The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-10-07
TOUR, THEREFORE.
IS ABANDONED
Congressman Britten of III
inois, and Congressman
Roberts of Massachusetts,,
Will Pay Their Own Ex-
penses and Visit Yards,
Including Pensacola.

The proposed tour Of the country OF
the house committee on naval AFFAIRS
for an inspection Of all navy yards OF
the United States has been abandoned
for the reason that there is no appro-
priation available for such a trip Of the
f1fteen or more members. However.
two members, Congressman Britten of
Illinois, and Congressman Roberts OF
Massachusetts,, propose making the
tour at their own expense, leaving
Washington about Nov /. They will
visit Pensacola some time during that
month. Congressman Britten is the
member with whom President Dobson
Of the Commercial Association had
some correspondence, when the repre-
sentative assailed the southern navy
yards and opposed their reopening be-
fore he had heard any Of the facts.
The Army and Navy Journal in a re-
cent issue contained the following re-
garding the proposed tour:
"As the result Of action taken on
Sept. 30 the house naval affairs COM
mittee indefinitely postponed it's Pa
cific coast trip, because Of a misun-
derstanding as to what fund the ex-
penses of the trip was to be charged.
The secretary Of the navy was under
the impression that the committee had
appropriation, while Chairman Padgett
proposed that they should be paid
from the contingent fund OF the navy.
When the secretary was informed
that the committee expected to draw
upon the navy department for the ex-
penses he advised Chairman Padgett
that he did not think that the navy
should be called upon to expend from
eight to twelve thousand dollars in
transporting the committse. as much
as he desired the committee to inspect
all OF the navy yards.
However, two members Of the COM
mittee Representatives e. w Roberts
of Massachusetts, and F. A. Britten OF
Illinois, will visit the Pacific coast
yards and may extend the trip to the
southern yards. They will pay their
own expenses and hav written to
Secretary Daniels asking him for a let
ter Of introduction to the comman-
dants OF the yards. AS far as I am
said Mr.. Britten, I do not
to vote for large appropria-
tions for navy yards without person
ally inspecting them. believe in
modern and scientifically managed
navy yards, but / think congress
should guard carefully against useless
expenses upon shore stations. After
dllJ II 10 the meet Lildl We aIb LAyAilk
TO build up, and we should reduce our
expenses on shore to a minimum. BY
that 1 do not believe that the yards
should be crippled so that the fleet
cannot be maintained econ nomically.
The navy yard question would be one
of the most dIfncult problems that the
will be called upon TO solve.
and I am just interested enough in It
10 pay my own expenses on a trip 10
he coast to look over the situation
here. I regret that a way could not
De found by which all Of the members
If the committee could complete the
OF the navy yards
Mr.. Britten is large contractor
md is in every way competent to de-
ermine the needs Of the various yards.
Ar. Roberts is one Of the veteran mem
,ers Of the committee and has always
aiken an active interest In the navy.
their itinerary is not decided,
dessrs. Britten and Roberts will prob
Lbly leave Washington on Nov. !.
Their first stop will be at the Great
Continued on Page Severn