Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-23
Congressman Saves Naval Station
Spoke Before the Committee Regarding the Situation There Where the Land Reverts to the Donors Given Up by Government.

Congressman Higgins has succeeded Tn having the provision of the noval bill to abandon and sell the Thames naval station stricken out, although 1t was recommended by the secretary cf the navy. by appearing before the com- mitfee of the house and presenting the facts.
 The following is taken from the Congressional Record of Feb. goth:
 MT. Estopinal. MT. Chairman, graph on page B, line r. and ending at line 21.
 The Chairman. The chair sustains the point of order.
 The clerk read as follows:
 "The secretary of the navy is hers- by authorized and directed to abandon and dispose of the naval reservations at San Juan and Culebra, P. R.; Port Royal, s. O.; New London, Conn; and Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., and to transfer such property, machinery, and other material as may be of use in the naval establishment to other navy yards and stations; and he is further authorized and directed to dispose of the real es- tate in the manner most advantage Ous to the United States government, and shall report to congress the dis position of said material and real es- tate at it's next regular session.
 MT. Legare. Mir. Chairman, reserve the point of order on the entire para graph, with this statement that have no desire to strike out the whole para graph. and if the gentleman from Lh- nois will consent to an amendment to strike out Port Royal, 8. C., will be satisfied to dror 1t.
 Mir. Higgins. l desire to make th4 point of order, on page 34, line 1, to the words New London Conn.,"
 MT Chairman. make the point of order striking out the words New London Conn, where they appear on page S4, line l, of this bill, because believe that this provision was insert ed under 8 misconception of the sftua- ton.
 I am in entire accord with the policy Of economy that is being sought, both in the naval department and in the other departments of this government The New London naval station was established in a general naval appro- priation bill approved March 2, 1867. United States statutes at large, volume 4, page 4S9, by the following lan- guage:
 And the secretary of the navy is hereby authorized and directed to re- ceive and accept a deed of gift when offered by the state of Connecticut of a tract of land situated in the Thames river. near New London, Conn, with a water front of not less than one mile. to be held by the United States for naval purposes"
 The city of New London, by special authority from the state of Connecti- cut and acting with the state of Con- necticut, did subsequently, acquire, pay for, and deed to the United States a tract of land located on the east bank of the Thames river, about two miles from New London harbor, with 8 wa ter front of not less than one mile, for naval purposes.
 Buildings suitable for naval con- structi0n were erected on this land so ,n after 1t was acquired, and at later time . coaling station was es- tablished, and has been and is now used by the government. Within two years $10.00O was appropriated and used for the establishment of a marine training school at this place. in addi- ton to- the coaling station. This school is now maintained there.
 In the hearings before the naval committee on this bill the chairman of that committee, in interrogating the secretary of the navy on this proposi- tion, said: q understand that when we, get through using the New London coaling station for naval purposes it reverts to the original owner ?'' To which the secretary replied: we are looking that up. believe it reverts to the state" And the chairman agreed