New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-22
INSPECTION or STEAM VESSELS.

A TALK WITH JAMES A. DUMoNr' GNsrLctoR-GEN-
ERAL OF STEAM vEssELS-wHAr IMPROVEMENTS
MIGHT De MADE.
James A. Dumont. Iuspector-General OF Steam
Vessels, while at tho Hoffman House sunday, was
called upon by reporter Of The TRIBUNE. In reply
70 question az to the working Of his Department,
he said;
@ 81 do not like to say very much about the work
ing OF my Department because it would seem like
seIEprase. cannot help feeling pretty well salts
fed, however with the results, as shown By tho
records During the last four years the casualties
have decreased 30 per cent, while the expenses OF
the inspections have decreased 30 per cent Tins,
think Is due a. much as anything, 10 the complete
organization that now exist. IN the inspection OF
boilers all over the country"
''In what way, If any, could the Department be
impToyedi' ..-.----....., .-.,,, -. e..
changing of the inspection districts ana me super
vi-ing inspectors. At present the United states u
divided into ten districts; over each there Is Su-
prrvising Inspector, who has the power 10 map out
MS own district. Now. II the Secretary Of the
Treasury were to name these t'-tucts % would be
better, because many an honorable" man l. often
times embarrassed by local causes and interests"
Do YOU find the work well carried cut IN de-
tall~9'
Yes IL has been my experience that
owners of steamboats, desire 70 cooperate win u.s.
andrdo as much. or even more. than the law re-
Then the boilers are in good condition p
"Thcy are in very good condition, with Few oX-
ceptiOus where owners are not making money.
"What changes wonId you advise IN the present
laws 7"
salaries paid to local inspectors Atprescn tue rate
~ from $500 to - 200. II the lowest salary gay
for tfty boats or under, was 81 5OJ, and for 100
vessels 81 900. think the work might be done
more scientifically. man that = competent Tor
the position IS certainly worth $1,000 wear"
DO YOU think a change IN the moge OF appoint
ING local inspectors would he adyisabcY
II would be If the power OF appointing tho local
inspectors was entirely IN the hands OF the Superys
ing Inspector. At present the Collector ct Customs,
Judge OF the District Court and the supervising In
spector of the District appoint the men. lhls docs
not work v-rv well because ottcntmrs each man
has his candidate. which c1usra deadlock
"WAat other changes would Improve the ser
vice y
About the only important change which should
advise would be Iu tho meeting Of the ton Supervisors
alre1dy spoken Of. A. present they meet annually,
and sometimes undo laws that are working well, in
stead OF letting well enough alone. Take, for In
stance the last meeting. IL was there decided 10
reduce the space between the woodwork and the
boiler down 10 four inches. from sixteen. which was
the law. his IL bad, because an Inspector cannot
do his duty properly unless lac has 40 least
"A foot of space. But what do Won suppose
the reason was One Of the inspectors from the
Pacific coast allowed boats TO run that only had
five inches. Tie maintained, when spoken to.
first. that he did not know that the law required
sixteen inches and, secondly, that tine space was
excessive. Tho Board reduced the space to four
inches TO support hm in the position he had taken
This Is of the evils of the annual meeting. II
the ten Supervising Inspectors were only to meet AT
the call of the Secretary of the Treasury they
would not meet often. and would then have
more business TO attend TO, In regard 90 tho cut
ting down OF the space, opposed il mt the meeting
and shall advise the. Sec etarY Of the Treasury
against allowing the law to be changed This IN
brief is about what can advise for tho improve
ment OF the service"