Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-16

already promised is to get the harbor
on the navigators' charts. The estab-
lishment of a branch photographic Of
flee will accomplish this, and will at
tract attention to the progress in de-
velopment of the harboF among navi-
gators and others interested in ship
ping in all parts of the world.
There are now but three branch Of
fees on the Pacific coast, San Fran
cisco, Portland and Port Townsend.
and the increasing Importance of COM
merce in the Pacific waters makes the
establishment of another nearer the
Panama canal desirable. If Los An
geleS does not move for it the office
will go to San Diego.
In addition to supplying mariners and
insurance men with a vast amount of
indispensable information, the branch
photographic office is at the service
of business men and other citizens
in an invaluable manner. Whether the
inquirer desires to know the greatest
depth in the ocean, the steam vessel
tracks and great circle routes, how to
determine how the north pole can be
located, or more technical information
about azimuth or chart work, the Of
| ficer In charge can furnish the cor
rect answer, and his data and services
are always available to all citizens.
In line with this the time ball, which
may be obtained in, connection with
the branch photographic office, is of
great value in establishing correct
time, not only to mariners through
time ball at the harbor, but legally
and in general way by another in
| the business center of Los Angeles.
! A statement from the photographic
! office at Washington gives the follow
| ing information about the branch Of
flee, which would apply at San Pedro:
"These offices are supplied with out
fits of navigational charts, sailing d.
rections, nautical publications neces-
sary in navigation and with naviga-
| tional instruments; the publications
mentioned all being kept corrected to
date by the official in charge. These
! offices are practically bureaus of in
formation. The officials in charge re-
ceive and distribute information, visit
| ing all incoming vessels for this pur-
pose, and hold themselves ready to
examine charts from any vessel, veri-
/ flying the same or pointing out neces-
sary corrections, examining and cor
recting instruments, explaining nautt-
cal subjects and in every way possible
| giving aid to mariners and thus pro-
noting the safety of life and property
! at sea. If a vessel of any nation leaves
a port in which there is a branch
/ photographic Office with incorrect
/ charts, sailing directions, or with in
correct instruments, it is the fault of
the master or commanding officer
The Importance attached to the work
OF the photographic office by maritime
interests and others allied with them
naturally gives an Importance to the
ports where branch photographic Of
fees are located, and this would apply
with more force to the local harbor
because it's coming importance is not
greatly appreciated.
To secure a branch photographic Of
fice it is probably only necessary to
bring pressure from Los Angeles on
the navy department to investigate
the Importance and position of the
port. There is no expense attached,
as the government furnishes and main
tains the office with an officer of the
navy in charge. 1t may be desirable
to offer suitable Office room, and this
is easily available in the San Pedro
branch city hall, which is admirably
located for the purpose. The San Fran
cisco Office occupies Office room fur
nished by the Merchants exchange,
but an Office at this point should be
located at San Pedro.
Perhaps the most significant thing
about the following editorial from
/ = L. "a. ka1I