The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-17


on the same basis as their army ana
logue. which has been In operation for
many years.
Officials Kept in Dark.
At present the general store is operated
more or less quietly. Some difficult'
which have developed in its ope
have never reached the ears OF the Off
Gals higher up. and it is extremely doubt
full IL the Navy Department is aware OF
the existence OF the general store in the
washington Navy Yard Officially. at
any rate, it is not yet recognized as
naval institution.
Despite this lack of official sanction. an
officer who does not view the venture in
the same light as some OF the moro sn-
thusiastlc supporters of the store said
that inroads have been made from time
TO time on supplies intended for the
sailors.
For instance. this officer says. II GER
tain supplies were needed for the general
store they would be detained from the
supplies delivered for the sailors and in
this way the officers families get the
benefit OF the governments arrangement
with naval contractors
At its organization the general store
handled only food staples. Gradually,
however. as III patrons increased. a de-
mand for aim )st everything sold In a
modern department store grew. From
time 10 time various articles were added
until 1t present anything an officer de-
slres may be obtained
Although not officially sanctioned by
/ the government, the navy's new mer-
camille venture has a delivery system.
/ At almost any time OF the day govern
ment wagons leave the yard with sup
plies for officers families. and Il is said
/ even families of men outAle the navy.
/ Friends OF the officers haVR been able 10
place an order with the general store and
have their order delivered by govern
ment wagon.
Paymaster IndOrseS Plan.
/ Paymaster Merriam. the superintendent
OF the store is enthusiastic over the
working out Of the experiment. 1T IS
a fine thing for the officers" he said
and enables them 10 cut their living
expenses down a good deal I am sure
the Navy Department will not interfere
with our plan, and that sooner or later
We will nave official sanction
When told that number OF merchants
the store. on the ground that IL was hurt
ing their business, and that an appeal 10
the Navy Department might be made by
the Chamber OF Commerce. Paymaster
Merriam said he did not believe the de-
partment would interfere. but that. on
the contrary, would approve the plan.
Why said the paymaster. Il have
talked over the plan with Paymaster
General Cowie and he has given his
hearty support to our efforts 10 make the
way of living easier for a naval officer
on modest pay We may have hurt the
business of one or two small merchants
little. but there Is no reason that
can see why we should not be allowed
10 help ourselves and others in this way
We have delivered some of the table
! supplies in wagons belonging to the yard
but only at such time as the wagons
were not needed for other use
Merchants in the vicinity of the navy
, yard are much wrought up over the es.
, Enlistment of the store, and are using
J every effort 10 find out just how 1t is
run, and whether or not there Is q
chance that the Navy Department might
: interfere with its operation.
; Merchants Voice Protest.
1T should be closed up" said the pro-
, prietor Of one of the largest stores in
the vicinity Of the yard. II have noticed
that my trade has been falling off for
some time. and wondered why it was
5 that old customers were passing me by
Now know.
1T is irregular. and some one must be-
making a profit out of all the things
they sell there customer of mine
came In here the other day and said he
.. could buy underwear Of very best quality
, inside the yard for little or nothing
: The sailors and marines are often seer
: coming from the yard with packages
5 They make straight for any OF the mum
Der of secondhand stores and come out
empty-handed."
Cant Beattie. commandant of the nav!
yard said he is cogniZant of the exist
!, enee of the store, but he did not know
of any change of rations or use Of gov
: eminent wagons for the purpose Of de
Iivering goods TO officers outside the yard
IF there are any irregularities goinl
on in connection with the stcSe." h
4 said. they will be found out and cor
rected. Further than this Capt. Beatti
refused to express himself.
The Navy Department has not heard o
any protest by merchants and offlciall.
does not know of the existence of tn
store. It is said. however. unofficialiy
that the store is in the nature of an ex
pertinent and that If successful. which
so far promises TO be, all navy yards Il
the country viii be allowed to conduc
an establishment II is probable, how
ever, that the merchandise will be Unite
10 food staples and table delicaeies an
the department store feature elimipate6
II Special EvangeIistic Services.