Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-05
COAL FOR THE NAVY
Inefficiency Of the System OF
Foreign Depots.
SURVEYS OF PACIFIC
SUGGESTIONS AS TO THE PROPoS-
ED ADMIRALTY STAFF.
Annual Report Of Rear Admiral Brad.
ford, Chief Of Bureau Of Equipment
Navy Yard and Observatory.

Rear Admiral R. B. Bradford, chief of the
bureau of equipment of the Navy Depart
ment, in his annual report to Secretary
Moody draws attention to the ineficiency
of the system of coal depots for naval use
In foreign waters, which subject is not DIS
cussed owing to diplomatic considerations.
1t is stated, however, that no progress has
been made during the last year toward IN
creasing the number of stations. In con-
nection with the subject 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 Brit
ain Rear Admiral Bradford directs at
tention TO the maps, and remarks: "A COM
parison Of the two is Instructive.
Coal purchased for steaming purposes
during the year amounted to 4S7 .036 tons,
costing 81. ABS, 1887. an average of S. a ton.
or 16 per cent less a ton than during the
preceding year. The bureau has made
agreements in sixty-six foreign ports to
supply ships of the navy with coal at less
than current rates.
Surveys Of the Pacific.
Attention is called to the great impor-
lance of photographic surveys in the Pa
cific ocean, in order that the large number
of imperfectly known dangers to navigation
ing, erased from the charts. In reference to
the Philippines 1t is said. with the excep ton
of the portions of that archipelago which
have been surveyed since its occupation by
the United States. an insignificant fraction
of the entire area, there is scarcely nile
of water eXpanse so charted that it may be
navigated with complete confidence Inc
suggestion is made that in future these
surveys be prosecuted with vigor
l. The bureau reports that the commission
appointed to consider the question of trans
ferring to the Department of Commerce and
Labor the photographic office the naval
observat tory and the Nautical Almanac Of
flee has reached the conclusion that it
would be unwise to transfer these offices
from the jurisdiction of the Navy Depart
ment account of their nautical char
acter and their Indispensable aid in pre-
pairing for war. The bureau says 1t learns
that it is proposed to place these offices I'M
der civilian control and attach them to the
Secretary's office. and adds: The reasons
assigned for their retention in the Navy
Department would appear to be equally
good for retention under the administration
of a sea going combatant officer"
Admiral Bradford devoteS one of the
longest chapters of his report to earnest
defense of the integrity of the equipment
bureau, the existence of which de declares
is threatened by the aggressiveness of other
bureaus. Therefore he presents an extended
argument embodying quotations from yari-
Gus Secretaries of the Navy and other au-
thorfties to show that 1t would be very I'M
wise to disturb the present OrRanlZ9uOD,
and he refers with some bitterness to the
promotion of efforts to do away with the
bureau.
Proposed Admiralty Staff.
Concerning an organization of sea-going
officers of superior rank to advise the Sec
rotary of the Navy on professional matters.
which has been advocated for number
of years, Rear Admiral Bradford says 1t is
not material by what name the organization
is known. but suggests that admiralty
staff" seems appropriate. He says that it
should not be so large as to be unwieldy
and that probably five members, with
corps of assistants, would be sufficient, and
that it's duties should be clearly defined
and advisory only. 1t is declared that the
usefulness and success Of such an organiza-
ton depends absolutely upon its entire sep
aration from the bureaus. and that no bu-
reau chief should be a member. The bu-
reau recommends such a body to be Gre
ated by executive authority, and the men,
bers named in the same manner.
Admiral Bradford says that after an ex-
perence of six years in the department he
believes that 1t is the administration of the
department that needs attention, rather
than its organization. particularly in the
direction of expenditure of money, and In
combining the subordinates of the depart
ment to their legitimate duties.
The Pacific Cable
Admiral Bradford says it is a matter of
congratulation that an efficient trans-Pa-
cific cable Is in operation from San Fran
cisco to Manila with relay stations located
only on American territory, and he adds
that the relations between the department
and the cable company are very satisfac-
tory. The bureau invites attention to the
necessity of providing means Of defense at
the three intermediate cable stations be-
tween the eastern and western possessions
of the United States, namely, at Honolulu,
Midway Islands and the Island of Guam.
Reviewing the work of the photographic
office Admiral Bradford invites attention to
the fact that the work of the photographic
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