The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-27

for the most part will have to be done
off shore. Some boats will have to be
able to operate 100 miles off the coast,
and others at greater distance, in some
instances perhaps 400 or 500 miles,
and one of the big problems before us
is to get large enough fleet of these
big sea-going boats ~ 4
Then we will need the fleet of
smaller boats for duty in the Hudson
and East Rivers, in the lower har-
Dor, and at the head Of the Sound.
should say off hand that we do not
want motor boats under 40 feet in
length unless they have exceptional
qualities, such as unusual speed. etc.
We want boats with quarters for
crews-in other words, cabin boats.
We want to know in the very mini
mum of time where these boats are,
and we want to know what they can
do, for they may be extremely useful
in the near future.
Not to Upset Commerce.
'tThen, of course, we shall also need
a number of merchant vessels, yet, at
the same time, we do not want to in
terfere in any way with. the carrying
on of our commerce. We want as
many of our merchant Ships as posi-
BILE to go to the other side, and it
would be a national mistake to take
over the vessels needed in that trade
But there are number of coast lines,
some with small fleets and others with
larger Ones which might spare a boat
here and there without facing the
danger, of disrupting their regular
business.
t'Those of you who own or operate
boats can tell us who among your
crews are American citizens, and you
can advise them to enroll in the Naval
Reserve for service in the event Of
war only. By so doing they do not
obligate themselves to peace service.
They will be summoned only in the
event Of war.
st want to say just one word for
the Naval Militia. That organization
has done fine work, and in the event
of war the men of the Naval Militia
are to be rewarded by being ordered
to service with the active fleet
81 cannot impress upon you too
strongly the Importance of this help
we ask you to render the, country.
You can and will do it, I know"
He explained that similar defensive
would be taken at the other
Atlantic ports. ~
At the conclusion of Mr. Roosevelt's
talk, the marine superintendents Of
railroads present said they would hold
a meeting today to discuss ways and
means for placing the big. fleet Of rail-
road tugs at the disposal of the gov
eminent These tugs are the finest in
the world, Of steel construction, and
are specially adapted for duty at
great distances off shore. Captain
Eugene E. Moran and Captain Rich
ard Bennett, representing the other
towing interests, told Mr.. Roosevelt
that they would Immediately get in
touch with all tugboat lines other than
those owned by the railroads, and
Captain Moran said the navy could
rest assured that the tugmen would
respond to a man There are $50 tugs
in New York waters.
Timothy Healy of the Eccentric
Firemen's Marine Union also pledged
he full support Of his organization,
while T. l.. Delahunty of the marine
engineers said the engineers had al
ready discussed the situation and were
ready to carry out any orders issued
by the naval authorities. Captain Luz
Their B. Dow Of the Steamship Officers
association said no one need worry
about the deck officers Of the ship fly
ing the American flag. They were
ready, he added.
The mobilization Of yacht owners is
in the hands of a committee composed
Of William Butler Duncan, Robert E.
Tod and Vincent Astor. These three
were present, and Mr.. Tod told Mr.
Roosevelt he had a 11O-foot power
boat adapted for patrol service, nearly
and that the vessel was at