New Britain herald., 1918-12-14
]. s. COAST SURVEY
 VERY INCOMPL LETE
Work Of Department Hampered By Lack of Qualified Experts

Washington, Dec, 14.-Tho annual report of the superintendent of the coast and geodetic survey to the secre- tary of commerce has just come from the press. It is a single volume or 133 pages in which are discussed the accomplishments of the bureau during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918, and the needs of the bureau to more economically and effectively accom- plish it's purpose. These accomplish nents and needs are emphasized by numerous illustrations. In Parts l. and II. arc discussed the administra- tive features of the work of the bu- reau while Part III. is a resume ot the accomplishments in both the field and office during the fiscal year.
 X summary is made of the surveys effected during the year under the classifications of ship and launch hy- drography, wire-drag surveys, revision work, current observations tidal ob- servations, topography, triangulation, precise levels and magnetic observa- tions In this summary are shown the 
 areas covered.
 Many Waters Uncharted.
 Attention is caIfed to the fact that there are waters of coming commer cial importance along the coasts Of Alaska where absolutely no surveys have been made, and that the surveys of the waters of California, Oregon and Washington have never been properly completed. These surveys cannot be prosecuted more vigorously because the vessels of the bureau for making them are not sufficient in number, and those that are available are not stanch enough for all classes of work By statistical comparison of the areas surveyed in one year by the present fleet of surveying vessels and the areas yet to be surveyed, it is shown how long with the present rate of progress it will take to complete these surveys.
 Another need of the bureau that is pointed out in some detail is that of sovernm ent-owned power launches for propei1ing wire-drag surveying apparatus A lay exposition is made of the principles of the wire-drag sur ney. The power launches used in the
  that this is an extraNagant process in that the launches are secured at the time when they afford the greatest returns to their owners in carrying on the fishing industry and, therefore, the government must pay @ high rental, besides making alterations to fit the launches for surveying pur- poses.
 Much difficulty has been expert enced in the past by the bureau in se- curing and retaining competent and experienced seamen for the surveying vessels of the bureau It is asserted that this is due more from the unin- viting quarters of the vessels of the bureau and from the fact that the ap- propriations for the pay of seamen are not sufficient to provide a stan dard wage than from any other cause. Another difficulty is that as the sur veying vessels are in the field but a portion of each year, this necessitates that the crews be laid off at the con- clusion of the surveying season and that new crews be obtained at the opening of the succeeding season. To better these conditions three reme- dies are suggested:
 l. That surveying vessels be pro- yided of a type sufficiently stanch to make surveys in Alaskan waters dur ing the summer months and in the ex- posed waters of Washington. Oregon and California during the winter months.
 2. That the appropriations fol manning the vessels of the coast ant geodetic survey be increased so tha a standard wage can be paid the sea men on the vessels of that service throughout the year.
 5. That authority be granted to en- list seamen for service in the coas and geodetic survey for a, period O. one year that will be binding upor them during the period of enlistmen as are enlistments in the navy.
 Retirement is advocated for tht commissioned officers of the bureau It is declared that the coast and geo detic survey is the oldest scientific bureau of the federal government anC naturally the evils attendant on super annuation are quite apparent. The work of the engineering corps of thu Bureau is specialized and, therefore if followed for any length of time i develops into a life work and is mor inviting for scientific attainmen ent thai Tor peCunlary gain. It is pointed ou that the risks incident to making felt surveys are numerous and of man, kinds, and it is claimed that it is nt more than a fitting reward that re tirement should be granted for an en gineer whose life has been devoted t the unselfish advancement of the pub lie work and in the interest of the de velopment of commerce.
 More Help Needed.
 Tn connection with the office worl of the bureau, attention is called t