Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-14

NEW YORK. February 14.-For the
first time since the fight at the state
convention at Saratoga last September,
all factions of the republican party in
New York state gathered last night in
harmony. The occasion was the twenty
fifth annual dinner of the Republican
Club of New York city in commemOra-
ton of the 1Ood anniversary of the birth
of Abraham Lincoln.
William Barnes, jr.. newly elected chair
man of the republican state committee,
who led the fight against Col. Roosevelt at
Saratoga, was seated at the right of the
former President and entered into an
animated conversation with him several
times during the dinner. Seth Low, presi-
dent of the club, presided. He had on his
list as speakers Col. Roosevelt, Rev. DIR.
Frank w. Gunsaulus, president of the
Armour Institute at Chicago, who delv-
cred the Lincoln grafton; Judge Emory
Speer of the United States circuit court
Of Georgia. and George Won L. Meyer,
Secretary of the Navy.
Secretary Meyer representing Presi-
dent Taft, warned republicans of this
state and of the country TO sink their
differences and get together if they want
to prevent democratic victory in 1912.
To the right and left of the Secretary
were republicans who did not pull to-
8ether in the campaign just past, and
when Mr.. Meyer got going in an exceed
ingly frank talk they pricked up their
ears. Whether or not the assumption
was warranted, the banqueters received
MI Meyers advise as a straight tip from
the President.
Speaks With Authority.
In fact, the Secretary practically said
that he was speaking with large author
1ty. Following that intimation, he told
them that the party would have to have
platform on which every one could
stand and that the President was trying
his best to provide. in reciprocity with
Canada, a plank that would be of i'm
mense value
Secretary Meyer, in the course OF his
speech, made the fiat statement that it
is the intention of the government to de-
velop Pearl Harbor. San Francisco bay
and Puget sound. in order that, after the
Panama canal has been completed, the
entire fleet may be maintained on the
Pacific coast. The Secretary did not am
pity the statement, which had keenly
Interested the hundreds of men present,
but passed quickly to other topics
The Secretary said 1t would be bad
business to rebuild or reconstruct worm
out ships.
THE fleet, II kept UP to date. and with
the proper military eficiency. is an in
surance against war;" said he land as
long as our fleet Is efficient and of suf-
hcient size we can be sure that We will
not have war
He said he wished to see the bureau of
equipment abolished. The administration
Of the fleet and of navy yards, he added,
has improved, and great efficiency has
resulted with more economical admin
istration.
Discusses Eight-Hour Law.
OF the eight-hour limitation the Sec
rotary said:
"At the present time Congress is in
the midst OF discussion as to the meth
cd under which ships should be built
whether they should be confined to an
eignt-hour Limitation of labor not only
in the government yards. where eight
hour labor is the rule now, but also in
private yards. 1t would be detrimental
TO the resources OF the country if the
private yards. 1t would be detriment
es9ht-hour basis just at the moment when
eur shipyards are successfully competing
with the shipbuilding organizations OF
the great maritime nations. We know
that IL the vessels on the building pro-
gram recommended by the President were
TO be DullI IN the government navy
vars il would cost about $20.5I3,O0O.
whereas if built under present conditions
Of labor in the private shipyards. with
out restrictions by an eight-hour law,
there would be saving of about 500.
600"
Judge Speer. in his address, declared
THAT 1.-The United States has no choice
in deciding whether the Panama canal
shall be fortified The canal must be
fortified. and heavily fortified at that, Ii
this country is to preserve inviolate the
neutrality of this gateway to tine west
3rn ocean. 1t is bound by treaty with