Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-23

with him, In the langua ge, T think that is so" The secretary of the navy, in closing the nearing, with reference to this matter, and the above, with what follows. include ali that appears in the committee hearings on the subject, said: Possibly yet it is only an ex- pense to keep it. It will be cheaper for them to take it No vessel of any size can go in there"
 1t is particularly to this last observa- tion of the secretary of the navy that I want to take exception. This station ts located within q short distance of one of the best harbors on the Atlantic coast The Dakota and Minnesota, world at the time of their construc- tion, which was only a short time ago, were built and launched within about two miles of this coaling station. The harbor of New London is large enough and has depth of water sufficient to from the coast and geodettc survey that from the harbor If New London to this station, and at the station, there ia sufficisnt depth to take any ship of our navy.
 The navy department seems to rec ognize the value of New London as 2 naval base; for not only this summer, but for many summers previously, New London has been the place of rendez- vous for the Atlantic squadron in their practice cruise, and for three months of the summer for greater or less time a considerable part of our navy in eastern waters use this harbor. There is no coaling station nearer than Newport.
 I can only say, in answer to the proposition, that no vessel of any size can go in there: that I have repeated 1y seen torpedo boats and cruisers tied to the docks at the New London coal ling: and one of our most experienced and careful navfgators, who has earn ed a world wide reputation in the American navy, has said that he could take the Connecticut to that station, feet ease and safety. submit that an examination of the survey of the Thames river demonstrates that fact. The war department, by legislation in this congress, have been authorized to turn over to the treasury department Fort TrumbuH for school for the rev enue cutter service, and this school is now established within few miles of this station. 1t is true that between this station and the harbor of New London is a drawbridge, erected and maintained by the New York, New Ha- ven and Hartford Railroad company. At the time of it's construction this bridge had the largest draw of any bridge in this country. The New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad have been considering for some time placing a new. draw at this point. Whether it will be of the same type as the present bridge I am not informed, but it. is not at all improbable that 4 type of bridge may be constructed which will remove all possible doubt of the ability of any sized vessel util- izing this station for all and every purpose.
 Mir. Chairman, this property is ex- ceedingly valuable It has been main tained at a very small annual charge upon the treasury. It has not only a water front of mile, but is divided by the tracks of the New York New Ha- ven and Hartford railroad. is de- 1ightfully situated on one of he most beautiful rivers of this country, is near a growing and prosperous city, and SC located that it might well furnish many uses for the navy if not desired by the department for its present pur- poses. 7 I insist that it ought not at this time to be abandoned, and there fore make the point or order.
 Adr. Legare. I will include that in my amendment, if that suits the gen tleman from Connecticut.
 MT. Higgins. It Is already inelude1 in the point of order the gentleman makes.