Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-20

President Wilson's plea for adequate
provision by Congress for the survey
and chartng of the
Worn-Out Coast coasts of the United
c,o1 States, especially the
has stimulated the interest of the peo-
pie of the country in that part of the
governments work. which has more to
do than is generally realized with the
| safety of travel on coastwise vessels
and on vessels plying between ports
In Alaska and the Pacific coast states.
Although the United States coast
and geodetic survey is the oldest
scientific service of the government,
the public still knows little about it's
work of surveying and charting the
coasts of the United States, and ac-
cording to Secretary Redfeld the bu-
reau is forced to work under what he
calls miserable conditions because Con-
gress has not provided adequate APP
preparations for equipment and for
surveys.
coast and geodetic survey are reported
nine and fifty-two years old, and
to be so slow that they can
make speed of only eight knots an
hour in fine weather. and only four
knots when they venture in rough
water. In gale. it is said. they can
not keep head to wind. The supervis-
ing inspector general of the Depart
ment of Commerce has reported to
Secretary Redfeld that one could
scoop handfuls of rotted wood out of
tn" old timbers of one of the ships
Recent examinations of vessels have
shown that living conditions for both
officers and men are worse. perhaps.
than on any vessels owned by AIRY
On the three old ships mentioned there
is no electricity, no refrigerator. no
bathing facilities. no means of making
fresh water. no steering engines, no
windlass engines, and officers eat,
sleep. live and work in n single room,
and three men sleep in a shaft alley.
In the opinion of Secretary Redfield,
the weak. old. worn-o ships are a
disgrace to the country. as we'll as a
menace to the men who man them. The
Secretary last year asked Congress for
100000 to replace the antiques, and
has renewed his estimate in the cur
rent appropriation bill
President Wilson's advocacy of ade-
quate surveys of the coast is a result
of his investigation of the reports
made by various vessel men and trav-
elers. as well as by officers of the coast
and geodetic survey. The reports of
the large loss of life and property.
particularly on the Alaskan coast, are
startling enough each year. it is re-
ported. to warrant the appropriation
by Congress of far more than has ever
been asked to provide adequately for
charting and survey of the coast.
The vast fishing. shipping and land
interests on the Pacific coast have
sought for years to obtain wire drag
surveys of the dangerous places. but
the annual appropriations made by
Congress have provided for only a
small part of the work. The chief
obstacle which the Secretary of Com
merce has met in his fight for an ap-
preparation has been the Indifference
which prevails as to local conditions in
Alaska and the extent of commerce
which has been developed in the United
States and the northern territory. With
the increase of this traffic, which will
come from the increased use of the
Panama canal, it is estimated that the
loss of life and property will become
heavier each year unless the govern
ment soon provides adequately for the
charting and survey of coasts for
which. the President has made his
appeal.