SIXTEENTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Cape St. Elias light station, Alaska.-This point is one of the most important to navigation in southern Alaska, being a landfall for nearly all vessels between southeastern and western Alaska and for vessels bound to Prince William Sound. This is a coast frequented by fog and storms and many requests have been received for this aid to navigation, and it is believed to be the most urgently needed in Alaska. SEVENTEENTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Aids to navigation, Puget Sound, Wash.-The navigation of the waters of Puget Sound and adjacent inland waters is dangerous in bad weather, owing to the lack of sufficient aids. Vessels running to Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, and to practically every port on these waters, would be benefited by the establishment of these aids. The leading steamship companies and numerous masters and pilots engaged in these waters have at various times petitioned for them. It is proposed to establish aids at various points, as shown in the list below. Detailed estimate: Acetylene lights in Washington at Lime Kiln, San Juan Island; Apple Cove Point, near Seattle; Marrowstone Point, near Port Townsend; Bush Point, near Port Townsend; Cypress Island, near Bellingham; Point Herron, near Bremerton; and Minor Island, near Smith Island (7 lights, at $1,800 each).... Gas and bell buoys at Partridge Bank, near Whidbey Island, and Hein Bank, near Smith Island, Wash. (2 buoys, at $3,250 each) . Gas buoy (bell of no value because of smooth water) at Duwamish Head, near Improvement of light and fog signal at Slip Point, Clallam Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Wash. (modification of buildings, $1,400; illuminating apparatus, $2,000; fog-signal apparatus, $5,000)... Total..... $12,600 6,500 2,500 8,400 30, 000 Warrior Rock Light Station, Oreg.-The purchase of additional land adjoining this light and fog-signal station is recommended. There is no dwelling for a keeper at this station and the Government does not own sufficient ground on which to build one. The keeper is now allowed $20 per month as commutation of quarters. The property in question consists of approximately 1.61 acres, together with a fairly good dwelling, which is now occupied by the keeper. Orford Reef Light Vessel, Oreg.-By act approved May 27, 1908 (35 Stats., 332), Congress made an appropriation of $2,000 to enable the Lighthouse Board to survey and estimate the cost and report upon the feasibility and need of establishing a light vessel or light station at or near Orford Reef, off Cape Blanco, Oreg. A survey of the locality named was accordingly made by the district officers, who reported that the only satisfactory aid at this locality would be a first-class full-powered light vessel moored off Orford Reef, about three-fourths mile west of Fox Rock. The report of the Commissioner of Lighthouses for 1912 omits this project for more urgent aids, but the representations regarding the commerce passing the reef and its dangerous character have warranted including it in the bill. EIGHTEENTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Point Pinos Light Station, Cal.-The present tower and dwelling at this station were erected in 1855, and improvements are needed; the light was recently changed from fixed to occulting, but there should be a fog signal and quarters for two additional keepers. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, DEAR SIR: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of February 3, 1912, inclosing, with request for the views of this department thereon, a copy of House bill 19331, Sixty-second Congress, second session, "To authorize the completion of the unfinished portion of the Government road from Rollerville to the Point Arena Lighthouse, Mendocino County, California." This project has been on the lighthouse list for improvement for some time, but it has been necessary to defer the work on account of lack of funds, pending the prosecution of more urgent improvements to aids to navigation in the California lighthouse district. It has not been included in the estimates of the Lighthouse Service because of the need for other work considered more important. It is estimated that $3,000 will be required to accomplish the purpose contemplated in the bill, and it is therefore recommended that the word "three" be substituted for the word "one" in line 4, and that the words "five hundred" be omitted from line 5 thereof, and that the words “of the unfinished portion" in the title of the bill and "the unfinished portion of" in line 7 thereof be omitted. If amended as above stated, I recommend that the bill be passed. Respectfully, Hon. W. C. ADAMSON, BENJ. S. CABLE, Acting Secretar Chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. North Farallon Island Light Station, Cal.-The present aids to navigation at the Farallon Islands are inadequate for safe navigation in this vicinity, especially as the location is immediately off the entrance to San Francisco. The fog-signal station at Southeast Farallon is inaudible on the northerly side of that island. Additional aids should be established, and an investigation indicates one should be provided on the North Farallon. This island is one of a number of detached rocks, or islets, varying in height from 90 to 155 feet, and is the nearest to approaching vessels. Many petitions have been received asking for additional aids, and it is therefore recommended that an oil-vapor flashing light, about 140 feet focal plane, with a first-class compressed-air fog signal, be established." Point Vincente Light Station, Cal.-Point Vincente is located between Point Fermin and Point Hueneme, a stretch of some 62 miles without an aid to navigation other than a combination gas and whistling buoy at this point. It is a point of departure for all vessels bound for the north from San Pedro and for coast vessels bound south. The currents here are changeable, and heavy fogs occasionally prevail. This improvement is requested by petitions dated September 21, 1907, September 3, 1909, and October 28, 1909, signed by masters and shipowners. A light and fog signal is probably needed more at Point Vincente than at any other unlighted point on the coast of California. Vessels bound from the north have a stretch of 45 miles from the nearest aid, Hueneme, to Point Vincente; the currents between are uncertain and variable, and the soundings off Point Vincente are of little assistance and give little warning. There have been many narrow escapes off Point Vincente, and even since the gas and whistling buoy has been established several large passenger vessels have passed inside the buoy in fog, narrowly escaping going ashore. It is proposed to establish a flashing light, with a height of about 140 feet, and a first-class compressed-air fog signal. NINETEENTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Aids to navigation, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.-In view of the fact that the Government has authorized the establishment of a naval station at this point, it is essential that the channels and entrance be properly marked. This is rendered more important by the set of the current, which is usually across the channel in the approach, and also on account of the prevailing northeasterly winds. It is reported that the dredging of the channel will be completed in 1912, and the necessary aids to navigation should then be available. It is proposed to establish nine acetylene lighted and nine unlighted beacons, also two gas buoys, at the entrance. Kauhola Point Light Station, Hawan.-Owing to the importance of this station, located near the northern point of the island of Hawaii, steps have been taken to change the present lens-lantern light to a converted flashing fourth-order lens. To support this lantern and lens and to complete the improvement of this station a new tower is necessary. The bill also contains additional legislation granting authority for the purchase of additional land for light stations and depots under rules prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, provided no single acquisition of land shall exceed in cost $500. The Report of the Commissioner of Lighthouses for 1912 says: Authority already exists for the purchase of land for beacon sites and for fog signals (act of Aug. 26, 1912), and it is desired to extend this authority for the objects mentioned. It frequently happens that the growth of trees on adjoining properties interferes with visibility of lights, and it is therefore desired to remedy such conditions without necessitating special legislation in each case (p. 28). The bill also contains legislation to permit supplies and equipment for special works in the Lighthouse Service to be furnished from the general stock, and the appropriation "General expenses, Lighthouse Service," reimbursed from the appropriation for the special work for which the supplies or equipment was furnished. The Report of the Commissioner of Lighthouses for 1912 says: It often happens, when a special item of work is under construction, that many of the articles required are carried in stock at the lighthouse depots. Under the existing law it is not possible to use this stock, except by replacing it with identical articles purchased under the special appropriation. In order to produce a greater economy in the use of articles already on hand, this legislation is considered desirable. The bill also contains legislation to permit the sale of condemned supplies in the Lighthouse Service under sealed proposals, as well as by public auction. This is the method now followed by many municipalities, and it is believed that collusion in bidding will be thereby largely eliminated. The bill also contains legislation to permit an equitable adjustment of the salaries of the lighthouse inspectors, involving an annual increased expense of $4,800. The report of the Commissioner of Lighthouses for 1912 says (pp. 27–28): The salaries of lighthouse inspectors are, by the act of June 17, 1910, limited to $2,400 a year, except the inspector of the third district, whose salary is fixed at $3,600. The salary of $2,400 is inadequate in a number of the districts, because of the heavy responsibilities with which the inspector is charged and the technical and business ability required to successfully discharge the duties. The compensation of these positions should be sufficient to bring into and retain in the Lighthouse Service a class of persons fully competent to efficiently conduct such important work. There are six districts in each of which the annual expenditures exceed $400,000. The inspectors should be men of high character and qualifications, including technical knowledge as to engineering and nautical affairs, and should have business ability. Authority will be asked for the increase of the compensation of inspectors, except in the third district, to an amount not exceeding $3,000 in any district nor an average of $2,700 each. The maximum total increase in compensation under this change is $4,800. The effect of the change would be to permit the salaries to be graded from $2,400 to $3,000, according to the responsibility involved in the work of the various districts. EXTENSION OF TIME, BRIDGE ACROSS ROCK RIVER, COLONA FERRY, ILL. JANUARY 14, 1913.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. SABATH, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 27157.] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 27157) granting an extension of time to construct a bridge across Rock River at or near Colona Ferry, in the State of Illinois, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it pass. The bill has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the letter attached and which is made a part of this report. [Second indorsement.] OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, To the SECRETARY of War. The object of the accompanying bill (H. R. 27157, 62d Cong., 3d sess.) is to extend the time for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge across Rock River at or near Colona Ferry, Ill. The original act authorizing the construction of this bridge, approved August 19, 1911, makes ample provision for the protection of navigation interests, and I know of no objection to the life of the franchise being extended as proposed by the bill under consideration. W. H. BIXBY, Chief of Engineers, United States Ármy. [Third indorsement.] War DepartmENT, January 11, 1913. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, inviting attention to the foregoing report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. ROBERT SHAW OLIVER, O H R-62-3-vol 1-8 |