The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-26
Assistant Secretary Discusses Plans
of Department to Make Best
Use of Anticipated Locations

placed to-day. some changes would he
made. Prior to 1850 II was thought
that the range Of a cannon would
never exceed the league which meas
ured "A nations jurisdiction beyond its
coast line: but now II would he no
strain upon a dreadnouRht's IA inch
guns to smash "A shipyard at three or
four times that distance.
but from the standpoint of eco
Monies, in which their use for military
necessities is the first factor. the yards
are fairly well located and too few
rather than too many in number.
Every one. knows that to some en-
tent the distribution Of the yards In
the first instance was aided by local
influenCes: hut as only one. Charleston
in 1901. has been constructed since
1921, this day and generation need
give little concern to that as a present
grievance.
AS To the use Of national yards for
political party advantage, | can say
nothing about what may have been
done in other Administrations: but |
say e%mphatically II IL not done under
this Administration; for il is not good
business. which is a sufficiently good
reason. nor Is 1t good politics.
Comparison between costs OF main
tenance Of foreign yards and construc-
ton Of ships in them with the same
items i'm the United States yards re
fleets unfairly upon our management,
since the American workman demands
and receives fair pay for his labor: and
the American manufacturer Of ship
material and fittings. into whusc prod
net labor largely enters. obtains cor
responding prices. But in efficiency Of
work and organization the United
States yards will stand comparison
with any yard, public or private. in
1 any country
There is a popular hazy idea that
a navy yard is an enclosed space
usually near the water, SO that ships
may moor alongside while something
or other is being done to them. Those
persons who haV, sailed past the yards
have IA conception Of several such YES
scls. and one. or maybe two. great
unused rancs presenting enormous
arms and m~ultitudirous wire cables
soil to the yard for the benefit Of
some influential contractor.
II such a person will visit "A FIRST
class yard, such as the New York yard
and they are open at suitable hour
To- public inspection will come
away with a very different menta
picture. II. will realize that the p.ac,
seems unpeoplod only because the
yards are 50 large that the buildings
and The wurkmen are not crowded
He VIII see barracks large enough {,
furnish ruomy accommodations fo,
regiments OF marines, with "A biz
parade ground on which they ar.
drilled. and beyond a row of neat anC
comfortable houSes where the com
mandant. usually of Rear Admirals
rank. and some Of the officers attaChe,
to the yard have quarters for them
selves and their families.
The visitor viii see row after row al
great freproof s~torehouses filled with
all sorts Of non-perishahle supplies FOL
the ships-with flour and dried applies
butter and cheese. salt and sugar. drieC
peas. beans and canned goods: will
duck suits, cotton suits, cloth uni
forms. pea jackets and sou'westers
with paint and white lead. with hem
and wire cables. with anchors an,
chains. In another building he vii
find all sorts of light ordnance, quiCl
firing and machine guns. Of man.
types.
II fortunate enough To he sdmitte,
To- the torpedo DON he wi. see III
deadly United States navy torpedo. hull
like a cigar, with its blunt rOscd poin
ana tapering stern at which there ar
the double bladed propcllers wh!c.