Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-23
FOR The NAVAL GUN FACTORY
OFFICIALS URGE
LIBERAL APPROPRIATION.
Maintenance Of High Standard Of
Excellence-Proposed Increased
Pay for Clerical Force.

Rear Admiral Mason, chief of the bu-
reau of ordnance, Navy Department.
joins with Rear Admiral Hollyday, chief
of the bureau of yards and docks, in
recommending liberal appropriations for
improving and developing the gun fac
tory at the Washington navy yard. In
his annual report. made public today.
Admiral Mason says that the work of
this important establishment has main
tanned the high standard of excellence
to which attention was called in my re-
port of last year. The output of the
establishment has covered wide range,
from guns of the largest caliber, with
their mounts and accessories, to the MI
mute details of primers. firing locks and
Other similar fittings. including sights.
breech mechanisms. electric firing attach
ments. gas electors, etc. In addition to
the work on guns. mounts etc, a very
successful type of submerged torpedo
tube has been developed and manufac-
tured. Important improvements in build
1ngs have been carried out and con-
siderable amount of new machinery has
been installed"
The total expenditures on account OF the
gun factory during the past year were
s9o6l,5 9s. and the value of the finished
products in excess of the expenditures
was 1880, 1913. Admiral Mason says that
great deal of progress has been made
toward clearing up and sending out to
service or to the different navy yards and
stations as eXpedtiously as practicable
the many articles authorized by the bu-
reau to be manufactured. He recon-
mends increased compensation to the cler-
icai force at the gun factory and a spe-
cial appropriation to cover the expenses
for holidays, leave, etc.
In Time of War.
Several improvements are recommended
by Admiral Mason as absolutely neces-
sary ito make the gun factory, especially
in time of war. as nearly self-contained
as possible" The principal of these Inn
provements is new foundry and foundry
yard. for which estimate of s3OO17O is
submitted. and machinery, cupolas. fur
naces. etc. for new foundry, for which
an estimate of S121.07j is submitted
The present foundry. Admiral Mason
says. lis antiuuated and entirely made
quate in size and unsuitable as foundry
for such an institution as the naval gun
factory. 1t is a menace to the health of
the employees and the officers resident in
the yard in it's present situation. The
loss to the government every year by not
having better facilities in this regard
would soon equal the amount requested to
properly provide for this portion of the
gun factory. and its increased products
would materially aid in the output of the
armament from our shops. saving both in
time and expense. 1t is the most needed
of all improvements recommended and il
is urged that every effort be made to Sc
cure a suitable appropriation for the
starting of this much-needed improve.
ment. At present, in case of hostile emer-
gency. the requirements of the gun fac
tory could not be met. and the govern
ment would be embarrassed by not having
suitable facilities for getting out foundry
work.
Other estimates are submitted as fol-
lows: For purchase and erection of new
and improved machinery for existing
shops, S1jOOO0; for remodeling 110-ton
crane in the north gun shop, $4,000: ma
chinery for locomotive house, $4,000;
building for locomotive and crane house.
S61,I4I: coal storage apparatus, $50. 900;
quay wall. $4,000; freproof storehouse,
$780, land for eastern extension of
yard along water front. SOL $40: concrete
roof for ordnance foundry building, S1O,-
600, and sheet piling quay wall. SS5,S0O.
Purchase of Additional Land.
of additional land for the navy yard Ad-
miral Mason says:
This is a matter that must be settled
during the coming session of Congress, as
within one year all grade crossings in the
District of Columbia are to be abolished.
The present track is located so that it
cannot be made to enter the yard above
or below grade. Therefore. If an act cam
not be passed allowing this track to re-
main another entrance must be sought.
and this will entail the expense as esti-
mated above. while the former would not.
If the railroad should come in the yard
| by the eastern side think it would be to
| the best interests of the government to
| buy the two waterfront blocks mos. 800
| and 979) just east of the yard. for should
| the railroad company get possession OF
| the water front it would be lost to the
| government. which could not then obtain
| it without an enormous expense. and it Is
| certain that in the future this water front
will be needed by the yard.
1.-The price asked for this land is $751;
| ST. but l think it can be gotten much
| cheaper by condemnation proceedings. 1t
| will, of course. be necessary to work with
| the District Commissioners and the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company in this mat
| ter, but it is of/vital Importance that 1t
should be settled without delay. Without
| a railroad running into the yard our ex-
penses would be enormously Increased. IL
| it would not cripple the gun factory en-
| tirely. The importance of this railroad
| connection will be realized from the fact
| that during the last fiscal year 3JS car
| loads of finished products were shipped
| by this means and a much larger amount
| of stores and raw material Including
| 40 600 tons of coaD received, amounting to
| 2,31O carloads