Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Does it purchase its water from a private corporation or the city? Admiral STANFORD. It is purchased from the Vallejo Water Co. The CHAIRMAN. Is there any way for the Government to have its own supply of water? Admiral STANFORD. That was considered at one time and serious consideration given to a supply known as Lake Chabot. The source, however, was not considered as good as it should have been, and would have involved laying mains on property over which the Government had no control. The CHAIRMAN. What is the annual water cost on the island, do you know? Admiral STANFORD. For fiscal year 1912 it was a little less than $46,000. Mr. ROBERTS. Have any experiments been made looking to an artesian supply? Admiral STANFORD. Artesian wells have been tried repeatedly and failed. Mr. Foss. I want to ask you about the channel at Mare Island. How are they getting along, and are you getting a sufficient depth of water? Admiral STANFORD. Certain spur dikes have been constructed with the idea of contracting the channel and obtaining greater velocity of current, which would tend to erode the bottom and produce greater depths. Other dikes were constructed for the purpose of cutting off the flow of mud or silt carried around the south end of Mare Island from San Pablo Bay and into Mare Island Strait. The bureau has recently received a report from the yard covering observations which had been made over a period of three months. The report stated that conclusions should not be formed upon the data which were submitted until further observation had covered the period of the entire year, for the reason that the conditions vary greatly from month to month, depending upon the trade winds and seasonal changes. I am not in a position to make a statement as to the definite results which have been obtained until after that further detailed investigation has been made. Apparently, there has been no material change in the depth of the channel. Mr. Foss. You are speaking about the channel right around the navy yard. I want to ask you about the channel farther down at that particular point toward Pinole Point. The CHAIRMAN. Two or three years ago we made an appropriation of $600,000 or $800,000 in connection with a river and harbor improvement, and there was an appropriation made by the River and Harbor Committee, and the two together were given you to build some dikes or breakwaters to narrow the channel and dredge it out, and other things. Explain fully what has been done as a result of that appropriation. Admiral STANFORD. There was a naval appropriation of $300,000, of which there is now an unexpended balance of about $114,000. Authorization was also made for an additional $507,000. Mr. BUTLER. That item was in the river and harbor bill? Admiral STANFORD. No, sir; the authorization is contained in act of March 4, 1911, making appropriations for the naval service. The dikes, breakwaters or bulkheads spoken of have been constructed in part with the $300,000 and also with funds previously appropriated in 1904, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1909, and 1910. Recommendations have been received for the removal of Commission Rock in Mare Island Strait, but definite approval or action has not yet been taken upon this recommendation. The Mare Island authorities have been requested to make recommendations as to such further work as they think should be immediately undertaken, using the balance of about $114,000 which is now available. The CHAIRMAN. What is the present depth of water? Admiral STANFORD. Probably 22 to 23 feet, but the bureau records contain no report showing recent soundings. The CHAIRMAN. I was under the impression that we had information two or three years ago that they had 25 to 26 feet of water? Admiral STANFORD. The dikes have resulted in improving the depth at certain points, but cause shoals to form at other points. The CHAIRMAN. My recollection is that they told us that over the shoal at the time the testimony was given it was either 25 or 26 feet. How is it over the shoal? Admiral STANFORD. I think the conditions are better over the shoal, but have resulted in a shifting of the shallow spots. The CHAIRMAN. I notice that in 1904 we appropriated $150,000; in 1905, $100,000; in 1906, $100,000; in 1908, $20,000; in 1909, $100,000; and in 1910, $100,000, making a total of $570,000 for the improvement of the channel; and for dredging, beginning in 1890 and coming up to 1908, we have appropriated $487,382, making a total of $1,057,382 for those two purposes. I was anxious to ascertain what results we were getting from those appropriations. Can you put into the hearings a full and complete résumé of the accomplishments there, what has been done, in a succinct way, so that we can have a definite statement before us? Admiral STANFORD. I do not feel that I can at this time until report is received covering observations made over an entire year, as stated above. There were careful and elaborate surveys made in 1901, but to compare those with present surveys would necessitate that the comparison should be made with surveys and observations during the same months of the year, as conditions vary widely from month to month, depending upon trade winds and seasonal changes. San Pablo Bay, located to the west of Mare Island, is a bay approximately 13 miles long in an east and west direction, and 5 miles wide in a north and south direction, with an average depth of from 5 to 10 feet. This bay has received a very large part of the sediment which has been brought down the Sacramento River during the period of hydraulic dredging. This sediment is very light, and the trade winds blowing over San Pablo Bay, over a stretch of 13 miles of water, cause a considerable wave action which breaks on the western shore of Mare Island and raises or churns into suspension the sediment which has been previously deposited in the bay. Tidal water coming in from the sea passes Point San Pablo, flowing in a northerly direction, and is then diverted to an easterly course in San Pablo Bay, with the result that flood tide sweeps out of San Pablo Bay the water which is heavily charged with sediment and carries it around the southern end of Mare Island and into Mare Island Strait, which explains, in my opinion, the source of the silt which has caused the shoaling of Mare Island Strait. 85873-13-12 The CHAIRMAN. As far as you have been able to observe, has it accomplished in any way that result so far? Admiral STANFORD. Rapid filling behind the dikes indicate that the flow of sediment into Mare Island Strait has been checked, but the tidal currents do not seem to be strong enough to cause erosion of the channel and give naturally any great improvement in depth. The CHAIRMAN. If it were dredged out under conditions now would it fill in again? Admiral STANFORD. I question if it would fill in as rapidly, because there is not the same tendency to sedimentation that there was. The CHAIRMAN. Would the sediment coming down the Sacramento River still deposit in the bay or in the strait? Admiral STANFORD. Apparently there is not as much material coming down the Sacramento River now as formerly because mining operations are not conducted on the same plan and the stream is not the heavy silt-bearing stream that it was, as I understand. Mr. Foss. It is not your intention, as I understand, to ask for any appropriation this year? Admiral STANFORD. No appropriation is requested this year. Admiral STANFORD. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Navy yard, Puget Sound, Wash.: Main gate and gate house, $35,000.' Please explain that item, Admiral. Admiral STANFORD. It is proposed to construct a suitable building to contain guardhouse, telephone central station, and office of board of labor, with arched gate. It is proposed also to construct a concrete wall along the eastern boundary of the yard for fire protection. This latter is necessary as the buildings adjoining the yard are wood and highly inflammable and are considered a menace. are the buildings just outside the yard, close to the boundary, and they wish rather a substantial wall as fire protection. The CHAIRMAN. How high would the wall be? Admiral STANFORD. Ten or twelve feet. The CHAIRMAN. How high are the buildings? Admiral STANFORD. One or two stories. Those The CHAIRMAN. Would not the fire reach over that wall?' Admiral STANFORD. It is not as though the buildings were hard up against the wall. The CHAIRMAN. Would not the wind carry the fire over the wall? I can not see how a 10-foot wall would be a protection against fire. Admiral STANFORD. The yard buildings are mostly of fireproof construction and are not specially liable to fire damage, and there is not the serious menace which would be the case if the buildings inside the wall were of an inflammable character. The CHAIRMAN. Why do you need the fire wall? The CHAIRMAN. How much of this estimate is to be used for the wall and how much for the house? Admiral STANFORD. The house would not cost less than $25,000 or $30,000 to provide the facilities which are outlined. Mr. BUTLER. That is, the house? Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Can you put into the hearings a specific statement. as to the dimensions and character of that house, construction, etc.? Admiral STANFORD. We will have to make a new design, because the house as originally designed was to cost a great deal more. If this item is allowed we will prepare a design such that the cost of construction will come within the limit of the appropriation. Mr. BUTLER. Is there any building at this point? Admiral STANFORD. There are some temporary structures at the entrance. Mr. BUTLER. Some place where the marines are housed? The CHAIRMAN. You are not going to use this house except for the purposes you have mentioned? Admiral STANFORD. The house will be designed to accomplish those results. The CHAIRMAN. How many officers would you have in it? Admiral STANFORD. I do not think there would be any officers. Mr. ROBERTS. There would be the labor board? Admiral STANFORD. That is in charge of a clerk as a rule, and the officers constituting the labor board go there from time to time, but are not on constant duty in that office. There would be a desk for an officer. The captain of the yard is the senior member of the labor board, and he has an office in another place. Mr. ROBERTS. I supposed that the labor board had its meetings where the records were? Admiral STANFORD. They may at Puget Sound, but such arrangement is not universal. At Philadelphia they did not. The CHAIRMAN. Assuming that $25,000 or $30,000 of this amount would be used for this building that would be occasionally visited by an officer, the telephone office, and for the meetings of the labor board Admiral STANFORD. And the guardhouse. The CHAIRMAN. How many prisoners will that accommodate? Admiral STANFORD. The guardhouse is for the marine guard stationed at the gate, with a certain number of bunks for the men who are going to succeed to duty and for those relieved. The CHAIRMAN. Do you keep them on an eight-hour shift? The CHAIRMAN. How many do you keep at the gate? Admiral STANFORD. There are generally six or eight men to be seen at a time, and they will probably have four or five bunks and toilet facilities. The CHAIRMAN. How far from this gate are existing toilet facilities? Admiral STANFORD. In the storehouse. The CHAIRMAN. How far is that? Admiral STANFORD. A distance of about 300 feet, I suppose. There would not be any elaborate toilet facilities at the gate. Mr. Foss. I can see where you would perhaps need a guardhouse where the navy yard is situated near a large city, but at Bremerton, where you are miles away from Seattle, and they have to cross the channel, I do not see any real necessity for a guardhouse. Admiral STANFORD. Bremerton is quite a little village, just outside the gate. Mr. Foss. There was not very much there when I was there a number of years ago. All the men who live at Bremerton work in the navy yard? Admiral STANFORD. Practically all. Mr. Foss. And they are really a part of the Government establishment? Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. I suppose there are four or five or six thousand people in Bremerton. It is quite a little village. Mr. Foss. I should think there was less need in the case of Bremerton, where it is purely a city of people who work in the navy yard, than in a city which has large industries of its own. The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Ship fitters' shop, mold loft, and structural-steel storage, to cost $275,000, $120,000." Please explain that item, Admiral. Admiral STANFORD. That is a new building which is desired to permit of the consolidation and concentration of tools, shops, and materials. It is desired not only for the purpose of effecting consolidation but to provide increased shop facilities. It is represented that the consolidation will not only very greatly increase the usefulness of the yard but also reduce the cost of shop operation. Mr. ROBERTS. Where is that shop to be located? Admiral STANFORD. In the vicinity of the machine shop and new foundry building. There are two or three old buildings on the site now, one or more of which they will incorporate in the new construction. I think there are two small temporary structures that would be removed. The CHAIRMAN. All of the buildings at that yard are comparatively new? Admiral STANFORD. Most of the buildings there are in very good condition; yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. The yard in area is comparatively a small yard, with the buildings close together? Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. There are, however, 218 acres in the Puget Sound yard. The CHAIRMAN. That portion of the yard used for the shop buildings is small and the buildings are comparatively close together? Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Does the same necessity exist at this yeard for bringing the buildings together in order to overcome distance that you have in the other yards? Admiral STANFORD. That is not, as I understand it, the strong argument for this improvement, but it is to enable them to meet the increased demands being made upon them. The CHAIRMAN. If this appropriation was granted and the consolidation took place, to what use would the existing buildings be applied? Admiral STANFORD. This building is in the nature of an extension, and it would mean that the vacated buildings would be used for shop purposes to increase their facilities. The CHAIRMAN. Would this be the enlarging of an existing building or be an independent building? Admiral STANFORD. An independent structure incorporating a small existing building. The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Power plant extensions, $75,000." When was that power plant constructed? Admiral STANFORD. It has just been completed. The CHAIRMAN. And now you want to extend it? |