Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1896-01-17
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
MAIN BUILDINGS CONDEMNED.
six Millions Dollars Recommended by the
Committee for improvements Of
Buildings and Grounds.

NO4mA&f&EGGC
Buildings and Grounds.
Tue Joint committee of the two houses
of Congress that visited the Naval Aca-
DENY on Wednesday to inspect the build
ings and grounds, have made their re-
port to Congress in which they condemn
many Of the buildings AS unsafe for their
present use and are disgrace TO the Aca-
DENY, and recommend an appropriation
of six millions dollars for new buildings
and improvements. The most active
member of the committee was Mr..
Thompson, who was Il member of the
last Board of Visitors. He is also q
graduate of the Naval Academy. The
congressional delegation was composed
Of members Of the naval committee of
both houses. The result of the inspec-
tion is of the utmost Importance to both
Annapolis and the State of Maryland.
The members of the naval committee
are unanimously of the opinion that the
academy should be reconstructed upon
better and more extensive plans and
will recommend when the time arrives
| the expenditure of about six mellon dol
lars in order to carry out such plans. 1t
has been determined TO ask for an APP
preparation at this session Of $3.50, 900 to
extend the grounds and to provide pro-
per sewerage system, and an acdluonal
appropriation TO defray the expenses of
the commissioner engaged in preparing
plans for new buildings.
The last Congress authorized the Sec
retary of the Navy to appoint a com
mission of naval officers to examineinto
the condition of the academy and report
a plan of improvements. The commits
sion, of which Commodore Matthews is
chairman, worked all last summer and
have submitted an exhaustive report up
on the subject to the Secretary Of the
Navy, which has not yet been made pub
lie. The report, however, contains par
TALLY completed plans for the entire re-
construction of the academy upon an eX-
tensive scale and in q manner which
would provide for the future develop
ment of the institution, as well as its
present needs. These plans were sub
mitted to the congressional visitors yes
terday and were approved. 1t is pro-
posed to locate the buildings so that all
future additions that can be needed can
conform to the general plan agreed up
on. The building will be of 3 character
far different from those now in use in
both the matter of architectural beauty
and equipment.
Much of the blame for the present con-
dition of the academy is attributed by
mem bers of the committee to the men
who have represented Maryland in Con-
gress and who have failed 70 display the
proper interest in the institution. Sena-
tor Dubois, speaking Of the matter said:
"Tbe Maryland members might have
done a good deal in past years for the
benefit of the institution had they so de-
sired, but they have neglected it and Com
gress has followed their example. The
truth is that Congress has known very
little about the academy. The two hous-
es receive each year the reports of the
board OF visitors and occasionally atten-
tion is called to it by a mem ber of the
naval committee, but they have not had
their interest araused. | believe, how
ever, that the time has come when the
institution can be neglected no longer
and both houses can readily be brought
to understand the importance of the
plans which the naval committees and
the Navy Department have formed. /
should like to see the institution made
one of which the entire country would
feel proud, and in which the State Of
Maryland would take especial pride.
believe it will be done, too, and shall
use my efforts to bring it about. The
naval committee of the Senate is hearth
ly in favor of liberal appropriation for
the purpose. and do not think that the
proposition will meet with serious 0ppo-
sltiOn in either House.
Senator Faulkner, who takes a hear
ty interest in the Academy and who was
largely instrumental in having the
commission appointed to prepare plans
for the enlargement of the grounds and
the reconstruction of the buildings,
said: Every one who sees the academy
agrees that the present condition of the
institution is a disgrace 10 the nation,
and Congress has about made up its
| mind that 1t should continue no longer in
its present shape There ID not State
institution in the country that is Ifol
more pretentiOus in appearance and
better equipped for the educational work
undertaken. We want TO put the acade-
my upon a proper footing and one
which will take into consideration its
future needs. The plans which have
been prepared are but general aud have
much to be done in the way of cOmplet-
ing details, but they are made upon
proper lines and will furnish basis for
commencement Of 9he work. /"
Senators BecOn and Hale expressed
| themselves in a similar manner, while
the members af the House Committee
are equally determined that nothing
hJuld be left undOne to promote the
Development of tae academy.