The Washington times., 1910-11-23
WAR IS EXPECTED
OVER NAVY YARDS
Question of Eliminating
Southern Workshops TO
Come Up.

A fine row is likely to be kicked up IN
Congress this winter over the question
Of closing some OF the Southern navy
yards.
This question is not new one. but il
Is likely to arise this winter in more
acute form than ever Before President
Taft departed for Panama he called in
the Cabinet officers and talked economy
to them. Each one Of them is trying to
follow the advice ne gave Secretary
Meyer rSt long ago took long tour OF
inspection of the navy yards and found
out where he believed large savings
could b. made
1t is expected that when Congress
takes I'D the naval bill Secretary Never
will have some interesting things TO say
about savings. The proposition to abol-
ish the navy yards at New Orleans
Pensacola, and Charleston Will come ND
lot Of facts and figures VIII be IN
loaded on Congress 70 show that the
yards at these places should either be
abolished or should be converted to uses
Of minor Importance
Question Of Economy
Then will arise an interesting situa-
ton. The Democrats have been attack
ing the Republicans for ex--z---. $3.50
Republican Administration VIII be
nushinr for. economy in the maintenance
of the navy yards But the Southern
Democrats from the States affected,
from South Carolina, Florida, and
Louisiana. will be compelled to fight the
closing down Of the yards IN tteir
states Doubtless Republican leaders
will enjoy the spectacle presented by
the Democrats urging economy and yet
fighting to keep up costly navy yards
So far as the Charleston yard IS con-
cerned. II costs not less than Sl0a09t
every year 10 keep the channel 10 u
open so that battIeships can 20 10 and
from II The yard, from the point Of
view OF. navy officials, Is a failure But
when It comes to getting 1t closed or
put to limited use, that is another mat
ter Senator TIIlman is on the Senate
Naval Committee and in the capacity Of
member Of that body ne looks out for
the. navy yard at Charleston Let any
suggestion OF the closing of the navy
yard at Charleston be made, and the
South Carolina Senator IS on his feet
in a minute, and ready 70 scrap al Ine
drop Of the hat The plan now beiIlg
ked in navy quarters is 10 make the
yard at ChaTleSUOwn a rendezvous ioE
torpedo craft It would cost but niue
10 keep the channel TO the yard open 50
But Senator Tillman would not consent
20 anything Of this sort without hgnt-
Expensive, But Useless.
From the viewpoint of the naval Of
fciaIs. both the yards at New orleans
and Pensacola are not Of much use and
are extensive In late years, the peO-
pie OF New Orleans have made much OF
the idea that the yard there should be
strengthened and that In case OF war
there would he no adequate defenses 10
prevent foreign men-of-waT raiding uD
the Mississippi But this has failed 70
excite the navy officials
some compensation IS offered to the
Southern Senators and Representatives.
who are opposed 10 the closing Of the
Yards in their part Of the country in
the fact that the. Navy Department
recognizes the need Of a great yard at
Key West, Fla When the canal Is
built and in operation. the naval STRAIT
egists regard two yards in Southern
waters as needful-One at Key West
and the other al Guantanamo Cuba
Il is expected the department VIII urge
enlargement Of these yards.
The Administration Is placed at a
certain disadvantage in this matter OF
forcing the closing Of Southern navy
Yards It arises from the fact that the
votes Of Southern Democrats are fire.
ouentIy needfuI 10 get through the two
battleShip program