The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-05
NEED COAL DEPOIS
Rear Admiral Bradford Submits a
Report Showing Needs Of
the Navy.
Advocates the Formation Of an Ad-
miralty Staff to Advise with
the Secretary.

b. . 3 . /. { \
Washington, Nov. 5.-Rear Admiral
r. B. Bradford, chief Of the bureau of
equipment of the navy department, In
his annual report to Secretary Moody
draws attention to the inefficiency OF
the coal depots in foreign waters for
naval use, but because Of the publicity
given to the report the matter Is not
discussed, owing to diplomatic consid-
erattons. It's stated, however. that 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 pro-
jected by the United States and the
second giving similar information con-.
corning Great Britain. Rear Admiral
Bradford directs attention to the maps
and concludes: "a comparison of the
two. is instructiVe.".
Coal for steaming purposes bought
during the year amounted to 4S7,036
TONS, costing s2,435,16S an average of
SIS ton. The bureau has made agree
ments in sixty-six foreign ports to
supply ships Of the navy with coal
to be delivered at current rates.
Surveys Are Needed
Comment is made on the great i'm
portance Of photographic surveys in
the Pacific ocean in order that the
large number Of, tmperfectly known
dangers to navigation may be defn-
itely located, or If non-existing, erased
from the charts. In reference to the
Philippines it is said that with the ex-
ception Of the ports Of this archipel-
ago which have been surveyed since
it's occupation by the United States, an
insignificant fraction Of the entire
area, there is scarcely a mile of water
expanse SO charted that it may be nay
igated with complete confidence. Rec
ommendation is made that in future
these surveys be prosecuted with
vigor.
The bureau reports that the com
mission appointed to consider the
question of transferring to the depart
ment Of commerce and labor the hy-
geographic office, the naval observa-
tory and the nautical almanac office,
has reached the conclusion that it
would be unwise to transfer these Of
fees from the jurisdiction Of the navy
department on account of their nau-
teal character and their indispensable
aid in preparing for war; The bureau
says it learns that it is proposed to
place these offices under civilian con-
troll and attach them to the secretary
office and adds:
! tention 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 an
earnest defense of the integrity of the
equipment bureau, the existence OF
which he declares, is threatened by
| the aggressiveness Of other bureaus.
He presents extended argument, en-
bodying quotations from various sec
retaries of the navy and other au-
thorities to show that it would be very
unwise to disturb the present organic
alton and he refers with some bitter
abolish the bureau.
] An Admiralty Staff.
On the subject Of an organization
| Of sea-going officers Of superior rank
Ito adviseTthe secretary Of the navy on
professional matters which had been
advocated for a number Of years, Rear
terial by what name the organization
is known but suggests that the desig-
nation Admiralty staff" seems ,ap-
propriate. He says that it should not
be so large as to be unwieldy and that
probably five members with a corps
Of assistants, would be sufficient, and
that it's duties should be clearly de-
fined and advisory only. The useful
ness and success of such an organiza-
ton, the report says, will depend alb
solutely upon its entire separation
from the bureaus, and no bureau chief
it says, should. be member. The blu.
reau recommends such a body to be
created and named by executive >au-
thority.
| In conclusion Admiral Bradford says