Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-29
YARDS AND DOCKS.
Recommendations of the Chief of the
Bureau.

Washington. Nov. 2S.-I.car Admiral
NJ. T. Endicott. chief of the bureau OF
yards and docks. in his annual report
to the Secretary of the Navy. says that
the efficiency of the navy yards and
stations has been materially increased
by the improvements added during the
year. although much yet remains to be
done to place them in condition tn
eXDeditiously and economically handle
the work dcvolVing on them. AS the
number and size of the navy yards
and stations increase it becomes neces-
Sary. he says, to make larger allUt-
ments for their maintenance, and for
I he repair of existing structures The
expenditures during the year from ap-
preparations under cOgnizance of the
bureau, aggregated 1851 $50. of which
amount $5SiG,6s9 was for works Of
improvements specifically provided for
by Congress. The balance sI.71O. 800
was applied to the maintenance and
repair OF nay yards and stations. civil
establishment. contingencies. etc.
1t is reported that the new dry docks
at Portsmouth and Boston are COM
pleted and will serve the government
Tor great many years, without de-
terloratlon. Satisfactory progress is
reported on the dock at League Island.
with prospects Of its completion by
October next Conditions at Norfolk
'hd th@rlcstnn are declared to be only
fair. In both cases the bureau is
heeping the contractors reminded of
heir obligations ana urging them to
make every effort to hasten the com
pletion of the docks. -dnqiral E,ndi-
colt says that the additional land ac-
qIired for the Norfolk navy ward will
"f much benefit. The navy yard at
New York is much crowded and Adj
mlral Endicott says the same action
VIII soon be necessary to prevent seri-
~; CONGESTION here. Because Of un-
satisfactory progress on the new dock
90 '"re Island. cal, the original con-
tract was annulied and new ono
M" which allows twenty-fCur
months for completing the dock Il
: expected That the steel floating dock
intended for the naval station at
Cavite will be ready for test next
spring. Little has been done in the
raE of permanent improvements at
the insular stations.
The difficulty in sccul ing prompt de-
livery Of structural steel meeting gov
"rnment Inspection. Admiral Endicott
says. still continues to delay the con-
Struction of buildings and other i'm
provemcnts requiring such material
Delays were due also, he says. to the
lack of officers in the Corps of Engi-
neers and to the difficulty of securing
Competent craftsmen.
The estimates made by the bureau
for the navy yards and stations for the
next fiscal year. aggregate $t.SA5.615. Of
which S. 1Si. 03oE.re for public improve
| nents. The principal item Of the cs-
Inmates is that for improving the
water front at the navy yard, New
York. An item of 100000 is sub
United for continuing the construction
It the dry dock at Guantanamo. An
item submitted for masonry dry
dock ut the naval station. San Juan.
10 cost 81 $50 600 An estimate is also
submitted for beginning another dry
! dock al the navy yard, Boston, to cost
$500. 600.
The bureau reneWS its recommended
ton made in previous reports that a
board Of officers be appointed to con-
slider a site for naval station Oh the
south Pacific coast.
Admiral t.udicutt calls attention to
the fact that the pay of the corps of
civil engineers is one of the smallest
in tn" naval service bestowed upon
commissioned officers. and says. it is
Inadequate for the character of ser
vice rendered. besides comparing un-
favolably with that obtaining in civil
| life. He recommends that COM
mutation Of quarters be allowed to the
Corps Of Engineers, and that the tech
meal shore duty corps. including the
civil engineer corps. be granted the
pay and allowances established by law
for naval constructors and assistant
naval constructors. An enactment Of
the latter kind he said. would be in the
direction OF equaliZing the pay or
officers, and remove serious discrimi-
nation which has long existed.
In special charter regarding the
Washington navy yard it is shown
that the expenditures for labor and
materials during the past fiscal year
amounted TO 1891 ,o55. Of which amount
s237. 44S We're for yard improvements.
The estimates for the coming nscai
year total 1913 220. the principal items
being: $4,000 to complete building lor
electric power plant extension $oz,ooV
for locomotive and crane house. s4'.
900 for a fireproof model storage puiio-
ing: $40. 320 for steel timber sneo' ara
$25 coo to extend the water System.
Smaller estimates are made TO eNtei'u
the systems of fire protection. ralFoau,
underground conduit, heating anu
paving.