The Alaska daily empire., 1917-01-02

ject has been made and the esti- mates submitted to Congress for the fiscal year 1918 have been prepared to carry funds for surveys of two localities requested by the navy and which it would not be possible for us to do with only our usual ap- propriatiOns."
 The report then calls attention to the discovery of numerous submcrg ed pinnGcles in Alaska and New England waters this year, emphasiZ-
 ng the urgent need of eXpediting the wircdrag work in the vast areas known to be dangerous 10 human
 life and commerce.
 In his estimates last year Jones asked for two new vessels 10 take the place of the steamship Gedncy and Patterson, two antiQuated and obsolete barks employed in the work in Alaska waters.
 "The Patterson" says the report, 'is still in the service, but old, weak and unfit for exposed work that should be expected of her in pro. tccting the waters of the Pacific Coast.
 Both Vessels Need Repairs
 Congress felt that the replacing of these vessels should be deferred for the present. The request for two new vessels for the Pacific Coast and Alaska is renewed with the earnest hope that the increasing need of surveys on that coast will be recognized. It may be well to add here that both the Patterson and Explorer will necessarily re- Quire repairs this year. In view of the age of these vessels and their condition, it is inadvisablc to make extensive repairs on them.
 Tt has never been more evident that extraordinary efforts should be made to keep up with the rapid pro gross of the Pacific Coast and Alas ka, and to safeguard the waters which are really the main method of transportation. Alaska, up to. 1913, had been in q more or less dormant state. Within three years the Territory has developed won. derfully, the new railroad is being built to tap the interior; itg experts and imports have increased from SCI, 100000 10 about S1O0,J00O00; and the work of making surveys, which was backward before the increasing trade activity, has not kept pace with the development of this vast and valuable territory.
 Ut is very essential that these new vessels asked for be allowed in order tu survey without further delay the great water area of cen tral and western Alaska.
 Surveyor Nearly Ready
 "It is gratifying to be able to say that the Surveyor, the most suitable vessel Of her kind ever built for this service. will be ready for the Alaska work in the spring. Her keel was laid in the winter of 1915 and | she was launched in July of this l year. She is intended to replace the McArthur (The McArthur was condemned and sold a year ago.
 "In addition 10 the present work in Alaskan waters, the coasts Of Oregon and California are in urgent need of completed surveys and the protection which and accurate charts afford, It has been Impossible, heretofore, to give thesl coasts the attention .hcy have needed and their com. ncrce demands.
 "It is a fact that should bear some weight in further argument for hcse new vessels that their con- ;truction in accord with the nayy's views makes them auXiliGries for ,ur country's protection in time of lced."
 The same point is made in recom- for governmentowned aunches for the wire drag work in Alaska. The launch work has been lone with chartered boats to date. especially designed to meet he survey services needs, Jones joints out, could be used for revision nd inshorc work as well as the work.
 "Thcir construction is subject 70 consultation with the navy depart lent," says the report, "and they 1 'ould be invaluable in time of war" 2 Attention is again called by Jones 3 the desirability of the purchase f Dutch HarbOr. Alaska, as a fGder. government base.
 "It is a matter that has been ad- ocatcd by the heads of other ser ices in the government" he says , l the report, "and the value to the .: Overnmcnt Of this location in far 'estern Alaska cannot be overestl- ated at this time. Further, it can 9 said that 1t would be a better in. to the government than !
 was year ago on account of the x creased activity in Alaska and it's |" aterS and the greater need of @ armament coal, oil and supply base ! l Boring Sea" |