The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-06
|NSULAR SURVEY QUESTION.
DISCUSSION BY COMMITTEE As TO
WHO SHOULD HAVE CHARGE.
Navy Department VIII he Asked to
show what Work Ii Is Doing
Formerly Had Charge. but SPAN
fish War Took officers Away.

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer
WASHINGTON, April 6-There was
very lively and well attended meeting of
the coast and insular survey committee
the other day. when the question as TO
who should have charge OF insular sur
yeys was discussed. The very energetic
Admiral Bradford was present, represent
ing Secretary Long. OF the navy depart
ment. Director Charles ID. Wolcott. OF
the geological survey. represented HIS de-
partment and DR.. Henry Pritchett ap-
peared on behalf OF the geodetic survey.
After a lengthy discussion Il was finally
agreed that Senator Foster. the chair
man OF the committee, should introduce
a resolution in the senate asking the ma
Wy department to set forth what work IL
was doing in the matter OF insular sur
yeys. This resolution VIII he prepared at
once and introduced Admiral Bradford
was very earnest in his declaration that
the navy department should be allowed to
participate In these surveys. He claimed
that the department was well equipped
for the work. and that any vessel in the
service could, with the addition OF $1,000
worth OF special instruments perform the
most difficult photographic work. This
work also, he said, was an experience Of
great value to the officers, and that there
fore. at least. previous to ID year and
half ago. all photographic and geodetie
surveys were carried on under the control
of officers Of the navy. During the Span
ish-American war these officers had to be
recalled, and he thought the coast and ge-
odetc survey had experienced some trou-
BILE therefrom. DR.. Pritchett replied i'm
mediately that his department had gotten
along very nicely without the naval off,
GERS, but he was very sorry to have 10
lose them. He also stated that the hydro
graphic and insular survey work could
be more easily done by the coast and ge-
odetic survey than In any other way. En-
gland had found by experience that the
better way TO have surveys of this nature
done was by civilian bureau. While he
conceded that 1t was right and proper for
the coast and geodetic survey TO use the
services and assistance OF the navy, vet
1t was very expensive experience TO
turn over the work of the coast and geo.
detic survey to another department. 1t
was mere incident" he said. of the
work Of the navy department to partici-
rate in geodetlc surveys
Navy Officers QuaIiaed.
Admiral Bradford replied that the Off
GERS Of the navy were by education and
experience well qualified 10 do all sorts Of
photographic surveying. The navy depart
ment has a number Of yachts and other
vessels that can he used in this service and
he felt that the naval officers should lie
given the experience 10 be derived from
making surveys.
Or. Pritchett stated he had no objection
whatever to having the navy deparim ant
participate in the work and render assist
ance where II could but he did not deem Il
wise to turn over the work Of the coas,
and geodetic survey to the navy depart
mcnt.
Senator Perkins suggested that Il might
be well for the three, the geological. the
coast and geodetc and the navy deplrs-
ment to decide what legislation they desired
in the premises Or Pritchott stated mis-
department did not need any legislation a.
u had already been authorized 70 extend
us work To The new possessions Of the
United states
Admiral Bradford desired that the atten-
tion OF Senator Foster chairman of the
committee. be specifically directed 20 the
permanent work OF the navy department
In photographic surveys aud that Il had
charge Of the photographic work now done
by the coast and geOderic peorle Dr.
Pritchett then asked the admiral II II were
not true that II the navy department pAo-
pie would apply themselves to coasts and
harbors in foreign countries they would nor
have all the work they could do and ell
the experience they desired. Admiral Brad
ford replied In the negative, the department
had no authority 10 make surveys in for
eign countries and had to secure authority
through the state department. Bes d-s re
considered the coast ana geodetic suryev
had important work TO do IN surveying ihs
coasts OF the United States including Alaska
and. that previous to a year ago a few
words were inserted into the law sfvtur
the coast and geodetic survey the right ~
extend rs work to tho new possessions {
the United States and chat u was general
~ understood that this meant the coasts
ana hnrhors OF the United States. Tho navy
department he said did not desire u tou~,
upon the coasts Of the United States 1nt
wished 20 continue its work IN foreign VAT
eTs and IN the new pnsseasions
Senator Perkins created a laugh nv saw
ing tnht the senate had cndeavored very
earnestly To- find out what We're the new
possessions 81 the United States ana
where It's coasts extended He also sald
a number Of vessel owners on the Pacific
coast we're finding unknown rocks and
other obstacles In the way OF navigation
iu Alaskan waters by having their boats
wrecked upon them.
Chairman Foster asked Director VOL
make and In rcnjy Mr woic" tP '' stated
that survey % the Topographic and geo
logical features Of tho island OF cube
should he made az once bui when aeked
paid Tor hv tho I'ultcd States rcniied ir
tho negative. assuring Senator Foster that
such expense should come from the rove
nues ~ me island He also stared tbaf
geological survey should be made la
Puerto Rico and w tho other island pos
sessions ~ the country
surveys Have Bcen Incorrect
Daring the meeting 1t developed taat
the surveys that had been heretofore
made were very misleading and irrccu-
rate. koth Admiral Bradford and DE-
Fyitchett agreed upon this point ana
both urged Immediate action On preparing
uew surveys including Manila bay
Admiral Bradford stated that the navy
dcpar ment had asked tor $3.50 ~ Tor use
tn this work and was now c4uiuping four
vessels for tbc Philippines 20 30 survey
Ing and addiuE Co each vessel s. 90 worth
% necessary Instruments lie stated thf
department had np time 60 stop ans dts
cuss who shUsld 90 The work bat THAI s.
was absolutely necessary g. go ahead ant
da Sc. He stated that ~ had been an
gagged tn nav cation for forty wears aua
duflne thut time had applied himself as.
sl40nDsi} t4 fhe work and De felt thAt
utn Who CAV" their lives Go such WorE
arva uicrg campcftnt 10 make hydro
Era ptic surveys Than men no matter h6u
.ai ctUtntn3 they were who bad not
1re So Or Py,tchett immediately re-
3ef that he believed that men no rava
Hetr lives ta navigation were mot a. VEL
EuRHhRi Co Dc the work of surveyars az
Nerc Tho men whose lives We're spent
the latter hlrlueeE. That was the reaaar
re etatsd. why 20 was found hv England
and either countries that civilians. Who
werC experts tn the work should have
charge ~ hydruErnnhtc charting
Al agreed that the various surveys