The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-07-29

That the fight for the preservation
Of the Pensacola and other southern
navy yards has not been given I'D and
that it is not considered a hopeless
one by any means, is shown by the
following special to the New Orleans
Times-Democrat:
Washington, July 26.-Action with re-
gard to the New Orleans naval sta
ton will go over to the regular session
next winter. Gen. Estopinal TODAY Of
fered the resolution prepared by him
yesterday, but it will stand merely as
notice to the officials of the depart
ment that when the times comes the
Louisiana member of the committee
will make a fight to have the appro-
priation bill so written as to force them
to treat the New Orleans establish
ment on terms of equality with other
yards and stations. That they can do
by giving the New Orleans establish
ment a prorated share of the allow
ances made for the support of yards
Gen. Estopinal had a long talk with
Chairman Padgett of the naval affairs
committee. The latter frankly told
him that it is too much to ask con-
gress to pass a bill directing the
president as to what disposition he
shall make Of the military and naval
forces Of the country. The constitu-
ton gives him command of the army
and navy, and even if he signed an
appropriation bill containing such a
direction, he could regard it merely as
advisory, instead of mandatory.
Therefore, the Estopinal resolution
will not be adopted, but will be the
foundation upon which the campaign
for the New Orleans and Pensacola
yards will be 7laced next winter
Chairman Padgett is friendly toward
the two establishments, as shown by
the fact that last winter, when Sec
rotary Meyer asked for their abolition
be voted no. Being of the opinion
that they should not be abolished, he
naturally expects to, support whatever
limitations the Louisiana and Florida
members may propose, with a ew to
forcing Secretary Meyer to give New
Orleans and Pensacola a proper share
of the allowances made for the main
tehance of yards and stations.
Senator Thornton, the Louisiana
member of the senate naval affairs
committee, will be in a position TO in
sist upon such limitations upon appro-
priations as the house committee may
agree to. with view to forcing fair
treatment for the southern yards. The
parties are so split in the senate that
the Taft administration cannot expect
the Republican senators to support its
programme for managing the navy.
That gives reasonable assurance that
President Taft will have to agree to a
curbing of Secretary Meyer, so that he
cannot carry out his plan to concen-
trate everything in the northern yards
and make their administration con-
form to the wishes of the Republican
politicians whose constituents are en-
ployed in them.
Protests of commercial bodies OF
New Orleans against the reduction ot
the force and equipment of the navy
yard were received by Acting SeCra-
tary of the Navy Winthrop today. The
communications expressed the beliet
that the decrease of the Importance
or the abandonment of the New Or
leans naval station would expose the
city to a disastrous attack in time of
war. Mr.. Winthrop has replied that a
navy yard has no Notifications and
cannot be regarded as a means of de-
Tense. On the other hand, he claimed,
it actually was an invitation to attack,
as it is an axiom with naval com
manders to attempt to destroy the
navy yards Of an enemy in order TO
cut off his bases Of supplies and re-
pairs.