Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-06
DRYDOCk STILL
thorn in SIDE
OF GOVERNMENT
Who Shall Stand Loss of the
Great Disaster at Pearl Har-
Dor Is Burning Question
CONTRACTORS MAY BE.
LEFT TO HOLD THE SACK
Secretary of Navy Has Reques-
ted Opinion from Attorney
General McReynoIdS
By C. S. ALBERT,
Special Star-Bullctin Correspondence

Especial Star Bulletin Correspondence
! WASHINGTON. D. c.. Dec. 25.-
! Must the government or the contrac
tors sustain the loss resulting from
unexpected and unforeseen compiled
lions encountered in constructing the
, dryGock at Pearl Harbor?
This question has been engrossing
navy department officials for some
time. After the return of Alfred
Noble and the submission of his re-
port pronouncing it practicable to com
plete the work, Secretary Daniels an
nounced that the entire problem would
be put up to Congress early next year.
E That body would be given an oppor-
tunity TO assume full responsibility for
settling the matter. He would appear
fefore the house committee on1 naval
affairs and explain all features OF the
situation
> Representatives of the contractors
were inslstenL that their clients should
be released from accountability for the
bottom of the drydock sinking and
their loss should be limited to expendi-
ture of the original $3,40p, 900 appro-
priated. lit was arguel that Congress
must allow whatever additional
amount was necessary to build the
drydock. .... ~. -.
In order to speedily terminate the
controversy Secretary Daniels finally
determined to request an expert legal
. opinion from the department Of jus,
tee. With that end iD-Eie%, Attorney
general McReynolds was asked for
an opinion.
The conclusions Of the attorney-gen-
eTal have not been submitted. 1t is
unlikely he will take the question up
till after the holiday season ends. He
went to Elkton, Kentucky, before
Christmas and is not expected here
until January II. Unless some of his
assistants attend to the request made
| by Secretary Daniels nOkhing will be
| accomplished until after the re-as.
sembling of Congress and the return
of Mr.. McReynolds.
Think Contractors Will Lose.
The general belief prevails that the
opinion when rendered will be ad.
verse to the contractors. 1t is thought
, the department Of Justice authorities
Will HOlO tnaC tne contractors must
! carry out their agreement and con
struct the drydock for 50 400,0 1t
is thought the blame for not making
stipulations CT exception must rest up
en- those undertaking to build the dry.
/ cock and no cHlpability attaches to re-
! Lresentatives of the government.
In the event that such an opinion is
given Secretary Daniels there will be
no necessity for the further apprOpri.
alton of funds by Congress, as was at
| first anticipated. 1t will become the
duty of the contractors to pocket their
, loss and go ahead with the work &C.
| cOrding to the plans laid 'lown by Mr..
| Noble.
Under such circumstances relief for
| the contractors only could be afforded
hy Congressional action. In view Of
! the conditions it is highly probable
that reasonable allowance would be
made A course of that character has
always been followed in the case Of
delayed battleships and other con
tract work.