Requested expenditures, available for repairs, preservation, and maintenance, are therefore 3.97 per cent of the valuation, excluding land. Land is not included, as it derives its value almost wholly from being the site of the Naval Academy. Contiguous land in Annapolis is held at a very high valuation on account of the Government's property investment. But the extent of the land to be cared for and policed should be considered. The cost of this item for the current fiscal year (1912) is: Labor___ $34,000.00 7,500.00 41, 500.00 This reduces the percentage first mentioned to 3.5 per cent. For repairs, preservation, and maintenance of property at navy yards and stations there is appropriated under Yards and Docks: Repairs and preservation. Maintenance. Total for current fiscal year (1911)--- $800,000.00 1, 540, 000. 00 2, 340, 000. 00 The approximate value of the navy yard property on which the above appropriations are expended is as follows: Comparing the value at navy yards on the same basis as the Naval Academy-that is, with the value of the land omitted—there is appropriated for repairs, preservation, and maintenance $2.340,000 on a valuation of $59,200,000, or 3.95 per cent of the valuation. Of this $59,200,000 property, $13.600,000 is represented by dry docks and their accessories, which do not require in excess of one-fourth of 1 per cent of their valuation for yearly repairs and maintenance. At the Naval Academy there are no such structures, and in a comparison of up. keep as a percentage of valuation allowance should be made for such a marked difference in character of property. Allowing for maintenance and repairs of dry docks one-fourth of 1 per cent, the appropriation available for the mainte nance and repair of the remaining property whose valuation is $45,500,000, represents 5 per cent as compared with 3.5 per cent at the Naval Academy. Nearly nine-tenths of the valuation of property at the Naval Academy is represented by new buildings which have required a relatively small expenditure for repairs in the past few years. Unless adequate provision is, however, made yearly for their proper upkeep, serious deterioration will ensue, necessitating a greater ultimate expenditure. It should also be borne in mind that a large part of the building space is occupied as quarters for over 800 midshipmen, necessitating a greater expenditure for upkeep and replacement than is required for the usual type of buildings in the navy yards. The cost of watchmen, care and cleaning of buildings, policing and cleaning of grounds, is also relatively more expensive in proportion to the property valuation. At the Naval Academy the entire cost of operation of public utilities must be defrayed from the appropriation available for maintenance, while at the yards a large part of the expense is charged against the departments using them. With the exception of the saving in the expenditure for fuel at the Naval Academy as previously mentioned, practically all other expenditures for the year 1912 have been greater than was anticipated at the beginning of the year. In most cases this has been occasioned by the natural wear and tear and deterioration on property, a total value of more than $10,000,000 and, as shown above the work of maintenance and repair in other large institutions, is found to total between 4 and 4 per cent per annum on the original cost. And in this connection it must be borne in mind that if the money is not spent each year in keeping the material of the Naval Academy in good condition the money that will have to be eventually spent to restore it will be considerably greater than the current funds requested will aggregate. The principal unexpected expenditure during the fiscal year 1912 was occasioned by faulty work on the roofs and terraces of the academy, particularly on the terraces of Bancroft Hall. This work is very expensive, and was occasioned partly by the faulty design of the large terrace over the mess hall and partly because of bad workmanship in the completion of the structure of the roof which forms the terrace over the mess hall. This work has cost during the fiscal year 1912 approximately $20,000, and it is not practicable to estimate the probable future expenditure, because it is not the intent to rebuild the roof of the terraces unless actually necessary; if not more than $20,000 more is required to place the roof of these terraces in first-class condition we may consider ourselves very fortunate. The copper roofing on the larger buildings will require a possible expenditure during the fiscal year 1913 of $10,000, most of which will be due to the fact that the roofing gang of the contractors were negligent and careless, to use no stronger term, in the making of the joints and in the provision for expansion and contraction over the large surfaces involved. This defect is particularly apparent on the roofs of the armory and the gymnasium. The roof of the dome of the chapel will eventually require considerable money to restore, as the tile shows plainly the effect of expansion and contraction and from the frost. Nothing has so far been done on this work because the money is not available, and the leaks are not yet of a character to cause damage. The brickwork and the flashing on the academic buildings is defective and entirely due to faulty brickwork, which permits the taking up of moisture, which cracks the structure around the flashing as soon as the frost is sufficient to freeze the water content. The following detailed statement of the special expenditures now necessary to be made at the Naval Academy is submitted. It must, however, be understood that the work and estimates of money required given below is in addition to the work and money required for the actual repair and maintenance work required for the Naval Academy. This work must be taken up at the earliest possible moment and it is hoped will be actually disposed of in the way mentioned in paragraph 2, the most important items being taken first and the others nursed along by temporary repairs until it is practicable to take them up. The buildings at the Naval Academy have now been turned over to the Naval Academy authorities by the contractors for periods varying from 11 to 5 years, and the cost of repairs necessary for economic maintenance is increasing, and will increase for the next two or three years in geometrical ratio, after which, while not remaining constant, the ratio of increase for the actual purpose of maintenance will be smaller. In addition to the money to be expended for the actual maintenance of the buildings of the academy, there must be considered the maintenance of the piping for the steam, salt, fresh, and hot water systems. The effect of the artesian water in use at the Naval Academy shortens materially the life of iron piping unless (which is not at present the case) a lead or tin lining for the pipes is provided. In order that the above general statement may appear based on reasonable data, the following detailed estimate of work at present on hand is given with explanatory remarks following each item. It must be repeated, however, that the work and estimates of money required, given below, is in addition to the work and money for the actual "repair and maintenance" of the Naval Academy. Leaks in terraces, Bancroft Hall___ The terraces of Bancroft Hall are composed of asphalt blocks set over a concrete structure which forms the roof of the basement structure of Bancroft Hall lying outside of the main structure. The linear dimensions of this structure are large, and the consequent effect of expansion and contraction throughout this construction is such as to cause continual leakage at various points as the waterproofing material breaks. This ter race was the cause of a large expenditure of money on the part of the original contractors for the building of Bancroft Hall. The first attempt of the contractors to complete a water-tight structure was a failure, and approximately $35,000 was expended in the effort to produce a water-tight job. The work of the contractors was limited to the actual leaks discovered, $15,000.00 prior to the acceptance of the building and its surroundings by the Government. Shortly after its acceptance, and from then on, leaks have developed, and are apparently continuing to develop with increasing frequency. The work of repair costs $8 per square yard, and as the probable failure of the water tightness of the terraces will extend to the whole of the terraces within the next few years, the expense will be very great. The total area of the terraces is 4.480 square yards. There has been expended during the last fiscal year in this work of repairing leaks in the terraces of Bancroft Hall, $20.000. Repairs to wall tiling, showers The tiling in these showers is beginning to fall, due primarily to wear in use, and secondarily to the probable se tlement of the building. About 35 rooms have required renewal of tiling. In some cases it was possible to make a patch of the tiling, in others it was necessary to renew the whole room. The average cost per room is $37. Lighting, shades, iron guards, etc., general s ore The new general store, which has been recently occupied, was completed without provision of any system of lighting, nor are there shades, iron guards, and other accessories in connection with the windows. This omission was caused by the lack of funds. Filters, midshipmen's laundry, Bancroft Hall Clothes in the midshipmen's laundry have suffered damages, and in some cases complete ruin, because of the iron precipitated in the artesian water when heated under pressure. Two filters of 150 gallons per minute capacity are required for this purpose. Flooring, mess hall, Bancroft Hall___. The floor of the mess hall in Bancroft Hall has been in use now for more than five years. The entrance and the exit of 800 midshipmen three times a day in the use of the hall in its regulár service makes the life of a wood floor, in all probability, not more than five years. This floor has been patched until the limit of its availability for repair is about reached; it must be renewed within two years. The conditions of the policing of the mess hall are similar to those that obtain in the kitchen. The kitchen floor is of marbleithic block, and has not only given great satisfaction with regard to wear, bu permits sluicing with water without deterioration. The replacing of the floor in the mess hall in this manner, or in some form of sanitary flooring will cost $12,000, and will. in the end, prove cheaper than its replacement in wood, which cost, when originally placed by contract, $7,500. Flooring, armory and gymnasium The same remarks, as to need of replacement, apply to the floors in the armory, and the new flooring in the gymnasium, and at a cost of $7,500 each, or $15,000. Both to be done in wood (oak or maple). Flooring in armory to be nightengaled. Cleaning, grading, and sodding, at site of new power house.... The cleaning, grading, and sodding of the site now occupied by the new power house will require an expenditure of $5,000. Guttering and outside repairs, all houses, Upshur and Rodgers Row. To make the necessary repairs of outside work, including gut- Painting and outside repair of houses in Sampson Row The furniture in the quarters of the officers at the Naval $1,800.00 4, 500.00 2, 800.00 12,000.00 15,000.00 5,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 850.00 10, 000. 00 houses are changed, and when once made, the annual outlay for such equipment should not be more than 10 to 15 per cent of the original cost. This outlay will cost about $10.000 per annum for three years. This item then stands for this year at $10,000. Extension of fire main east of Bancroft Hall__ Extension of fire main eas of Bancroft Hall, $4.500. The Naval Academy has no fire protection in this portion of the yard, except that to be cbtained by the running of very long line of hose from the nearest fire hydrant, and from the fire engine of the Naval Academy, which must be placed alongside a fresh water outlet to provide feed water for its boiler. Opening and paving of roads_ The opening of a road between Maryland Avenue and Parker Street, in front of the officers' mess, $5,000. The opening and paving of a road, together with a sidewalk, from Parker Street to Balch Street, alongside the marine engineering and naval construc ion building, $5,000. Piping system. Bancroft Hall__. The piping system of Bancroft Hall is rapidly approaching the condition where its repair and maintenance will become a fixed yearly charge in the ratio of a complete renewal of piping at periods varying from five to eight years, most of the piping needing renewal at intervals of five years. Racks in kitchen, Bancroft Hall__ The present racks in the kitchen of Bancroft Hall for the storage of various utensils are made of wood. They are now worn out, and most of them are on the verge of collapse. It is desired to replace them with wire-mesh racks because of the unfavorable sanitary conditions surrounding the use of wooden racks. This will cost $4,000. Flooring corridors, Bancroft Hall The floor in the corridors of Bancroft Hall, on which the greatest traffic in the building occurs, will require extensive renewal and in some places complete renewal during the coming fiscal year; the cost of this will be not less than $15,000 (sanitary flooring). Copper roof work, new buildings The copper roof work on the new buildings in the academy is in constant need of repair, because of the development of actual leaks. This will require an expenditure for the coming year of $8,000. Salt and fresh water piping system.. The salt and fresh water piping system in the academy is one of the most serious conditions that now confronts the question of maintenance at the Naval Academy. The expense in connection with the renewal of the system is such that only the most limited amount of patch and repair work can be done with available appropriations. This item refers particularly to the underground piping system. Whenever an occasion occurs to place the salt-water fire-protection system under pressure sufficient to throw a stream of water in the upper portion of Bancroft Hall (175 pounds) and other higher buildings of the Naval Academy one or more breaks in this system invariably occurs. Some portions of the line are notoriously weak, and it is desired to renew these portions during the coming year. This must be in addition to the regular maintenance (packing of valves, renewing of jackets, etc.) of these lines. This item will amount to $10,000. The fresh-water lines are badly corroded, and a portion of these lines must be renewed. This will require $2,000. Piping, heat and water, Sampson Row____ The piping for heating and water for Sampson Row is carried in a trench under the sidewalk in front of the quarters. This line is all on made land, and the trench itself, which is of masonry, is gradually slipping and settling, until the continuity of the piping of the system is threatened. It will be necessary to rebuild the whole trench. This will cost $10,000. Ventilating and heating systems, academic group__ This system is faulty in design, and as a result it is not possible to obtain a satisfactory working condition for the thermostatic temperature control of this large building. This condition results in the waste of a large amount of coal during the heating season. The amount can not be accurately determined, but certainly amounts to as much as 200 tons. In addition this extreme variation in temperature seriously endangers the health of the midshipmen and others using the academic buildings. The remedy of this defect should be undertaken at once and will cost $5,000. Landing stage and house, foot of Maryland Avenue__ This landing stage and house has been the subject of correspondence with the bureau, and it has been agreed that when the money could be available from the Naval Academy appropriations that this landing stage and house for the accommodation of the ferry service across the Severn would be built. The erection of the foremast of the old Maine_- It is desired to do this work in the style consonant with the architecture at the academy, and a recommendation for an appropriation of $10,000 for this purpose was made to the bureau in June last. It is expected, however, that this work will ultimately have to be done from the Naval Academy appropriations. To the hauling out and placing of the submarine Holland as a memorial at the Naval Academy- This work will require piling and concrete foundation, the building of a temporary railway, together with other incidental work, and will amount to $3,500. $5,000.00 12, 000. 00 10, 000. 00 3, 500 SUMMARY. Leaks in terraces, Bancroft Hall.. Repairs to wall tiling, showers___ Lighting, shades, iron guards, etc., general store_ Filters, midshipmen's laundry, Bancroft Hall__ Flooring, mess hall, Bancroft Hall___ Flooring, armory and gymnasium_ Cleaning, grading, and sodding at site of new power house__ Furnishing of officers' quarters. Piping system, Bancroft Hall. Opening and paving of roads. Racks in kitchen, Bancroft Hall.. Copper roof work, new buildings.. Salt and fresh water piping system. Piping, heat and water, Sampson Row-- Ventilating and heating system, academic group-- Landing stage and house, foot of Maryland Avenue_ Erection of foremast, old U. S. S. Maine_. Hauling out and placing of submarine Holland as a memorial at the Naval Academy--. Total $15,000.00 1,800.00 4,500.00 2, 800.00 12,000.00 15. 000. 00 5,000.00 1,000.00 1, 000. 00 850.00 10, 000. 00 4,000.00 10, 000. 00 4,000.00 4.000.00 15,000.00 8,000.00 12, 000. 00 10, 000. 00 5,000.00 12, 000. 00 10, 000. 00 3,500.00 166, 950.00 PUBLIC WORKS. For the completion of the sea wall at the Naval Academy around the site of the new power house- The contract for the building of the sea wall around the site of the new power house was originally let for $150,000. After partly completing this work, the contractors found it 85873-13-31 $50,000.00 |