount of nloney
necessary to mako that place strong
and safe, in a foreign country and al
ncint that offers no protection to
the American continent in times OF
possible war.
The people of the country will
naturally ask, if Pensacola cannot be
fortified. Row about Key West. which
he recommends shall be left as a sub.
sidiary station.
As matter of fact. on the face OF
things. it seems as If the astute sec
rotary of the navy is playing partisan
politics and sectional politics at that
Everyone knows that the entire At
lsntic seaboard. from the Potomac
river to the Canadian border. is thick
~ dotted with navy yards and naval
stations OF different kinds. 1t is no
ticeable that the secretary recon-
meuds that all of these be kept and
maintained. Many people will believe
that this recommendation is due 10
the fact that The secretary himself is
q New Englander. and from the foun
dation of the government. the entire
country has been paying heavy taxes
TO give New England what she wants
u has been the tribute paid by the
country at large TO the home of the
Pilgrim Fathers" that has made i,
possible for men to make living. and
grow rich besides. on those bleak
rocky and inhospitabe shores
The excuse of the secretary for de
string the New England yards 10 he
kept in use. is that the government;
has already expended so much OF
them that it would be poor economy
to dismantlc them. As for that mat
ter. n very large amount of money has
been expended on the Pensacola YARD
and az any rate enough TO make il one
of the best equipped and most com
pletc yards in the country.
The secretary also says that for scv
Cral years no work Of any consequence
has been done at the Pensacola yard
This is true. II is also true that the
ward IS splendidly equipped for this
work and il would have been done
here had the navy department sen
the work here.
The secretary in his frantic zeal t.
ser,e New England, forgot 10 mention