Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-14

Asks Permanent Home for
Department of Com
merce in Report.

Higher salaries for employees, a per-
manent home for the department and
erection of a national archives build
ing are recommended in the annual
report Of Secretary Alexander of the
Department of Commerce, made pub
lie today.
The Secretary says. in presenting
his 1922 estimates, he has asked in
miniStrative positions within the de-
partment. He adds that the increases
submitted are actuated not by the
high cost of living, but in the belief
that they more nearly represent COM
pensation commensurate with the
duties involved.
''One of the greatest needs of the
department is a permanent home for
the proper housing of it's several
bureau and divisions" the report
that steps be taken at an early date
looking to the erection of building
suitably adapted to the efficient ad-
ministration of the department. The
report says the necessity for ma
tional archives building becomes more
apparent each day, as there are in
the possession of the Department OF
Commerce many valuable papers
which should be safeguarded in such
a building.
Much Carried in Z. S. Ships.
Nearly half of the nations record
breaking overseas commerce in the
fiscal year was carried in American
ships, the report said. The overseas
trade reached the unprecedented total
of $11.875,4 24, 900. Total value of i'm
ports and exports by land and sea was
S13,349, 900, nearly $4,000. 900. 900
above the previous record established
in the fiscal year ended June 80, 1919.
The report shows that during the last
fiscal year the American fleet was in
creased by go vessels, of 3,416,000
gross tons
Cost Of the field work in connection
and agriculture for the 1920 census
will reach approximately $9.345,0O0,
consisting Of about 81, $4,000 for emu
merators and approximately $1,695.00O
for salaries and travelling expenses
Of the supervisors and special agents,
Secretary Alexander said.
634 New Navigation Aids.
Discussing the work Of the bureau
of lighthouses for the year. the Sec
rotary said a total of 634 new aids to
navigation were established. including
172 lights and so gas buoys, by the
lighthouse service. which on June 80,
1920. employed 5000 persons and was
to navigation along 1902 miles of
coast line and river channel.
In his discussion of the work of the
coast and geodetic survey, Mr.. Alex
ander devoted much space to Alaska,
declaring that there had never been
we'll defined and concentrated effort
on q big business scale to develop the
territory as 1t should be done. He
pointed out that Alaska, with its more
than $4,000 miles of detailed coast line
could not be approached without ply
ing the waters that nearly sur
round 1t.
Reviewing the work Of the steam
boat inspection service, Mr.. Alexander
disclosed that during the year nearly
5000. 900 passengers were carried
safely on ships for each passenger
lost. The total Of passengers carried
was 3eS, S70.3z and only AZ lost their
lives The total number Of accidents
on ships resulting In loss Of life was
1872, and the Number OF lives lost 40,
of which 145 were from such causes
az suicide and accidental drowning.
leaving 325 AZ fairly chargeab1e to &C.
cidents. collisions and founderfngs.