with verandas around it, a thoroughly pleasant place to sit and get what breeze there is and be out of the sun, and reading and writing room. We need writing rooms more than anything else in this building, where a man can sit down comfortably and write home. They have not good accommodations on the ships, as a rule. I think in the plans it is proposed to put in some bowling alleys and some pool tables or billiard tables, but I do not think those plans have been fully settled upon yet. There will be space for them. Mr. WITHERSPOON. Do these men need athletic exercise, or do they get enough exercise in the discharge of their duties? Admiral BADGER. They do get plenty of exercise in the discharge of their duties, but every man wants to exercise himself according to his own humor, and he will work himself to death on shore in getting ready for track meets or for football or baseball, while the same amount of labor might not be done so cheerfully if he had to do it. The CHAIRMAN. Admiral, with your experience, taken in connection also with your experience as head of the Naval Academy at Annapolis for several years as superintendent, and your training of young men and your experience and observation of them, it is your deliberate judgment that this is an urgent necessity for the health, comfort, and efficiency of the men in the fleet? Admiral BADGER. It is, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Admiral, we are very glad to have had the pleasure of hearing you and also to meet you personally. Admiral BADGER. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. I hope you will come down and see us again next spring. We have a very nice place down there, but there has been some trouble in getting there, I understand. [No. 6.] COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, Friday, December 19, 1913. The committee this day met, Hon. Lemuel P. Padgett (chairman) presiding. STATEMENT OF REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD MORGAN WATT, CHIEF BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR. The CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen of the committee, we have with us this morning Admiral Watt, Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair. Admiral, I notice that in the item "Construction and repair of vessels," on page 74, you change the word "aeroplanes" to "air craft." Why do you prefer that change? Admiral WATT. The change was suggested in order to permit the fullest use of air craft. "Aeroplanes" might be interpreted in its narrow sense, of using only one form of machine. It is entirely possible that the airship may develop, so that if the appropriation permits, we may consider it necessary to experiment with an airship. There are various forms airships, aeroplanes, hydroaeroplanes, flying boats, etc. and it was thought that "air craft" was a general term which would cover all forms. From the construction and repair appropriation for the fiscal year 1913 we expended $28,031; from the appropriation for the current fiscal year we have expended to December 10, $26,150. The CHAIRMAN. I notice that the appropriation asked is the same as last year, $8,250,000. Did you have any unexpended balance? Admiral WATT. For the fiscal year of 1913, when the appropriation was $8,479,000, there was a balance of about $205,000. I will append to my hearing the following statements: Appendix I, statement of expenditures by titles under appropriation Construction and repair, 1913." Appendix II, showing "Construction and repair, 1913,” expenditures by navy yards and stations. Appendix III, showing relative expenditures "Construction and repair" appropriations for years 1913 and 1912. Appendix IV, showing the "Construction and repair, 1914," expenditures for the first five months of the current fiscal year. Appendix V, showing expenditures by titles under construction and repair allotment of appropriation "Equipment of vessels, 1913.". Appendix VI, showing expenditures by titles under construction and repair allotment of appropriation "Equipment of vessels, 1914," for the first five months of the current fiscal year. The CHAIRMAN. Last year we reduced it to $8,250,000? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir. In that connection, Mr. Chairman, I thought that this diagram might help me to explain the appropria I have here a chart on which I have plotted the appropriations as made by this committee for the Bureau of Construction and Repair for the last 10 years. The appropriation for the current fiscal year is less than it has been at any time in 10 years, and at the same time the tons displacement of the vessels in the Navy fit for service which this appropriation is designed to keep in repair-has more than doubled. It was 618,000 in 1905 and it is 1,260,000 in 1913. Mr. WITHERSPOON. What is that which has doubled? The CHAIRMAN. The tonnage has increased, while the appropriations have been decreased. We decreased the appropriation last year. Admiral WATT. To a lower point than at any time in 10 years. The CHAIRMAN. You had no unexpended balance last year of any material amount? Admiral WATT. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And during the fiscal year 1915 you will have additional tonnage? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Additional tonnage to take care of? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir. Mr. ROBERTS. The item you speak of is a part of the $8,250,000? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir; that is included in that appropriation. The CHAIRMAN. Is the information in regard to the repairs to vessels in excess of limitation ready to submit? Admiral WATT. The information is in course of preparation. Mr. ROBERTS. Have you any idea what the total will be, roughly, for repairs to ships which were specifically authorized? Admiral WATT. For the specifically authorized repairs and alterations in excess of $200,000 there is no additional appropriationMr. ROBERTS. It is a special authorization? Admiral WATT. It is merely an authorization to make repairs of specified amounts in excess of $200,000 to specific ships from the current appropriations. Mr. ROBERTS. I understood that was what the chairman's question related to? The CHAIRMAN. That is correct. Mr. ROBERTS. And I was asking if you could tell in a general way how much it amounted to? Admiral WATT. I can tell you in a general way that it will be materially less than the amount in this bill. I think it will be approximately $1,000,000 instead of $1,950,000 as was specifically authorized last year. The CHAIRMAN. If there is a reduction of $950,000 on account of that expenditure out of the fund, can the total fund, of which this is a part, be reduced? Admiral WATT. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. For what other purposes will you use it instead of for the authorizations specially provided for? A miral WATT. We will use it for the repair and upkeep of the larger number of ships. Mr. ROBERTS. For the additional tonnage that is coming on? The CHAIRMAN. Under the general authority you have without the special authorization? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir; under the general authority contained in the bill. The CHAIRMAN. I notice on page 77 that you are increasing the amount that may be used for clerical, drafting, inspection, and messenger service in navy yards, naval stations, and offices of superintending naval constructors from $858,039 to $943,100. Please state fully the necessity and the occasion for the increase in this force. Admiral WATT. Until recently the pay of ship keepers was not included in the classified limit, but the Civil Service Commission has recently directed that when any ship keeper is discharged he is to be replaced by a classified employee. The department accordingly directed that this figure be increased so as to provide for the shift of employees from one class of employment to another. The CHAIRMAN. So that instead of paying them out of this authorization you have been paying them out of the general funds? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. This does not increase the general appropriation? Admiral WATT. It in no wise increases the general appropriation. The CHAIRMAN. And because of the civil-service regulation they are to be transferred and paid out of this authorization? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. I notice the following proviso: Provided further, That the Secretary of the Navy is hereby authorized to enter into contract for the use by the Government of dry docks at Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, one of which docks shall be capable of docking the largest vessel that can be passed through the locks of the Panama Canal, for a period not to exceed six years from completion of such dock, at a compensation of not less than $50,000 per annum during said period of six years, the right of the Government to the use of said docks in time of war to be prior and paramount: Provided, That the construction of the large dock shall be undertaken immediately upon entering into this contract and shall be completed within twenty-four months thereafter: And provided further, That said contract shall provide for docking rates not in excess of commercial rates, and for such other conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy prior to entering into such contract. That is the same proposition that was submitted by the former Secretary? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Have you given consideration to this matter and have you investigated it? Admiral WATT. Yes, sir; I have given careful consideration to it. The CHAIRMAN. I will ask you to state what recommendation you submit with reference to this proposition? Admiral WATT. At the present time, should it become necessary to dock one of our large battleships on the west coast, she would have to proceed to Seattle to dock. With the opening of the Panama Canal it is probable that our principal fleet will have periods of duty on the west coast. This provision would permit the docking of these ships at Hunters Point, San Francisco, instead of sending them 900 miles further north. Mr. STEPHENS. Are the present docks at the Mare Island Navy Yard not sufficient? Admiral WATT. We can not get the battleships there; and even though the channel were deep enough to send battleships to the yard, the present docks would not take 10 of the last vessels of the fleet. Mr. STEPHENS. What prevents getting the ships there? 32598-1417 |