The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-21
MORE NAVY YARDS
THAN ARE NEEDED {.
Uncle Sam Maintaining Places
That Are Unfit for
Use.
SOME TO BE ABANDONED
Secretary Meyer Thinks Three on
Each Coast OF Mainland
Sufficient.

Washington. D. c.. June 2o.-The
abandonment Of all the navy yards on
the Atlantic coast except three. and
the concentration OF docking and re-
rair facilities at these points. Will be
urged upon Congress by Secretary of
the Navy Meyer at the converting OF
The regular session in December AIR.
Never appeared as witness yesterday
morning before the House Committee
on Expenditures in the Navy Depart
mcnt and talked frankly of his plans
20 place the naval establishment IN
readiness for any emergency.
Eecretary Meyer recommended to the
House Committee OH Naval Anairs
last session that the navy yards at
sacketts Herbor. Port Royal. Pensa-
rola, New Orleans, san Juan and Ca
vitr be abandoned He said that
after giving further onsidcration
10 the subject he thought that three
navy yards on the Atlantic coast and
three on the Pacific would give the
maximum efficiency in time OF war.
lie declined TO say which three OF the
great navy yards on the Atlantic coast
Portsmouth, Boston, New York, Phil
Hdclphia, Norfolk and Charleston
would be abandoned, and told the com
mittee he had turned over to a JOINT
army and navy board preliminary de-
Termination Of this important question.
Concentration necessary.
The committee appeared deeply in
,crcsted in the Secretary,s statements
ana asked him many questions con-
.crning Navy Department policies. EN-
planning the plan TO reduce so greatly
the number OF navy yards, Mr.. Meyer
suggested that concentra ton had been
found 10 be as necessary in the navy
establishment as elsewhere in these
modern days. and that. in addition
10 saving millions of dollars to the
government would be of incalculable
benefit to the United States in time
OF war. Some of the old navy yards
he said, were absolutely united to
dock or repair up-to-date war vessels,
and others could not even be APP
preached by modern ship.
And ii is the present policy of the
Navy Department." said Mr.. Meyer.
mot TO maintain naval base in the
philippines. but simply to retain
Olongapo as repair station. That
could be abandoned in case of war.
Dattleships cannot get up to the Cavite
navy yard"
Secretary Meyer referred TO Pearl
wall. HS TIC GlOEd VI
the Pacific" and declared that would
be the base OF operations OF the United
States heet in the event Of war opera
tions in the Pacihc. With respect to
Guantana mo. 1.-THE key of the Carib
beam Mr.. Meyer said that 1t had a
Wonderful harbor, capable OF contain
Ing the entire United states feet and
all auxiliaries at one time.
When the Panama Canal is opened"
said Mr.. Meyer. 1T VIII become more
evident that all these navy yards are
not needed on the Atlantic coast. be-
cause the fleet will be a part Of the
time in the Atlantic and part OF the
time in the Pacific. The strategic po-
sition Of Guantanamo Is very impor
tant, and Congress recognized this at
:hc last session by appropria ting
}%41,oo0 for establishing temporary
base there and installing repair shops.
Dnses In Time of War.
The great naval bases In time
Of war" the Secretary added. would
he Pearl Harbor, on the Pacific side.
and Guantanamo, on the Atlantic side.
You say you have abandoned the
Philippines as naval base?' inquired
Representative Hardy, of Texas, the
committee chairman.
Yes Mr.. Meyer responded.
Does that mean" Mr.. Hardy con-
;inued, that we would abandon the
islands in1ime If warp
Secretary Meyer replied to this
question by pointing out that the army
mas terrifying itself very strongly in
,he Philippines and declaring that
as long as the United States fleet in
he Pacific was concentrated as
sngle unit and operating from Pearl
Harbor as a base that no foreign
power would dare to land large
torce, OF men in the Philippines
No such operations could be con-
Quoted. according 10 strategists he
paid. until the United States fleet had
been destroyed And he thought the
Heet would be much stronger and
much more dangerous. operating from
,he single Pearl Harbor ca Sc than d.
Sided and operating from several bases
~ the same time. M
The line Of inquiry pursued by the
Hardy Committee on Expenditures in
she Navy Department indicates
,hat before long there may be clash
II between this body and the House Com
mittee on Naval Affairs, of which Rep
rcsentative Padgeu. OF Tennessee, is
Chairman. The expenditures commit
tee would Ike TO have the credit OF
carrying out Mr.. Meyers plans for the
abolition of the dozen or so navy Yards
4 on his list. But committees are sd-
aittedly Jealous of their prerogatives,
Ind there probahaly will be row be-
Gore the question is settled
Nominated by President.
WASHINGTON. G. .TiOo On Ca ant a IN