The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-18
OFFICERS AT NAVY
YARD KEEP SILENT
Merchants of Southeast 10
Fight General Store.
IS DETRIMENT TO BUSINESS
Capt. Beattie, Cemmandant of Yard,
and Paymaster Merriam Refuse to
of Commissary Experiment Re-
Gently Brought to Notice.

Naval officers stationed In Washington
had one topic OF conversation among
themselves yesterday II was the new
general store at the navy yard and It's
possible discontinuance because OF the at
titude of merchants in southeast Wash
ington, as brought TO notice by The
Washington Herald
Not for publication would single Off
Ger talk. Those who the day before were
extremely enthusiastic and ioquacious
over the prospects OF the store maintained
silence. with the merchants Of that sec
ton, il was different story. They mean
TO fight and will appeal 10 the Navy De-
partment for the closing up OF the store.
S. E. Bieber, OF the Bieber- Kaufman
Company. was one OF the many mer-
chants of Southeast Washington who ex-
pressed themselves as heartily opposed
TO the continuance OF the store along its
preseet lines.
Before the establishment OF the
store" said Mr. Bleber, our trade with
the navy set was extensive. or course.
IL the officers are saving money through
the venture, I do not blame them for
patronizing the store.
Detriment 20 Business.
IF the store accepts outside trade, to
the detriment OF the business establish
ments I'm this section. something ought
10 be done for our own protection. II
the store has not the official sanction OF
the Navy Department, It should not be
allowed TO do business that win interfere
with merchants outside the yard
Similar expressions from other mer-
aha 70 arHEant Ia 80 hal
SADIE against the governments depart
ment store Is certain.
At the navy yard the conversational
lid was clamped down tight. so far as
store talk went. Capt. Beattie. COM
mandant u the yard. and Paymaster
Merriam. in charge OF the store. refused
to be interviewed on the subject. The
store however. did business as usual
Three wagon loads OF merchandise
went out from the store at the usual
delivery time Whittier the wagons and
supplies were bound could not be learned.
for the drivers had been cautioned not TO
reveal their destinations. The wagons
went outside the yard to make deliveries.
Officers Keep silent.
Navy Department officials were as
mum on the subject as the officers at
the yard. Officially, the department
doesn't know the store exists. it being
an experiment. conducted by the commits
sary department with the tacit consent
of ''those higher up" Unoficially. how
ever, officials say that they believe the
store should be continued, as IL is a
boon to the officers and men IN the naval
servfce.
All charges OF Irregularities in the bust
ness conduct OF the store were denied
at the department by officers VINO spoke
unofficially. but who are cOnversant with
the cOmmissary department II Is under
stood that several OF the larger whole-
sale firms OF the city have contracted 10
deliver groceries. meats. and other
staples along with many luxuries at the
store
This fact is what is causing merchants
in Southeast Washington to prepare for a
fight They will stand for regular yard
store for navy people. but object 10 de-
partment store TO supply outside trade
IN the vicinity. II is probable that mer-
chants viii meet to-day or tomorrow
TO consider means OF fighting the project,
If q change in the conduct OF the govern
ment store is rot inaugurated.