Evening star., 1941-05-11
Gun Plant Inspected
By Latin American
Naval Chiefs
Visitors Impressed by
Work Being Done
At Yurd Here

Work Being Done
At Iurd Here
Amid the roar and blast Of a fac.
tory operating "a hours a day per-
fecting munitions for national de-
fense, IL Latin American naval
chiefs yesterday viewed activities in
the Washington Navy Yard arsenal,
One of the visiting officers pointed
10 a new 50-calibar, 16-inch gun and
remarked: I'VE need lots of them
and more" The new rifle had just
been completed and was mounted
ready for shipment to the Dahlgren
CVa.) Proving Ground for tests be-
fore being placed in a battleship
turret.
The general theme of the days
activities was hemisphere solidarity
as expressed in the various greet
ings exchanged. Rear Admiral
George T. Pettengill, commandant Of
the yard, sounded the keynote when
he declared in emphatic terms:
II feel that I can truthfully say
that we now are. in effect, men,
bers OF one service. Our problems OF
the future will of necessity be solved
by our adherence to that community
of thought and respect for human
liberty which motivates us all"
Source Of Satisfaction.
To this Col. Francisco Tamayo
Cortes, chief of staff of the Colom-
bian Navy, replied that "it is a
source of satisfaction to think that
in the near future the North Amer
lean Navy will achieve such degree
of power that it will be the decisive
factor to insure that whatever diff
ficulty may arise will be solved by
the criteria of loyalty to the great
human and social principles which
have inspired the free and sovereign
existence of the American repub-
lies"
He added that the spirit of
frank cooperation and service of
all of the members of the mission
constitutes q real Interpretation of
the atmosphere of solidarity which
has now been attained in the rela-
tions of the countries of the Ameri-
can continents. Our presence here
is q manifestation of the interest
which We have for everything re-
lated to the prosperity and great
ness of the North American Navy"
Arriving from an inspection of
the American Union where
they were greeted by DR.. Leo S.
Rowe. director general, they were
accorded full military honors, in
cluding l7-gun salute, Marine
Guard and the Navy Band playing
the Admiral's March.
Luncheon at PettenEill Home.
Admiral Pettengill invited the
officers to his home, neatly fur
nished with Oriental furniture,
tapestries and jade work, where
luncheon was served before the in
spection of the gun factory.
The commandant told his guests
that I'VE are brothers in arms. We
have q common destiny and
common way OF lie.
This meeting and the future
contacts which will be established
between yourselves and our ofacers
during the coming days are an
earnest token of friendship and CO.
operation, which can only result in
. clearer mutual understanding of
the problems which confront ns.
I'VE shall, I am confident, solve
them and in their solution
strengthen the bonds of good faith
and friendship which already exist"
he declared.
Col. Tamayo noted points of inter-
est visited by the naval party since
their arrival in Miami the first Of
the week and added he wished to
take the opportunity to render
tribute" to the work of the United
States Naval Mission in mis- country.
Favorably Impressed.
1--WE have had occasion to see the
development which now is taking
place in the different activities of
your Navy and have been most
favorably impressed by your accom-
plishments in such a short period
of time" he said
I'm closing, I wish to express the
satisfaction and confidence we feel
In the steps being taken toward the
principal objective of American soli-
darity which tends to guarantee to
each country its free and peaceful
life under the protection of the
labors of its own people," Col.
Tamayo said.
Over the roar. of pounding forge
hammers, presses and blasting ma
chimes, aides assigned to the party
explained the various operations
inspected in the factory lines. They
were given special view of opera
tions barred to nearly all other Wis
itors and afforded an opportunity
to inspect at close hand intricate
mechanisms operating gun mounts.
Many of the group were especially
impressed with the maneuverability
of 28-millimeter anti-aircraft gun
bank. Operators put the four-gun
mount through its PAGES much to
the delight of the naval chiefs. It's
wide range, both for elevation and
bearing, was demonstrated.
Workmen Busily Engaged.
Overhead huge 250-ton capacity
cranes rumbled along, adding to the
general impression of great activity.
On all sides workmen were busily
engaged in precise work boring gun
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