The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-09-15
NEW ORLEANS
FIGHTING FOR
HER NAVY YARD
HAS SECURED A PROMISE FROM
ASSISTANT SECRETARY RoosE-
WELT TO VISIT THERE IN AD-
DITIoN TO HOUSE NAVAL CON-
MITTEE.

Despite the adverse report by the
naval experts. New Orleans is fighting
hard to reopen the naval station there
and the Times-Democrat in this con-
nection yesterday commented the fol-
lowing:
1--WE are to have several additional
examinations of the New Orleans navy
yard. Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Roosevelt will be down here, we are
told, in November to look over the
field thoroughly. The house naval
committee win follow soon after, some
time in December, either just before
the regular session begins or during
the holidays. The committee has al
ready visited some of the Atlantic
stations. 1t will take in the Pacific
coast stations as soon as the extra ses-
sion is over, and will visit Pensacola
and New Orleans later.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, who
will, it is said, determine the fate Of
the yard as far as the secretary Of the
navy is concerned, is understood to be
very friendly toward New Orleans, be-
Iieving that this city is the best point
for a naval and military base, sharing
in that respect the views which Gen.
Leonard Wood, chief of staff, express
ed when a recent visitor here. With
the inspection made by Gen. Wood
some months ago, when New Orleans
received the same warm praise and
encoura cement it has received from
its other visitors, this city has been
or will be inspected from a military
or naval standpoint five times.
1.-THE views expressed by Mr.. Roose-
Welt are those Of any sensible, practi-
cal man who has studied the history
of this country, which shows so con-
clusively that New Orleans has been
recognized by every nation; including
France Spain, England, the United
States and the Confederacy, as most
useful naval and military base. Rela-
tive to the visit of Mr.. Roosevelt, no
explanation is given of the fact that
the secretary of the navy should send
his assistant to reinvestigate and look
over the navy yard, when he himself
only a few weeks ago made just such
a survey, unless it be that he saw
enough to convince him that the New
Orleans yard ought to be opened, and
detailed his assistant to go into the
details with the purpose of carrying
out his views. 1t may be mentioned
incidentally, Is regards the suggested
Joint use of the naval reservation by
army and navy, that the secretary OF
war has had his eye for some time on
the naval station, and would like to
get it for the army if it is ever aband-
oned for naval purposes. as Jackson
Barracks, the military post on this side
Of the river, is deemed inadequate and
unsatisfactory in other ways.
LAS far as inspection Of the navy
yard goes, we have had two already
within the year-three If we include
the visit of Gen. Wood. First came
the secretary Of the navy himself, Jo-
sephus Daniels, who went over the
grounds and buildings, made a thor
ough inspection, pronounced himself
well satisfied with what he had found
and asserted that the government
could not afford to throw away all the
money it had expended on this station
and that 1t must be utilized as far as
it could be advantageously.
Then came the naval board on