Rear-Admiral Cowles submitted the following statements on wireless telegraphy and electrical work: By use of the wireless telegraph apparatus on board the ships of the fleet, connection with a cable station, and therefore with washington, was maintained by the fleet on its cruise in the Pacific until after New Zealand had been passed, distances of 1,000 miles between ships being quite frequently spanned. A report from the commander in chief of the fleet states that more and better wireless communication has been held during the cruise than has ever been done heretofore. This report is borne out by the bureau's reports from shore stations which indicate a great increase in the efficiency of the operators and instruments. These results being the direct result of constant practice and the use of all improvements to apparatus that the bureau deems of sufficient value to warrant their purchase. In order to maintain and increase this high state of efficiency it is necessary to replace many of the antiquated and worn-out instruments on the ships, substitute new for old installations, and repair those that may still be retained. For this purpose the bureau estimates that the sum of $150,000 will be necessary. Wireless apparatus of the latest type is to be supplied to all new vessels, including destroyers, and all 'auxiliaries, as this latter class of vessel has proved very valuable in establishing wireless chains across long stretches of ocean without the necessity of disrupting the fighting fleet. For this purpose $200,000 will be necessary. Maintaining the department's shore stations along the coast in efficient condition is a necessity to all the shipping public as the many reports and letters of thanks show. Until such time as it may become possible to intrust all coastwise service to the commercial companies in this field, the bureau is obliged to keep this coast chain of stations in the most efficient condition possible not only for military purposes but in time of peace to warn mariners of the existing weather conditions, to aid them in safely navigating their vessels by supplying them with the correct time, to give notice of derelicts or other dangers of the deep, and to take their messages either of distress or of any urgent nature. For this purpose the bureau contemplates a necessary expenditure of $100,000. Another of these shore stations is contemplated at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, for the purpose of carrying wireless communication into the Bering Sea and connecting with the army wireless telegraph station at Cape Nome. By this means vessels from Nome to San Diego or to the coast of Lower California will at all times be in touch with the means for communication with all parts of the United States and the world. A station at this point will cost $40,000. After the contemplated high-powered station in Washington has been completed and tested it is believed that a similar station will be found necessary in the following localities: The west coast of the United States, the Panama Canal Zone, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Philippines. With stations at the above-named places of a power equal to that station to be established in Washington a vessel will be within call while going to or from or while in practically all waters where naval operations of interest to the United States might be expected. A conservative estimate of the cost of each of these stations is $100,000. Résumé. Maintenance of installations on board vessels of the navy. Maintenance of the present installations of the shore stations on the coast.. West coast of the United States (amount of current appropriation). $50,000 70,000 30,000 50,000 100,000 40,000 60,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 An increase of about $200,000 is required for repairs and stores for vessels in commission. This item is increasing from year to year, due to increase in size of vessels, additional requirements for power and interior communication, and the older vessels requiring additional repairs. For new material the requirement for fire-control telephones and accessories is estimated at $50,000. These are subject to constant and hard use from drill for record and battle practice, and are subject to great deterioration. For new searchlights, to comply with the latest arrangements for the torpedo defense of ships, an estimated expenditure of about $300,000. This is to replace old lights and to provide two additional lights for each armored vessel to increase the total number to eight for each ship. In addition to the above, the four vessels of the Colorado class will require extensive repairs and partial renewal of their electric plants. This item is expected to cost $200,000 for the four vessels. Similar repairs will have to be made on the New Jersey and Rhode Island, at an estimated cost of $150,000. It is further desired to fit out the U. S. S. Ingalls as a mother boat for submarines, with a complete charging plant and all other necessary electrical equipment for the accommodation of the crews of the submarines and the supply of their necessary needs. This will probably cost $40,000. In addition to the above, it is probable that before the close of the fiscal year 1911 some of the submarines will require new batteries, upon which they are entirely dependent when submerged. It is the bureau's policy as fast as the present reciprocating engines used with generators require replacement to substitute turbo-generators, on account of the decreased weight and space and lack of vibration that are obtained from the turbine type. Complete new sets of turbo-generators will be required for the California and South Dakota during the year, the present sets giving much trouble and requiring constant repairs. In addition to the above, general overhauling of the Missouri and Ohio-and extensive changes will be made in those vessels-will require large expenditures under this bureau. The above is in the nature of an increase over the ordinary expenditures for the upkeep of electrical plants and their accessories in vessels now in commission, the requirements for which are increasing from year to year as new appliances are added, these being necessary to keep the vessels in first-class condition and up to date. List of vessels requiring general overhauling, and approximate amounts required under Bureau of Equipment. [No. 5.] THE COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, Thursday, December 9, 1909. STATEMENT OF REAR-ADMIRAL R. C. HOLLYDAY, CHIEF, BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS. The CHAIRMAN. The first item is "Bureau of Yards and Docks. Maintenance of yards and docks: For general maintenance of yards and docks, namely: For books, maps, models, and drawings; purchase and repair of fire engines; fire apparatus and plants; machinery;" etc. The language is the same until we get down to "postage on letters and other mailable matter on public service sent to foreign countries, and telegrams," which is new. Why is that inserted? Has not that been taken care of by the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts? Admiral HOLLYDAY. Yes, sir; I think it was. - The CHAIRMAN. Do you know why it was inserted in the bill? Admiral HOLLYDAY. No, sir; I do not know why it was put in. It was not at my suggestion. The CHAIRMAN. The idea is to segregate all these things? Admiral HOLLYDAY. I thought the idea was to put these things in the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts. The CHAIRMAN. You do not recommend it? Admiral HOLLYDAY. I do not know how it happened to be put in the bill. It is a matter of indifference to me, but I think it had better be left out. It will not make any practical difference in the amount of money. It is a very small item. The appropriation is $1,500,000, and so small an amount would not make any difference. Mr. PADGETT. What was the amount that was included in the million five hundred thousand dollars for the two items in the middle of the page and "advertising for yards and docks and for other purposes?" Admiral HOLLYDAY. Nothing was included because it was not the intention to include these items in the bill. The CHAIRMAN. Has the item, "advertising for yards and docks and other purposes" been under the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts? Admiral HOLLYDAY. That was probably included in one of the appropriations in the Secretary's office. The CHAIRMAN. The estimate, $1,500,000, is the same as the amount appropriated last year? Admiral HOLLYDAY. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And the provision, "That the sum to be paid out of this appropriation under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy for clerical, inspection, drafting, messenger, and other classified work in the navy-yards and naval stations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, shall not exceed $425,000," is the same. Admiral HOLLYDAY. That is the same as for the current year. The CHAIRMAN. Have you furnished a statement as to the clerks, inspectors, etc.? Admiral HOLLYDAY. The statement will not be due till the end of the fiscal year 1910. The law requires that it be furnished by the Secretary of the Navy. The CHAIRMAN. You make no increase? Admiral HOLLYDAY. No, sir. Mr. LOUDENSLAGER. Could not this estimate be reduced? Mr. LOUDENSLAGER. This seems to be a pretty large amount, considering what it was eight or ten years ago. Admiral HOLLYDAY. The items are all large, considering what they were eight or ten years ago. Last year the appropriation was $1,500,000, and it will just about take us through this year. That appropriation has been increased from time to time as the work has grown; but we are not asking for any increase this year and hope to get through all right. You see, it takes care of items which were not formerly included-central power plants and "Civil establishment," for instance. There is no such appropriation as "Civil establishment" now; everything for clerical, drafting, inspection, and messenger force is to be paid from the "Maintenance" appropriation. Before these items were paid from the appropriations for public works and "Civil establishment." The CHAIRMAN. You think that you must have all this amount? Admiral HOLLYDAY. Yes, sir; every dollar. The CHAIRMAN. The next item is "Contingent, Bureau of Yards and Docks," and the estimate is the same as the appropriation last year? Admiral HOLLYDAY. Yes, sir; that is for unusual occurrences. Admiral HOLLYDAY. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. I wish you would furnish the committee with a statement of the expenditures under this item during the last fiscal year. Admiral HOLLYDAY. That is published in my annual report. Expenditures under appropriation “Contingent, Yards and Docks, 1909,” for fiscal year |