The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-06
PRESSING NEED
OF COAL 0EP0TS
Keynote Of the Report Of Rear
Admiral Bradford.
SURVEYS IN PACIFIC OCEAN
ADVISORY BOARD FOR sECRE-
TARY OF THE NAVY.

Washington. Nov. 5-Rear Admiral
y. r. Bradford chief Of the bureau Of
equipment OF the navy department in
his annual report to Secretary Moody
draws attention to the ineficiency Of
the coal depots in foreign waters for
naval use. but because OF the publicity
fiven to- the report the matter is not
discussed owing TO diplomatic cousid-
erations. It is stated. however ths-
no progress has been made during the
last year toward increasing the NUM-
Der Of stations. In connection with
the subject Of naval coal depots. two
maps of the world are submitted, the
first showing the coal depOts built
building or projected by the United
states. and the second giving similar
Information concerning Great Britain.
Rear Admiral Bradford directs atten-
ton TO the maps ara concludes. "A
comparison OF the tu is instructive.
Coal for steamine opposes bought
during the year amounted 20 4SG036
tons. costing 2.435 les. an average of s.
q ton. The bureau has made agree
ments in siXty-six foreign ports to sup
ply ships of the United States navy
with coal below current rates.
Need Of Surveys.
Comment is made on the great inn
portanCe Of photographic surveys in
the Pacific ocean i'm order that the
large number of imperfectly known
dangers TO navigation may be definite
ly located. or. if nOn-eXisting. erased
from the charts. In reference to the
Philippines it Us said that with the eX-
ception of the ports of this archipelago
which have been surveyed since the
occupation by the United States. an
Insignificant fraction of the area. there
is scarcely mile Of water cNpanse so
charted that it may be navigated with
complete confidence. Recommendation
IS made that I'm future these surveys
be prosecuted with vigor.
The bureau reports that the commission
appointed 20 consider the question oi
transferring to the department of COM
merce ana labor office the naval ObserN-
et0ry and the nautical almanac Office mas
reached the conclusion that it would be
unWlse TO transfer these offices from the
jurisdiction of the navy department ON
their Indispensable aid in preparing for
war The bureau says 10 learns that II Us
civilian control and attach them to the
secretary office anc duds.
THE reasons assigned for their reten-
tiou in the navy department would APP
pear to be equally good for retention I'M
der the administration of sea-soing
comDatant office.
Equipment Bureau.
Admiral Bradford devotes one of the
longest chapters Of his report Go an earn
est defense of the integrity of the equip
mD1t bureau. the existence OF which. ne
declares. is threatened by the aggressive
ness OF other bureaus. He presents cN-
tended argument. cmbodyiug quotations
from various secretaries of the navy AND
other authorities. Co show that 10 would
hc very unWlse 90 disturb the present or
sanitation and hc refers with similar Bit
teruess Go the promotion of efforts O.
abolish the bureau.
on the subject OF an organization OF
eee-eoins officers of superior rank to nd
wise the secretary OF the navy on pro
1esEi0ual matters which have been advo
Gated for number of years Rear Ad-
mirui Bradford says 10 is not material by
what name the organization is known,
but suggests that the designation 'ai-
I1.rlItr stsff seems appropriate. He
SAYS that 90 should not Doe SO large as o.
be unwieldy and that probably five meg
with corps of assistants would be SUI
fiCieut. and that its duties should b'
clearly defined ard advisory only. Tbs
bureau recommends that such body Do
created and named by executive author
fly.
I'm conclusion Admiral Bradford saws
THAI after am experience Of six years iI
the department. he believes that ia Is the
administration OF the department that
needs attention rather than fits 0rgauiza-
riuu particularly in the direction Of th-
expenditure OF money and I'm confinlus
the subordiuates of the department q
their legitimate duties.