The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-18
Special Commission Makes
Recommendations as to
Betterments.

Washington. Jan. 17.-Retention OF
all existing navy yards. establishment
of submarine bases OH the Atlantic,
gulf and Pacific coasts and a thor.
ongh aeronautical survey Of the coast
of the United States and its possess
sions, were recommended to congress
today in preliminary report by a
special commission of naval officers
appointed by President Wilson.
The commission consisted OF Rear
Admiral J. NJ. Helm. Chief Constructor
W. l.. capps. Civil Engineer II. n.
Rousseau. Captain q. w. A.cElroy and
Commander G. H. Hussey. II an
nonnccd that further investigation
win be necessary before complete re-
ports can be made on many questions.
On the adjustment of navy yards
the commission says that full consid-
Grafton OF the present and prospective
size of our navy, its requirements not
only in peace. but during the far more
exacting conditions Of war, should
bring convincing evidence that the
abnlishing at this time Of any existing
navy yard or naval station within the
continental limits of the United States.
would DO quite without justification.
The report explains that this should
not be taken to mean that there might
not be transfer Of work from one yard
to another or changes in methods of
handling work at certain plants.
1t declares that the present equip-
ment of navy yards Is inadequate in
drydocking facilities. berthing space,
storage facilities. machinery and other
details.
1T Is not only unequal for the re-
quirements Of the fleet" says the re-
port. but win be seriously inadequate
for its proper maintenance when the
fleet is completed to it's present au-
thorized strength"
Not all the yards ARE ideally iocat-
ed" to meet strategic and other re-
quirements. but the commission con-
cludes that such considerations must
have little force" in view Of actual
conditions and the actual requirements
of the present and prospective fleet.
The report says, in answer to the
statement that a greater concentration
OF yards would be economical, that
the question of economy as deter
mined by concentration of naval re-
pair establishments must yield absp-
lutely to the far more serious neces-
sites of the fleet. as undue concentra-
ton of such naval repair establish
ments might easily involve i'm time of
war, military disaster"
These facts and the fact that there
is a large Investment in existing yards,
the use to which they could be put for
fleet repair, purposes and for taking
care of merchant ships that would be
taken over in case Of war; leaves the
with no doubt in its mind"
as to the advisability of their retention.
It's recommendation includes the pres
emit and the near future"
The commission says it is unable at
this time to determine locations for
bases, but recommends in adj
ilition to the comprehensive coast sur
vey an investigation of climatic. air.
Industrial and other conditions. where
such bases may be located. There is
4 divergence Of opinion in naval cir
nles, the commission reports, over the
location of submarine bases and there
is little probability at present that ma |
val authorities will agree on the SUBJ
ject. Generally the commission add
vocates bases on the Atlantic. gulf and
Pacific coasts, but suggests no places. |
inspection Of the Pacific coast with
! view to deciding whether another |
yard should be located there has not |
been completed and the report says
will be made later.