Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir; four cranes will be purchased, to begin with.

Mr. ROBERTS. And there are 11 tracks to run the cars on?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. It would be possible to operate more than one train on one track, because the bin is 900 feet long. This divided-bin system permits segregating coal into a number of pockets, so in case different kinds of coal are received the different kinds can be stored in different pockets, and also permits of the using or removing from the bins of coal which has been longest in storage, in other words, taking that coal first, or if desired, giving preference to that more recently received.

Mr. ROBERTS. How will you get the temperature of the coal in the bin?

Admiral STANFORD. By means of a thermometer lowered into a pipe which should be stood up on the bottom of the bin.

Mr. ROBERTS. And removed?

Admiral STANFORD. When the coal is removed.

Mr. ROBERTS. When you put in the coal you put in a pipe and drop the thermometer into the pipe?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. And when the coal comes out that pipe is removed and put in another bin?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. It is estimated that this plan, which provides for the storage of 200,000 tons of coal together with pier and mechanical equipment, will cost $960,000, or less than $5 per

ton.

Mr. ROBERTS. Is that an original plan, or did you get the idea from some other plant?

Admiral STANFORD. It is a scheme of my own.

The CHAIRMAN. What has been the cost per ton for the construction of other coaling plants?

Admiral STANFORD. Including the plant at Tiburon, with total capacity of 125,000 short tons with a large part in open storage, costs have been from $8.50 to $15 per ton.

The CHAIRMAN. And this is $5.60?

Admiral STANFORD. Less than $5; $4.80. In recommending this scheme the bureau had in mind that there will not be frequent handling of the coal in storage as it is primarily a reserve storage where coal will be assembled in quantity to be available for emergency needs. It is not like a commercial coaling station, which handles the capacity of the plant possibly once a week or once a month.

Mr. ROBERTS. This is to create a reserve supply of coal for the Pacific Fleet?

Admiral STANFORD. That is the idea.

Mr. ROBERTS. Can you keep the coal in storage indefinitely without danger of spontaneous combustion?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir; by having absolute control of the temperature.

The CHAIRMAN. Have you given attention to the question of the deterioration of the coal?'

Admiral STANFORD. Deterioration, I believe, is a comparatively small and insignificant loss if the area exposed to the atmosphere is not great. In this case the area exposed would be small because of the great depth of storage.

Mr. ROBERTS. The bin is not covered?
Admiral STANFORD. No cover is contemplated.

The CHAIRMAN. What was the conclusion with reference to the test made as to subaqueous storage?

Admiral STANFORD. Conclusions have not been finally drawn. Tests and observations are still being made upon a mass of coal which is in aqueous storage at New London.

The CHAIRMAN. What was the result of the test of the coal taken from the bunkers of the battleship Maine, which had been under water 12 years?

Admiral STANFORD. My recollection is that it depreciated very little as the result of submergence.

The CHAIRMAN. Please put in the hearings a definite statement with reference to that.

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir. Admiral Cowen, Engineer in Chief of the Navy, has informed me that tests conducted upon coal found in the bunkers of the Maine after raising the wreck showed that the coal was practically as good as when first placed aboard.

Mr. ROBERTS. What is the rainfall at Pearl Harbor?

Admiral STANFORD. At the station it is about 14 inches, but by going a very short distance into the foothills the rainfall increases very rapidly.

Mr. ROBERTS. There will be no trouble with the rainfall collecting in the bins ?

Admiral STANFORD. No, sir; but even if there should be an accumulation of water in the bins it could be drawn off through the flooding or drainage system which is provided under the floor of the bins. Mr. ROBERTS. Drain, or would it have to be pumped?

Admiral STANFORD. Drain, because the floor of the bin is higher than tide level.

Mr. ROBERTS. Are not small pieces of coal likely to choke the pipe?

Admiral STANFORD. To insure against choking the inlets into the drainage pipes will be protected by baskets or strainers 3 or 4 feet in diameter and which will rise to a height of 4 or 5 feet, that will be stood over the inlets before coal is placed in the bins, so there will be provided a cavity which will increase the area into which water may seep or drain or through which flooding water may more readily enter the coal.

Mr. BUTLER. Will there be much loss of coal by that system; the water has to run through the coal?

Admiral STANFORD. The coal will not be flooded unless necessary to reduce temperature.

Mr. BUTLER. Would it carry away any part of the coal?

Admiral STANFORD. There would probably be a small amount of coal carried away, but if of any material quantity arrangements could be made for its recovery.

Mr. BUTLER. It will not be lost?

Admiral STANFORD. No, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. There has been a contention that the deterioration of coal was less in subaqueous storage than in air storage. What do you know about that?

Admiral STANFORD. If such is the case, damp storage can be arranged in these bins by occasionally flooding the bins and keeping

the coal in a wet condition. You might call it a damp storage as contrasted with flooded storage.

The CHAIRMAN. We will now proceed with the items at the Melville station. The next item is, "Sea wall, $10,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. This item is to provide breakwater protection to prevent erosion of the property by the sea.

The CHAIRMAN. Have you a sea wall there now?

Admiral STANFORD. A portion of the water front near the coal sheds is protected.

The CHAIRMAN. What is there to be protected that needs the sea wall; what is the see wall to protect?

Admiral STANFORD. Protection is desired for the portion of the water front near the fuel-oil tanks.

The CHAIRMAN. Have you a beach there; what has been protecting it heretofore?

Admiral STANFORD. This item is particularly to provide riprap protection for the portion of the water front in front of the new fueloil tanks and which has not heretofore been developed.

Mr. ROBERTS. Has the department renamed this station?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir; it has been named in honor of Admiral Melville.

The CHAIRMAN. When was the change made?

Admiral STANFORD. In January, 1912.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Quarters for machinist, $5,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. This item is to provide suitable quarters for the warrant machinist in charge.

The CHAIRMAN. What machinist is needed there?

Admiral STANFORD. The machinist in general charge of the station. The CHAIRMAN. How many are there at that station; how many employees, machinists, etc.?

Admiral STANFORD. This means the warrant machinist, who is the officer in charge.

Mr. ROBERTS. Not a civilian employee?

Admiral STANFORD. No, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Paint and oil house, $1,000.' Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. The present house is a temporary wooden building, which is too small and unsafe. It has been in use for about six years and is not fit or sufficient for the storing of inflammable material which must be carried in store, and part of which now has to be stored outdoors.

Mr. ROBERTS. What can you build with $1,000?

Admiral STANFORD. A small brick structure.

Mr. ROBERTS. Sheet iron?

Admiral STANFORD. A comparatively small stock of paints and oils are sufficient for the stations' needs, for which a small brick building will be most suitable.

The CHAIRMAN. You stated that the other one had been built about six years. Do the buildings wear out in six years?

Admiral STANFORD. No, sir; not if maintained in proper condition of repair.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the condition of this one; what made this one wear out in six years?

Admiral STANFORD. I do not know.

The CHAIRMAN. I would like to ask you this general question: What is the reason that the money for the naval depot at Melville can not be paid out of the $500,000 we have been appropriating for "Depots for coal"?

Admiral STANFORD. It can be, if so allotted by the Secretary.

Mr. ROBERTS. What sort of a building is designed for the machinist, a wooden building?

Admiral STANFORD. A small wooden cottage. It would be very modest.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Naval magazine, New York Harbor (Iona Island): Lunch room and lockers, $2,000." Please explain that item, Admiral?

Admiral STANFORD. At present there is no place except the engine and boiler rooms suitable for the use of the employees of the magazine as a clothing locker and lunch room. A suitable place for this purpose is very urgently needed for the comfort and contentment of the employees, and will add greatly to their efficiency.

Mr. ROBERTS. Does that contemplate a building or fitting up space in some existing building?

Admiral STANFORD. It is desired to provide a new building.

Mr. ROBERTS. You can not do very much with $2,000 in building lockers. How many employees there?

Admiral STANFORD. There are 137 employees.

Mr. ROBERTS. Please look into that and see.

Admiral STANFORD. Lockers will be provided under general appropriation.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Blacksmith shop, $2,500." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. There is constant work at this magazine on projectiles, ammunition containers, and other ordnance material, and this, in addition to the internal repair work, makes it necessary to have a small but well-equipped machine plant.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Quarters for gunner, $6,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. This magazine, like most of the others, is located some distance from any large town, and one of the chief gunners on duty at this magazine is now forced to live several miles away from the reservation, and the bureau considers it most desirable that he live on the magazine grounds.

Mr. ROBERTS. Does he get commutation for quarters?

Admiral STANFORD. If he lives in quarters for which he pays rental he is entitled to commutation.

Mr. ROBERTS. Do you know what that commutation is?

Admiral STANFORD. I presume it would be an ensign's or junior lieutenant's commutation, which would be two or three rooms, either $24 or $36 per month.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the distance of Iona Island from Fort Lafayette?

Admiral STANFORD. About 40 miles.

The CHAIRMAN. Are both of those magazines needed?

Admiral STANFORD. I would have to ascertain that from the Bureau of Ordnance.

Mr. ROBERTS. Is not Iona Island very well up toward West Point?

Admiral STANFORD. Yes, sir.

Mr. ROBERTS. Why do they call it "New York Harbor" way up the river?

Admiral STANFORD. It is under the general command of the commandant of the New York Navy Yard, as are also Fort Lafayette and Lake Denmark, which is in northern New Jersey.

The CHAIRMAN. How far is Lake Denmark from Fort Lafayette? Admiral STANFORD. About 50 miles.

The CHAIRMAN. And how far is Fort Lafayette from New York City?

Admiral STANFORD. About 7 miles.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Naval magazine, Fort Lafayette, N. Y.: Extension of wharf, $6,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. The storage capacity at this magazine is ample, but the facilities for shipping and receiving ammunition are very inadequate and undesirable delays occur in carrying on its operations The proposed extension of wharf, about 110 feet by 20 feet, with a bridge 50 feet long and 10 feet wide from the south end of the wharf to the sea wall, will correct the existing unsatisfactory conditions and make it possible to receive and ship ammunition as expeditiously as desired.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the depth of water there?
Admiral STANFORD. About 13 feet.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Auxiliary pump house for fire protection, $1,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. There is at present a gasoline engine operating a fire pump, but this is not reliable and does not constitute a safe protection against fire. It is proposed to install an electric motordriven pump on the sea wall, the current to be obtained under contract from the public service of New York City. This item is to provide the pump house. The mechanical equipment will be obtained with funds from general appropriation.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Dredging channel, $15,000." Please explain that item, Admiral.

Admiral STANFORD. On a request from the Navy Department a survey and examination of the channel was made in the vicinity of the naval wharf at Fort Lafayette with a view to determining the amount and cost of dredging required to provide a suitable channel coming to and from Fort Lafayette. It is found at the present time that the channel is too shallow and too restricted in width. The eastern approach to this fort, which lies directly at right angles to the flow of the tide, has become more and more difficult to enter each year, and unless this channel is deepened and widened in the near future this magazine will become practically inaccessible by water. It has been estimated that a channel entirely around, from east to north of this fort of 20 feet in depth, would cost $59,500, on the basis of 170,000 cubic yards, at 35 cents per cubic yard. This price is considered to be a reasonable and conservative one for the character of work in question-namely, dipper dredging. However, a channel could be secured to the east of Fort Lafayette from entrance to 200 feet beyond the fort, providing 15 feet of water, for $15,000, which is herewith requested.