The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-07-13
OF
ASSOCIATION
IS BEING FELT
ALTHOUGH 1T APPEARS THAT
NAVY YARD WILL BE CLOSED,
STRONG SPEECH DELIVERED
ON THE SUBJECT BY SENATOR
FLETCHER SHOWS IT WILL BE
DONE OVER PROTEST.

AS a result Of the activities of the
Pensacola Commercial Association,
considerable interest has been worked
up in the senate on the subject Of the
closing of the Pensacola navy yard.
As soon as the proposition of Secre-
tary Meyer to close the yard became
know, the association began communi-
eating with Florida's representatives
in the senate, and while it now ap-
pears that the yard will be closed, II
has been clearly demonstrated in
Washington that ii will not be done
without opposition.
Senator Fletcher delivered a strong
speech in the senate Tuesday in
which he strenuously opposed the
measure. Following is a portion of the
speech made by Senator Fletcher:
After telling the history of the PEN
sacola yard. Senator Fletcher said:
The proposition is to close the Pen
sacola yard and the one at New Or
leans and leave the 5000 miles of Gulf
coast. and the South Atlantic coast.
without any yard where a vessel even
a damaged torpedo boat. could be re-
paired. 1t is quite clear to most people
that If we ever have any cause for en-
gaging our navy in actual service, the
seat Of trouble will likely be in the
Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. If
navy yards are to be abandoned, shall
they be those nearest the zone Of con-
flict-within a few hundred miles at
most-or should they be those several
thousand miles distant from the place
of need?
Satisfactory to Congress.
TT is admitted that these yards were
established by act of congress- From
time to time, and as late as June "a
1910. congress has made specified ap-
preparations for them. Clearly, con-
gress has expressed no intention, not
even an intimation of a purpose, to
abandon these yards.
The navy department asserts it's
right and its choice to do indirectly. in
effect. what 1t cannot do directly. It
has no authority to abandon the sta
tons 1t claims the power to close
! them. The difference is about the
same as that between 'Tweedle Dunn
and 'Tweedle Dee It would seem rea-
! sonable and appropriate and advisable
to consult and obtain the concur
renee Of congress before taking such a
course. Congress, before deciding so
serious a question, involving a reversal
Of policies, turning against a yard and
harbor selected nearly a century ago
and favored by experts since, and sac
r!fictng valuable property, would likely,
through its regular or special commit
tees, make a careful examination Of
the whole matter and give due consid-
GRAFTON to all the facts, circumstances
and conditions. The conclusion, when
that is done, will find acceptance. I'm
til then, l question the wisdom and the
authority to peremptorily discharge
the force and close the yard, as the
department proposes. I claim, for in
stance, that specific appropriations for
the Pensacola yard, made by congress.
! -
piled elsewhere. The report of the sec
rotary Of the navy shows the unused
portions of appropriations aggregate
1859, l claim that the secretary of
the navy cannot esta blish a naval base
in this or a foreign country without
the consent and provision of congress,
and if one be established at Guantana-
mo or anywhere else, 1t does not follow
that thereby the secretary is given
leave and license to abandon or close
yards, long established elsewhere. in
the teeth of congress and against
every expression he has ever been able
to wiring from congress.
Whole Nation Concerned.
TT is important to know precisely
what is being done in this respect and
the reasons and authority for such &C
ton. Not only Florida and the Gulf
States, but the whole country, is con-
cerned in this matter.
1t is a very simple matter for the
department to deny work to a yard,
starve it. and then cite the payroll and
other expenses in comparison with the
amount of work turned out and prove
that a wise economy dictates the cut
ting down Of expenses. That simply
means that the necessary expenses Of
man without employment exceed his
income. There is work to do, but II 1t
is sent elsewhere, and there is nothing
furnished the yard to do, the very con-
dition complained of is produced. The
evidence that the yard is Improbable