The San Francisco call., 1913-07-27
WHOLE BAY STUDIED
AS STRATEGIC PORT
Cabinet Officer to Advise
Congressional Committees
to Visit Here Before Act
ing on Proposal for Great
Drydock-Hunters Point
Is Viewed as Likely Site
Mrs. Daniels Is Honored

II JosephuS Daniels had worn a pair
Of bib overalls instead of his demo-
cratic sack suit during his tour through
the shops and ways of the Mare island
navy yard yesterday, the managing
editor" of the navy might have been
mistaken easily for the master me-
chanic
Secretary Daniels was perfectly at
home among the host OF Uncle Sans
employees at Mare island. He won their
admiration and respect for his accurate
knowledge of the craft Of shipbuilding
and for his speaking acquaintance with
all the intricate machines used in the
shops
Speaking at the Navy Y. NJ c. A in
Vallejo, Secretary Daniels assured the
residents of that city that Mare island
always will be Mare island. He added
that his trip OF inspection more than
suficed to carry out his original idea,
that Mare island navy yard was not a
second class navy yard. and never
viii be-"
CONGRESSIONAL VISIT
Careful in not committing himself
TO any program of improvements for
any spot in everything he said, the
secretary concluded by saying he would
advise the naval committee Of the
house and senate to make a visit to
San Francisco bay before acting upon
his proposed recommendations for new
and greater naval bases to care for
the augmented Atlantic fleet, which
viii be at home in these waters after
the Panama canal is opened.
John Fitzpatrick, heading a commit
tee representing the workmen employed
on Mare island, presented petition
asking that the men be given repre-
sentation on the wage board. The
men requested also the abolishment of
the premium system. plan devised to
measure compensation according to in
dividual efficiency The secretary said
he would give both matters under dis
cussion sincere consideration. He said
the wage question is a difficult one,
and that the department is attempting
now to work the matter out satisfac-
tori1y.
STUDIES BAY SHORE
After he had examined the contour
Of the entire bay country from the
deck of the torpedo boat destroyer
Hull, Secretary Daniels was surfeited
with sites for the mammoth dry dock.
to cost s1,75o,OOo, which the govern
ment plans to build in the bay to care
for the largest dreadnoughts OF tho
feet, If his expressions OF admiration
and approval of certain stretches of
shore are an indication of his
thoughts
Secretary and Mrs. Daniels can give
some members Of the San Francisco
Chamber of Commerce and others IN
the personnel Of the party scheduled
to make the trip on the Hull lessons in
early rising. Secretary Daniels and
''the real secretary OF the navy were
at the wharf at 7:4o o'clock this morn
ing.
The Hull weighed anchor at s
o'clock on the minute and more guests
missed the boat than made It.
RECEPTIONS TO REPORTERS
True to his training as a newspaper
man, Secretary Daniels waved the men
in gilt and tinsel aside when the re-
porters and camera men started across
the gangway.
Come along, boys" he said, waving
his hand, I'VE couldn't get along with
out you"
And the ensign bowed as the squad
ciambered aboard
Among those who accompanied Sec
retary Daniels were: Surgeon General
Charles A Stokes, Z. S. N; Lieutenant
Commander Leigh c. Palmer, the Sec
retary's naval aid; Colonel Littleton w.
r Waller commander of the marine
barracks and Mrs. Waller; Captain
Frank NJ Bennett, commandant at
Mare island; Manley r Gates. medical
director; Lloyd s. Shepley, civil engi-
neer; George A. Mckay. head of the
department of public works; Joseph
Fyffe. general store keeper and pay
inspector; Captain and Mrs. William
Cross and Captain Charles f. Pond.
First the Hull ran to Hunters point,