Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-23
DAILY kENNEBEC JOURNAL SATURDAY OCTOBER % 1897.
HAasoR AND RIVER IMPROVE nemrs.
Report Of Engineers Made The Proposed
System Of Forilflcailons.

| OySl0m u 60rIlucau0nS.
Washington, Oct. 21.-The report OF
Gen. Wilson, chief Of the engineers OF
| the army, has been submitted to the
secretary of war.
Gen. Wilson says that during the ifs
cal year ending June 30, 1897, there was
expended on river and harbor improve
ments $13, 461, 1895. For the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1899, his estimates are:
| Continuous work authorized by Con-
gress, $18,S76,0O7.
For other works not provided for by
continuing contracts, $29,458,153.
Among the principal estimates are
the following in Maine: Lubec channel,
| $4,000; Bar Harbor breakwater, $780,
| 900; Sullivan Falls harbor, $4,000;
Union river, $4,000; Rockland harbor,
$410,500; Carver's harbor, $4,000; Port
land harbor, $45O,O0O.
On the subject of Notifications the
report says: The system of sea coast
defences now in progress Of construc-
ton is based upon the report Of the
board of fertilization and other de-
fences. appointed by the President un-
der the provisions of the act of March
3, 1885. The report of this board, gen.
orally known as the Endicott board,
was published in 1886.
Under instructions from the chief of
engineers dated March 20, 1857, the
board of engineers undertook the study
and preparation of detailed projects for
the artillery and submarine mine de-
fence of the principal sea and lake
ports of the United States. Up to the
present time projects have been pre-
pared and have received the approval
of the secretary Of war for the follow
ing ports viz: Penobscot river, Maine:
Kennebec river, Maine; Portland, Me;
Portsmouth, n. H.: Boston, Mass:
New Bedford, Mass; Narragansett
Bay, X. l.; eastern entrance to Long Is
land sound; New York, n. Y; Phila-
delphia, Pa; Baltimore. Md: Wash
ington, d. c.; Hampton Roads. Va;
Wilmington. N. c.; Charleston, S. c.;
Savannah Ga; Key West. TIA; Pen
sacola, Fla; Mobile. Ala. New VI
leans. La; Galveston. Texas; San
Diega. Cal; San Francisco. Cal;
Mouth Of Columbia river. Washington
and Oregon: Puget sound. Washing
ton: Lake Champlain. n. Y. Projects
under consideration.
The great range of modern nigh
power guns compels the establishment;
of defensive lines at distances from the
cities and harbors considerably great
er than heretofore deemed necessary
At many harbors the sites of the older
type works are at distances from the
objects to be protected, insufficient to
admit of proper defence under mod
ern conditions. At other harbors, the
older sites, when otherwise suitable.
are too small TO accommodate the mod
ern defences.
The acquisition of suitable sites has
therefore. been a necessary feature of
the construction of the modern system
of sea coast defences. During the pas
fiscal year title has been obtained to
sites at Portland. Me-; eastern entrance
to Long Island sound; Baltimore;
Charleston, S. c.: Key West. Fla;
Galveston. San Diego. Cal. and Puge;
Sound. Wash. Negotiations are still
in progress for sites at Portland. Me.
Boston. Mass. Narragansett Bay. L.
L.. eastern entrance TO Long Island
sound. Key West, Fla, Galveston, Tex
and Puget Sound, Wash.
All available funds for the purchase
OF sites for sea coast defences have |
been pledged. A number of important !
sites still remain to be acquired to car
ry out the approved projects and |
should be secured as promptiy as pos
sible, so that no delays may be exper |
fenced in the construction of the en-
placements when funds become avail |
able. An appropriation of sovv, 900 is |
earnestly required to continue the pur.
chase of necessary sites.
Congress has authorized the contrast
system in work in Notifications, but I
is not approved by Gen. Wilson, who
says: The contract system in its ap
plication to Notifications is open t.
grave objections. chief amongst which
is the undue publicity necessarily Civ
en- to the plans to enable intending
bidders to submit proposals intelli-
gently. The character of the work is
such that perfect freedom to introduce
changes during the construction is eX-
tremely desirable. freedom that is
seriously hampered by the existence
of contract. A comparison of the
results accomplished during the past
fiscal year between the contract and
hired labor system shows that the lat
ter is in every way superior, being
more rapid, satisfactory and equally
economical. A continuance of the con-
tract system in connection with the
construction of Notifications cannot
be recommended