New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-28
NAvAL-TREASURY DISPUTE
QUESTION OF INsULAR SURVEYS WHICH
CONGRESS Is ASKED TO DgCIpE.
ley TELEGRAPH TO TIE rKIBvss,l


fey TELEGRAPH TO THE gRIBvSsl
washington. Feb. 21.-Congress has been ap-
pealed to by the Navy and Treasury depart
,nents to act as umpire in a radical diherence
of opinion regarding the surveys Of the new isi-
and possessions which may, however. broaden
.nte question OF whether the Coast and Geo.
oetic Survey shall absorb the Naval Hydro
graphic Office. or vice versa,
The American Navy has always been famous
fer IT'S ocean surveys. and its charts have been
made the standard all over the world, Ashore
for seventy years the Coast and Geodeto Sur
rey. under the Treasury Department, has
mapped most Of the coast line Of the United
States, assisted beyond the low water mark by
the naval surveyors. one survey ending and the
o.her beginning On principle where boats were
required fo- the work, Finally, the shore work
was pushed out to the limit OF twenty miles at
sea. ali the actual surveying. however. being
carried on by vessels commanded by naval off,
GERS. The Naval Photographic Office issued all
charts beyond the twenty-mile limit and the
Coast Survey ali charts within, until last year,
when by an Interpretation OF an appropriation
act which was not conclusive TO all concerned,
the Coast Survey extended its jurisdiction to
Puerto Rico and Hawaii The Navy, which had
long ago completed surveys of the Hawaiian
group, turned its attention TO Cuba, the Philip
work when the Treasury Department requested
Congress TO fit our the Coast Survey with
navy of its own, having uniformed officers, men
and ships TO do all the surveying in all the pos
sessions Of the United States This precp-
tated the appeal to Congress to consider the
whole matter of consolidating the two surveys
If they to duplicate each others work.
In 1891 The Secretaries of the Navy and the
Treasury after careful consideration reached
interests Of the Government demanded that the
Coast Survey should be transferred to the Navy
Department and urged Congress TO make the
change. Congress was busy with other matters,
and paid no attention TO the recommendation,
the Coast Survey having too much patronage at
its disposal every summer when college vacation
time makes so many young men available for
surveying the coasts Of New England, as we'll as
the Great Lakes and Alaska.
IN z letter sent 10 Chairman Cannon, of the
House Appropriation Committee on February B.
Secretary Long asserts that the Coast Survey is
exasperatingly deliberate, exorbitantly extrava-
CANT. and practically worthless to the seamen,
for whose benefit il is intended. After describ-
ing the enormous amount Of survey work
Gently accomplished by the Navy in all parts Of
the world. including the Nero's cable survey just
completed. Secretary Long continues:
Certain correspondence has recently passed be-
ment in reference survey work outside Of the
coast proper OF the United States. particularly with
reference to the duplication OF work 1t has been
proposed by this Department that the Coast
GeOdetic Survey should confne itself to the land
o. typographical work and the Navy TO the sea or
hydfographic work of our newly acquired posses
sioDs. ii is considered by this Department that
seamen are best adapted for work 1t is also
considered that nautical best prepared to
judge OF nautical requirements and of the informa
ton necessary TO be spread upon charts and maps
for the information of the mariner. In addition as
has already been pointed out, ships of the Navy
can combine surveying work with their regular du
ties, so that the matter Of cost is generally small.
As a result of the with Spain. the Navy is
sells suitable for surveying work. They are armed
and can therefore perform police work in addition
II necessary. Their presence IN possessions
VIII be required for indefinite time. and the
personnel Of their crews is fully equipped 10 make
photographic surveys. This work will be promptly
executed by them and the navigation of CONNER
cal and naval ships In these regions safeguarded
The Navy has incentive prolong surveying
duty The cost of the Charleston. the loss of which
tire survey of the Philippines by the naval vessels
Il viii thus be that the necessary military
pense would also cover the civil cost embraced in
the appropriations for the Coast Survey establish
The TronnI9t exerytio IF his yor is al tyopor+ant
should be done by that branch of the public
Navy 1''''e' '''''~- now CO - '-' past 'i''
For more than sixty years the Navy has done all
surveying outside Of the limits of the United States
owned by the Navy, with trained officers and men,
economy prompt results and good administration
should be continued The navies of all other mari
time nations have charge Of their photographic
work; there is no exception TO this rule. 1t is the
result or long years OF experience is sound in
theory and practice and constitutes in itself safe
guide for our Government.
The work own Eastern and Western coasts
Is not yet completed by the Coast and Geodetic Sur
vey after an active existence of over seventy
years, although aided in every way by the Navy.
me coast lire Of the new possessions is longer and
more difficult TO survey. The Government also be-
comes a great gamer by the experience obtained
by us officers in doing this work. which would in
time OF war, prove Of untold value TO the country