Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-14
NAVAL GUN FOUNDRY
SPECIAL REPORT SUBMITTED BY
REAR ADMIRAL MASON.

In a special report in regard to the
naval gun foundry at the Washington
navy yard, Rear Admiral Mason, chief of
the naval bureau of ordnance, says that
the work at that most important ordnance
establishment has continued to increase
in efficiency under the present manage
ment, and the delays in delivery Of ord
nance material for installation on ships
building are rapidly decreasing. 1t is
hoped in the near future that the batteries
of the new vessels will all be delivered at
the works of the ship contractors in am
pie time for installation prior to final
completion.
During the fiscal year the Office work
at the navy yard increased about 10 per
cent over the volume of the previous fiscal
year.
The total shipments from the yard, ex-
the naval proving grounds amounted to
20,611,127 pounds, being an increase of
10,442, 66S pounds over the previous fiscal
year.
Admiral Mason fully concurs in num-
Der of improvements at the gun foundry
recommended by the superintendent which,
he says, are absolutely essential to make
the gun factory, especially in time of war,
as nearly possible, self-contained.- The
admiral submits an estimate of 100000
for new foundry and foundry yard which,
he says, are Indispensable for the econ
omy of the plant.
Anticipated and Inadequate.
''The present foundry" he says, us an
tiquated and inadequate in size and I'M
suitable as a foundry for an institution
like the naval gun factory. On account Of
its insanitary condition it is menace
to the health of the employees and officers
of the yard in its present situation. The
government losses every year by not hav-
ing better facilities would soon equal the
amount requested to properly provide for
all the requirements of this portion of
the plant and its increased product would
materially add to the production of arma-
ment by this factory. saving in both time
and expense. At the present time the
yard foundry is working up to it's extreme
capacity, and in case of war the emery
ency conditions could not be met. We are
now practically at standstill on account
OF our inability to obtain castings due on
existing acquisitions"
The principal other estimates submitted
are $290,000 for fireproof general store
house; $l5O,OOO for the purchase and erec-
ton of new and improved machinery; $780,
coo for quay wall, and $161,S72 for the
purchase of blocks 955 and 979 for eastern
extension of yard along the water front
to connect with the railroad tracks,
In connection with the large amount of
work at this gun factory, Admiral Mason
says he deems it necessary to call atten-
ton to the large sums annually expended
from the bureaus working appropriat ton
for holidays, leave ETC., for employees.
This expenditure he says, increases the
cost of material, placing the gun factory
and the government works at a decided
disadvantage when competing with outside
manufacturers as regards prices, ETC. Adj
miral Mason submits an itemized state
ment on this point, which, he says, shows
that in round numbers 100000 will be
non-productive in the coming year, and
which has to be taken out of the current
appropriations. That is not far from
81 200 for each working day in the wear.