The evening times., 1899-12-20

the improvements are very necessary. and
1t is believed that Congress will authorize
them.
The more important of these are as fol-
| lows:
THE Bureau of Ordnance desires the
| erection of building for its purposes on
the site now occupied by buildings used by
| the board of labor employment, yards and
and docks, plumbers and tin shop, furni-
| ture repair room, etc. That bureau also
needs the entire building called the pat
| tern shop, of which the department OF
yards of docks now occupies the greater
portion. In order that these accommoda-
| tions may be afforded to the Bureau OF
Ordnance il will be necessary to provide
building for the general purposes OF yards
and docks. An appropriation for this work
is requested which shall be large e.sD;gh
| to make the building fireproof in construc-
tiOn.
1T is desirable that store No. / be ex-
tended distance of 63 feet, to provide ad-
ditional quarters for the force Of seamen
guErers at the yard.
"A comparatively small portion Of the
streets and avenues of this yard is paved.
and considerable areas are not yet brought
up to grade with proper reference to that
Public improvements have been construct
ed in the western portion Of the yard. and
il is important to facilitate traffic, as well
as sanitary measure, that it be properly
graded and surfaced with good pave
ment
The overheard wires in the yard have
multiplied to a great extent, and it is ex-
pected that they will be still further in
creased when electric driving in ships wi
hs lie
desirable that these wires be placed under
ground, and il is proposed to construct I'M
derground conduits to receive all existing
circuits. AS extensions to the eXisting
circuits are being made constantly. it is
desired TO inaugurate this system at once.
More Aren Needed.
An increase in the area of this navy
yard has frequently been recommended. as
it was seen that its growth in the way of
public improvements was bringing near
the time when. as at present BOUNDED, ii
would be too small for the work OF the
service here. The time has arrived when
it is exceedingly desirable that additional
area be added to the yard. and the neei
of more room is constantly realized. 1t is
hoped that Congress will authorize the
purchase of the lands in blocks Nos. S26
S27 S53, and S54. containing an aggregate
of 334, $50 square feet lying TO the west OF
the yard. The purchase of these lots should
be accompanied with a cession OF the land
in the streets belonging 10 the United
States The estimate of the cost OF the
land in the blocks is based upon price OF
40 cents per square foot, but it is recon-
mended that authority be given to insti-
tute condemnation proceedings in the event
that purchase cannot be made directly ar
reasonable cost.
AN appropriation was made for a new
roof for the pattern shop, and other re-
pairs were contemplated under the same
appropriation, but not including firepf oof
floors. 1t is thought better, in the recon
structiou of this building. to make it
measurably fireproof and, construct ,the
floors more substantially than thoze orig
inally contemplated, and less liable 10
damage from fire.
Water Service UnsRttsfnctOry.
THE present heating plant is of an old
and obsolete pattern, and inefficient and
it is considered more economical TO estab-
lish a new plant than 10 make extensive
repairs to the present one. Besides, the
pre- posed extension Of store No. l. else
where mentioned. would necessitate taking
down the present boilerhouse. II is propos-
ed TO erect new building in portion OF
the yard better adapted 10 the successful
operation Of the system.
There are no provisions at this navy
yard tor storing the large amount OF coal
used so as to be protected from the wealth
er. and there are no appliances for hand
ling coal with despatch and economy. II
is important for various reasons that the
coal should be received and properly stor-
ed and so kept that ii can be readily dis
tribu.ed.
for fire ira AT
yard is not satisfactory. and on more than
one occasion when fires have occurred the
supply has not been sufficient. This is due
partly to the fact that the water pressure
in this part of the District is low, and TO
the further fact that the yard has system
of small pipes only four inches in diameter.
1t would be great advantage to lay down
system taking the water for fire pur-
poses from the river. but on account OF
its filthiness, much of the sewage Of the
city floating in it. il will be many years
before this can be made fit source of sup
ply for any purpose. With the funds here
by asked it is proposed to lay down in the
yard a system of mains. hydrants, etc,
which shall be ample for supplying water
to steam fire engines in case OF fire.
Some further equipment in the way Of
hose carriage and hose. fire extinguishers.
automatic sprinklers inside the buildings,
and proper nre alarm system is pro-
posed When the tunnel to the Howard
University reservoir shall be completed
and a twenty-inch main laid from East
Capitol Stree: to the yard, for which pro-
vision should be made. there will be an
ample supply of water. ana the system of
protection inside the yard will be suffi-
ciently large for all present purposes and
any that may be necessary with a further
extension OF the yard to the westward.
The Bureau of Ordnance has requested
that several buildings be erected to en-
large the capacity of the Naval Gun Fac
tory and facilitate its work there. They
are as follows:
"A miscellaneous workshop is wanted to
the large amount OF misce!- |
laneous work which the gun factory Is
called upon TO do, and which seriously Ir-
terferes with the routine work Of the gun |
carriage shop. and renders it necessary to |
keep it working at night.
The Bureau of Ordnance is practically