The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06

sells. earnestly hope that this pro-
gram viii be adopted.
Abolition of Navy Yards.
The secretary Of the navy has given
personal examination to every navy
yard and has studied the uses Of the
navy yards with reference to the no
cessities of our feet. with fieet con-
siderably less than half the size Of
that Of the British navy. we have
shipyards more than double the num-
Der. and there are several Of these
shipyards, extensively equipped with
modern machinery, which after inves-
tigation the secretary of the navy be
lieves to be entirely useless for naval
purposes. He asks authority to aban-
don certain of them and to move their
machinery to other places where 1t
can be made OF use.
| In making these recommendation
| the secretary is following directly
| along progressive lines which have
| been adopted in our great commercial
| and manufacturing consultations In
| this country-that is, Of dismantiing
| unnecessary and inadequate plants
and disseminating their existence
where it has been demonstrated that
| it is improbable to continue their
maintenance at an expense not COM
mensurate to their product.
| The secretary points out that the
most important naval base in the West
Indies is Guantanamo, In the south
eastern part of Cuba. It's geographical
situation is admirably adapted to pro-
tect the commercial paths to the Pan.
anna canal, and he shows that by the
expenditure Of less than half a million
dollars, with the machinery which he
shall take from other navy yards, be
can create a naval station at Guanta
namo of sufficient size and equipment
to serve the purpose Of an emergency
naval base. earnestly Join in the rec
ommendation that he be given the au
thortty which he asks.
am quite aware that such action II
likely to arouse local opposition, but
conceive It to be automatic that in leg
islating In the interest Of the navy and
for the general protection Of the coun
try by the navy mere local pride or pc
cuniary interest in the establishment
Of navy yard or station ought to pla,
no part. The recommendation Of tn
secretary is based upon the judgmen
of impartial naval officers entirely I'm
Influenced by any geographical or sec
tional considerations.
| unite with the secretary in the rec
ommendation that an appropriation b
made to construct suitable crypt a
Annapolis for the custody Of the re
mains Of John Paul Jones.
Peary.
The complete success Of our countr
in arctic exploration should not remain
unnoticed. For. centuries there ha
been friendly rivalry in this field o
effort between the foremost nation
and between the bravest and most &C
: complished men. Expeditions to tn
unknown north have been encourage
! by enlightened governments, and de
served honors have been granted t
the daring men who have conducts
them.
/ The unparalleled achievement o
Peary in reaching the north pole Apr
g, 1909, approved by critical exam
, nation of the most expert scientist
navy, to which he belongs, and reflect
: credit upon his country. His uniqu
success has received generous az
knowledgmen from scientific bodie
. and institutions Of learning in Europ
and America. I recommend fittin
recognition by congress Of the grea
achievement Of Robert Edwin Peary.