The herald., 1917-03-01
HELM COMMISSION REPORT.

The full report of the Helm Commission which a published at
great length a few days ago in one of our daily papers becomes a very
yaIuabIe document for those who are interested in the upbuilding of our
local Naval Station. This report becomes a weapon now IN IN Oh
the Naval Base committee which is composed of representatives OF our
different exchanges and business men. to be used at such time when
'unwarranted attacks are hurled against this station.
An analysis of this commission report is eighty per en- taTOIaO S
to New Orleans and the number of advantages so outnumoer NJ dsad-
vantages that the report is looked upon s quite favorable to the New
Actual building of some of the small vessels is already begun at the
station. Several motor boats are now in courseo OF construction and within
"a short time the keel for several auxiliary vessels vii oe 4ad harF
work of course will depend entirely upon the amount OF the appropriation
for these purposes.
The estimates submitted by the industrial manager in his letter of
December 2. 1915, approved by the commandant. provide for expendit-
balance for general purposes OF s15O75s. 1t is also in addition to an
estimate of $4,000 already submitted to Congress by the Navy Depart
ment in this years estimates. The commission, in recommending al ap-
proPFaHon IN auurnO 81 ~ wbsrf sIonr h whole water front as of
primary Importance which should be undertaken without delay; also that
the most urgent deficiencies in machinery and power plant, shop and
storage facilities, should be remedied. 1t therefore recommends that
5000 600 be appropriated for the improvement OF the naval station at
New Orleans along the lines just indicated, that to be in addition to the
item of $15O,759. now available, and estimates of 100000 above referred
to-. The specific allotment and expenditure of this sum Of 100000, when
appropriated, to be under conditions hereinafter stated and similar to
those recommended in the case of Charleston and Pensacola.
The following data is taken from reports of the paymaster general
the chief of engineers, L. Army, and from the reports of the command,
ant of the station forwarded to the commission on ctoo - $40 ana
subsequently. The reports OF the cOmmandant ar herto attached CAP
p hate Of nnrcbas Of original site 1S49
Cost of original Site. dS'oo0
Cost of land acquired in addition to original site. .........s $4,000
Total expenditures for buildings, improvements and machineryS 2,6S6S32
Area of land included within station boundaries. go. 25 acres
Approximate length of water frontage oil Mississippi river. 2Ta feet
Approximate length of improved water frontage. ..... 400 feet
Approximate length of improved water frontage occupied by
APPROXIMATE length of water frontage requiring improvement 2375 feet
Approximate depth of water which a De maintained at
wbaryes with only minor dredging. 40 feet
Width of turning and anchoring basin abreast OF station. IL mile
Naxinum current a. flood river. 1890. SO miles
Proposed depth of water in channel of Southwest Pass as per
pre@nt project 35 feet
lProposed width 1000 feet
90, 1916 IS feet
proiect 35 feet
Actual depth of waterin camel of South Pass, June 80, 1916 81 12 feet
| Anroximate controlling depth of channel. all seasons. 80 feet
| Anproumate waterf frontage of city of New Orleans. A miles
Approximate wharf frontage in city Of New Orleans privately
owned 5 miles
Approximate wharf frontage in city of New Orleans publicly
owned 5 miles
Number of railways reaching the city. .................. 10
Number of ocean steamship companies making New Orleans a
Average value of commerce going through port of New Orleans
for each of the three years ending June 80, 1914. .S31OOOOOOO