Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-28

MICHAEL LIEBEI, JR. Schuylxill County
Mr.. Liebel is well known among Demo-
Gratis In Philadelphia. He is the acknowl-
edged Democratic, leader in northwestern
Pennsylvania, and more of the leadership
burden has fallen his shoulders since the
death in Florida of State Senator j. X. p.
Hall
There are interesting associations of Con-
gresham Liebel's home town with the
American navy. He was born and reared
in Erie, where since 1874, the old United
States steamship Michigan, now called the
Wolverine, has been stationed. The Wolver-
inc is not only the oldest iron warship atioat,
but it also is the only American warship on
the entire chain of Great Lakes 1t was
there before the treaty between England and
the United States was made and this treaty
specifically cares for this old ship, which is
still in commission and cruises about the
lakes every year. by allowing it to remain
an armed warship. Just at present 1t is
used as training ship for the Pennsylvania
Naval Militia, but it is on the active list Of
naval vessels of the Navy Department and
has a regular crew on ii at all times.
And not far from where the Wolverine is
moored for the winter at Erie lies Commo-
dore Perry's rejuvenated flagship, the Nj
years in Misery Bay in l912-19lS, rebuilt and
towed from one port to another during the
Perry centennial Of 1918 Here are two of
the oldoC fighting ships in the world, ready
to sail at almost any minute.
Wives for the Navy
The presence OF The Wolverine in Erie for
so many years has helped 10 give Congress-
man Liebel n wide acquaintance among
naval officers and unusual personal
knowledge of the navy itself. For many
years a berth on the Wolverine, when it was
the Michigan, eagerly sought by naval
officers and there were moro requests for
assignments to duty at Erie than ever could
be cared for by the department. There is
many retired admiral who served aboard
the Wolverine as a junior officer the ac-
tive list at present who recalls with pleasure
his days of duty at Erie Scores of naval
officers married Erie girls, and that is the
chief reason for calling Erie "the mother-in-
law of the navy" 1t is said that Erie has
furnished more wives for the navy than any
city in the United States.
Congressman Liebel has a wide acquaint-
ance among naval officers ranging from
juniors to retired veterans and his appoint
ment TO the Naval Committee was accepted
in Washington, particularly, with a great
deal OF satisfaction. One of his closest
friends was the late Captain Grdley, of
Erie, the hero of Manila, who commanded
Dewey's flagship. the Olympia, in that ia
nous battle.
Particularly should Philadelphia be inter-
ested in Congressman Liebel because ne has
gone on record as being a friend of the Phila-
delphia Navy Yard.
so far as am concerned said Congress-
man Lhebel in Washington the other day. II
shall do everything within reason to aid in
building up the Philadelphia Navy Yard and
to place It in the front rank. Philadelphia,
geographically, Is better located than any
other city in the United States for ship
building. and l cannot conceive why it
should not take front rank. Neglect of this
yard in the past is undoubtedly responsible
for its present inability 70 handle big bat
tleship contract, AS a member OF the Naval
COMMITTEES. l am in favor Of giving the