The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-08-01
CALLS
. ON MEYER FOR
!. EXPLANATION
SENATOR BRYAN SPEAKS ON
s THE RESOLUTION BY SENATOR
FLETCHER AND 1T Is ADOPTED
BY UNANIMOUS voTE-MEYER
MUST FURNISH INFORMATION.

Secretary of the Navy Meyer must
explain to the senate his recent acts
IN practically closing the Pensacola
navy yard, as the senate has passed
the resolution introduced by Senator
FIetcher calling upon the secretary for
Information as to his acts and why
certain appropriations have not been
expended as instructed by congress.
Senator N. p. Bryan, of Florida, re-
Gently spoke on the resolution intro
duced by his colleague, and at the con-
cIusion Of his remarks the resolution
was passed. The Congressional Record
contains the following regarding the
matter:
The Vice President. Pursuant to the
notice heretofore given by the senator
from Florida, the chair lays before the
senate the following resolution.
The Secretary. Senate resolution
100, submitted by Mr.. Fletcher July il,
1911, directing the secretary Of the
navy to report as to certain matters
relative to the Pensacola and other
navy yards.
Mr. Bryan. Mr.. President in his an
nual report for the year 1910 the sec
rotary Of the navy recommended to
congress that the navy yard at Pensa-
cola, Fla, be abandoned and sold. Con-
gress refused to comply with this
Recommendation On July 1, 1911,
more than one-hah OF the 200 work.
men employed at this navy yard were
discharged upon about two days no
tfce, and II is reliably stated that the
stores located there are being pack
ed for shipment, and that within the
next few days the remaining workmen
will be discharged and all work prac-
ttcally, II not completely, abandoned.
Undoubtedly this procedure is in
pursuance Of orders issued by the sec
reary Of the navy. The object of the
pending resolution Is to ascertain def
nitely and authoritatively exactly
what orders he has issued and has in
contemplation; generally, what work,
II any, II is his purpose to allow to be
done; and specifically, whether It is his
intention to do indirectly that which
congress refused to give him authority
TO do directly.
1t is well understood that the secre-
tary desires to close and abandon this
yard and sell the land which the United
States has used for navy yard pur-
poses since 1928
The views Of the present secretary
of the navy ara very different from
those which have prevailed generally
since the establishment of the yard, as
shown by reports of the several former
secretaries of the navy. In 1898 Sec
rotary Woodbury. made the following
report:
1.-The continuance of Pensacola as
naval station seems to me judicious.
This opinion arises not only from its
convenient position as to the whole
Gulf OF Mexico, but It's proximity to
the mouths Of the Mississippi and Mo-
bile rivers, whose great and growing
commerce Is so amply entitled to the
best protection. In the, depth and size
of it's bay, in the excellent defenses at
its mouth, in it's healthy situation, in
its easy access to all our vessels ex-
cept of the two highest classes, Pensa-
cola has no prominent rival in that
neighborhood."
In 1866 Secretary welles, in his re-
port had this to say:
The yards at Norfolk and at Pensa-
cola are as essential to the navy and
the country as either of the yards at
the north, and in the event of a for
eign war we could better dispense with
one of the yards north of the Chesa-
peake than with either of these. Our
possession Of them during the late con-
fiict, even in their dilapidated con-
dition, was Of great value to the Union
cause. After their recovery the ves-
sells composing the several blockading
squadrons were not detached and sent
north for ordinary repairs. with loss Of
service during their absence of vessels
and crews, but were retained on their
stations The repairs thus effected
were made without many of the re-
uuired facilities, but notwithstanding
great disadvantages considerable saw
ing ensued to the government, and the
blockade was thereby made more eff
Gent. Upon the Pensacola yard, even