The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
CON TEN TS.
(For complete alphabetical index to this report, see page 149.)
^
Page.
Travel allowance to Department employees...........................................................
Representatives to meetings and conventions........................................................
The American-Canadian Fisheries Conference........................................................
Vessels of the Department’s marine services...........................................................
Indictments resulting from Eastland disaster..........................................................
A permanent home for the Department of Commerce...........................................
Coast and Geodetic Survey........................................................................................
Bureau of Fisheries.....................................................................................................
Laboratory-aquarium..................................................................................................
Bureau of Standards...................................................................................................
Bureau of the Census..................................................................................................
An archives building..................................................................................................
Urgent needs of the Department...............................................................................
Appropriations and expenditures..............................................................................
Estimates for fiscal year ending June 30, 1920........................................................
Personnel...................................................................................................
Printing and binding..................................................................................................
Motor vehicles.............................................................................................................
Stock and shipping section........................................................................................
Department library.....................................................................................................
The Division of Supplies...........................................................................................
Liberty Loans and War Savings Stam ps.................................................................
Purchase of Dutch Harbor, Alaska...........................................................................
Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Peace.................................................
Abolition of the Official Register..............................................................................
Status of proposed legislation affecting the Department.......................................
Development of waterways........................................................................................
Work of the Solicitor’» .Office.....................................................................................
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce...........................................................
Balance of trade in favor of United States.......................................................
Working policy....................................................................................................
German trade.......................................................................................................
Independence of German chemicals...................................................
Defeating German commercial plots
................
Commercial attachés...........................................................................................
Trade commissioners (traveling commercial agents).....................
Investigations completed during the year........................................................
Investigations in progress...................................................................................
Statistical division..............................................................................................
Latin American division....................................................................................
Far eastern division............................................................................................
3
7
7
7
8
9
9
10
n
n
11
12
13
13
14
27
32
37
41
42
42
43
43
44
44
44
44
45
45
47
48
48
48
4p
50
50
51
52
54
56
57
58
4
CONTENTS.
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce— Continued.
Page.
Division of foreign tariffs...................................................................................
58
District offices......................................................................................................
59
Editorial division................................................................................................
60
Statistical preparation for after-war trade........................................................
60
New plan to stimulate foreign trade.................................................................
60
Recommendations...............................................................................................
61
Bureau of Standards..................................................................................................
65
Aeronautical research.........................................................................................
66
Airplane power plants.........................................................................................
68
Standardization of munitions master gauges...................................................
69
Optical instruments and light............................................................................
70
Mine and railroad-track scales...........................................................................
73
Standardization of timepieces............................................................................
74
Sound and acoustics............................................................................................
74
Electrical research and testing..........................................................................
75
Public utilities..................................................
76
Heat and temperature........................................................................................
78
Researches on metals and alloys.......................................................................
79
Testing of instruments and materials...............................................................
81
Materials..............................................................................................................
82
Chemistry.............................................................................................................
83
Standardization of sugar technology.................................................................
83
The Bureau’s work for the soldier.....................................................................
84
The metric system...............................................................................................
85
The importance of guaranteed standards in industry...................................
85
Bureau of the Census.................................................................................................
88
Current and completed work on statutory inquiries.......................................
88
Census of manufactures...............................................................................
88
Census of transportation by water.............................................................
88
Census of shipbuilding................................................................................
89
Census of electrical industries....................................................................
89
Vital statistics........ .....................................................................................
89
Financial statistics of cities........................................................................
90
General statistics of cities...........................................................................
90
Financial statistics of States.......................................................................
91
Cotton and cotton seed................................................................................
91
Stocks of leaf tobacco..................................................................................
91
Work pertaining to special classes of the population..............................
92
Religious bodies...........................................................................................
92
Official Register...........................................................................................
92
War work..............................................................................................................
92
Work done by the Bureau for other governmental establishments. . . .
92
Special and miscellaneous lines of work...........................................................
97
Marriage and divorce...................................................................................
97
Census of the Virgin Islands.......................................................................
97
United States life tables.............................................................................
98
Statistical director}- of State institutions..................................................
98
Searching of census records to determine ages.........................................
98
Tabulation of data for disputed areas of Europe and Africa..................
98
Preparations for the Fourteenth Census...........................................................
98
Mechanical equipment.......................................................................................
99
Work in mechanical laboratory..................................................................
99
Integrating counter......................................................................................
100
Office force...........................................................................................................
100
CONTENTS.
5
Page.
Office room and storage space............................................................................
Bureau of Fisheries.....................................................................................................
Propagation of food fishes...................................................................................
Record work in rescuing stranded food fishes.......................................
Increasing the consumption of fish...................................................................
Development of aquatic sources of leather......................................................
A fishery-products laboratory. ..........................................................................
Administration of Alaskan fisheries.....................
Alaska fur-seal industry.....................................................................................
Census of Alaska seal herd.................................................................................
Revenue from Pribilof Islands products..........................................................
A by-products plant for Pribilof Islands..........................................................
Minor Alaskan fur-bearing animals...................................................................
Pensonnel............................................................................................•...............
Bureau of Lighthouses...............................................................................................
Coast and Geodetic S urvey.......................................................................................
Field w ork...................................................................................................., . . .
Hydrography.......................................................................................................
Geodesy................................................................................
Need for survey vessels......................................................................................
Wire-drag launches..............................................................................................
Enlistment of seamen.........................................................................................
Additional hydrographic and geodetic engineers...........................................
Office needs.........................................................................................................
Instrument makers....................................................................................
Retirement for commissioned officers.......................................................
Recent legislation...............................................................................................
Steamboat-Inspection Service..................................................................................
Organization.........................................................................................................
Summary of activities and statistics.................................................................
Part in the war with Germany..........................................................................
Examination of interned vessels........................................................................
Important legislation..........................................................................................
The spirit of the service.....................................................................................
Bureau of Navigation.................................................................................................
Shipping commissioners.....................................................................................
Navigation receipts.............................................................................................
Radio communication........................................................................................
Enforcement of the navigation laws.................................................................
Tonnage admeasurement....................................................................................
Motorboats..........................................................................................................
Conclusion...................................................................................................................
I ndex ...........................................................................................................................
ioo
102
102
103
104
103
106
107
107
108
109
no
110
in
112
119
120
121
125
123
128
128
130
130
133
133
135
137
137
137
138
140
141
141
143
145
145
145
146
147
147
148
149
ANNUAL REPORT
O F TH E
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
D e pa r tm en t of C om m erce ,
O f f ic e of th e S e c r e t a r y ,
Washington, October 30, 1918.
T o the P r e s id e n t :
I have the honor to submit herewith my sixth annual report,
covering the operations and condition of the Department during
the fiscal year which ended June 30, 1918. It traces in a general
way its operations to October 1, 1918.
Travel Allowance to Department Employees.
The unjust practice continues requiring some of our employees on
small salaries who travel on Government business to pay, in large
part, their own expenses. I renew my request that the law be
changed to permit paying the necessary expenses of employees
when required to travel on Government work.
Representatives to Meetings and Conventions.
When representatives from the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the
Bureau of Fisheries, the Bureau of the Census, and other services
are called upon to address conventions and meetings on the work
conducted by them, they can not go unless they pay their own
expenses or the expenses are paid by the organization they address.
By special provision of law the Bureau of Standards may and does
send representatives to meetings and conventions at public expense.
This privilege should be extended to all other bureaus of the
Department.
The American-Canadian Fisheries Conference.
The American-Canadian Fisheries Conference was appointed by
the Governments of the United States and the Dominion of Can
ada for the purpose of considering and adjusting the differences
between the two countries on the subject of fisheries. The con7
8
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
ference held its first session in Washington on January 16, 1918,
and later conducted hearings in Boston; Gloucester; St. John,
New Brunswick; Seattle, Wash.; Prince Rupert, British Colum
bia; Ketchikan, Alaska; Vancouver, British Columbia; New
Westminster, British Columbia; and Ottawa, Canada. The final
meeting of the conference was held at the Hotel Champlain, New
York, on September 6. A report was then signed and transmitted
to the Secretary of State of the United States and to the Governor
in Council of the Dominion of Canada. The report is unanimous,
and it is hoped will lead to a satisfactory and permanent solution
of the problems considered.
Vessels of the Department’s Marine Services.
The first-class seagoing lighthouse tender Cedar was placed in
commission in Alaska in August, 1917, and has rendered satis
factory service.
Three of the older vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries, the Gram
pus, Curlew, and Blue Wing, having outlived their* usefulness,
have been condemned and sold.
The small Fisheries steamer Halcyon, which was taken over by
the Navy on May 14, 1917, made the fine record of 98.20 per cent
on patrol service during the past severe winter, only two ships out
of over a hundred making a higher record.
The Department had the following vessels in its marine service
on October 1, 1918:
Service.
N ot in
operation.
i
0
0
5
9
2
0
1
3
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ............................
Bureau of N avigation .......................................
Bureau of Lighthouses;
Tenders.........................................................
Loaned to
N a v y De
partm ent.
In opera
tion.
Being
built.
Total.
3
63
6
0
0
47
L igh t vessels................................................
Bureau of F isheries..........................................
0
0
2
3
0
4
SO
68
10
T o ta l..........................................................
77
*
2
60
140
This is exclusive of 4 vessels loaned to the Coast and Geodetic
Survey by the Philippine Government and of 54 motor boats of all
sizes operated by the Bureau of Fisheries.
On February 4, 1918, Cross Rip Light Vessel No. 6, Mass., was
dragged from her station by ice and was lost with all the crew of
six. On August 6, 1918, Diamond Shoal Light Vessel No. 71,
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
N. C., was sunk at her station by an enemy submarine.
were all saved.
9
The crew
No Trials Under Indictments Resulting from “ Eastland” Disaster.
Last year I called attention to the fact that the courts had not
acted under existing indictments in the matter of the licensed
officers who were in charge of the steamer Eastland when she sank.
No action has yet been taken. The attention of the proper au
thorities has been called to the delay of over three years.
A Permanent Home for the Department of Commerce.
This matter has been referred to repeatedly in my annual
reports and the reports of the Public Buildings Commission,
authorized to ascertain what public buildings are needed to pro
vide permanent quarters for all Government activities in the
District of Columbia.
The buildings occupied by the Department of Commerce and
covered by the following statement are:
1. Commerce Building, Nineteenth Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue NW.
2. Bureau of Fisheries Building, Sixth and B Streets SW.
3. Coast and Geodetic Survey Building, New Jersey Avenue
near B Street SE., directly opposite the House of Representatives
Office Building.
The buildings of the Bureau of Standards, located on Pierce
Mill Road, near Connecticut Avenue, are excluded.
As the new Commerce Building contemplated by existing law
(36 Stat., 698) should include the Coast and Geodetic Survey
(releasing the property occupied by that service for other uses), and
also the offices (not the laboratories) of the Bureau of Fisheries,
it is treated first.
Five of the eight services of the Department and the divisions
of the Secretary’s Office are in the Commerce Building. With the
normal growth of these services, which are the Bureaus of the
Census, Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Navigation, Lighthouses,
and the Steamboat-Inspection Service, the building will be too
small before a new one can be constructed. It is now crowded.
The annual rent is $65,500, which, though one of the lowest
rentals per square foot in the District, represents, capitalized at 3
per cent, a valuation of $2,183,333. It is a satisfactory structure.
IO
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
My preference would be that the Department of Commerce should
be housed in a building of commercial character.
Land for a new building was acquired for the then Department
of Commerce and Labor under the act of May 30, 1908 (35 Stat.,
545), and, by the act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat., 698), the Secretary
of the Treasury was directed to prepare designs and estimates for
a fireproof building. On March 3, 1913, the plans for the pro
posed building for the Department of Commerce and Labor were
approved by my predecessor. Since then three bureaus of the
former Department have been transferred to the Department of
Labor. One has gone to the Federal Trade Commission. Two
of the present bureaus were omitted from the plans. The build
ing, redesigned, should be made to accommodate the office, the
lithographing establishment and its accessories, the drawing room
and the instrument shop of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and
the administrative offices of the Bureau of Fisheries. If this were
done, the property on Capitol Hill adjoining the Public Health
Service, opposite the House Office Building and close to the
Capitol itself, could be used for other purposes.
The lease of the present Commerce Building expired on August
31, 1918, and was renewed for 10 months, with privilege of renewal
for a further period of 1 year.
The public interests, as they relate to this Department, will be
advanced by redesigning the proposed Commerce Building as above
suggested and by its construction at as early a date as possible.
Until such time as a permanent home is provided for the Depart
ment, authority is needed for the rental of an additional building
containing approximately 10,000 square feet of office space. This
is required by the increase of work. This additional space is
particularly needed now to relieve congestion in the Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
Coast and Geodetic Survey.
The buildings occupied by the Coast and Geodetic Survey are
kept in a sanitary condition by persistent effort, but money is
daily wasted in their occupancy. The buildings are five and six
stories high, respectively, with 16 different levels in one and n
different levels in the other. Anything more ill-suited for their
use can hardly be imagined. On pages 218-220 of my report for
1917 I gave in detail the needs of an office building for the Coast
and Geodetic Survey. These needs have been for a time relieved
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
II
in part by the allotment of a fund from your appropriation for
national security and defense for constructing a plain, two-story,
fireproof building to house and enlarge the instrument shop, the
drawing room, and the carpenter shop, all of which are actively
engaged in war work. This building is now under construction.
It will include a fireproof vault for the original records of the
service.
Bureau of Fisheries.
The structure occupied by the Bureau of Fisheries is unsuited
to the growing work of the service and is a fire menace. By great
care and by expenditure which is in no small part waste, the build
ing is kept in fair condition. As an efficient working tool, however,
it is hopeless. On July 2, 1918, you allotted $125,000 from the
fund for the national security and defense for a laboratory for
the Bureau of Fisheries. This laboratory, which is to be located
in Washington, will be equipped for experimentation in methods
of preparing and preserving fish foods and other fishery products.
The specifications for the building are prepared; it will be erected
at the earliest possible date.
Laboratory-Aquarium.
I again call attention to the need of a laboratory-aquarium for
the Bureau of Fisheries. (See pp. 12-14 °f the Annual Report for
1917.) The mere mention of an aquarium may call up a picture
of a popular resort with a certain incidental educational value.
This would be an error. The proposed laboratory-aquarium would,
first of*all, be a laboratory in which the development of the food
supply of the country would have the chief consideration. It
would be in substance what an experiment station is to the De
partment of Agriculture, and would perform a similar function
as regards food for the country.
Bureau of Standards.
Owing to the rapid expansion of the Bureau’s work in metals
upon our entrance in the war and the critical importance of
metallurgy in its many military applications, an allotment was
made by you on August 30, 1917, from the fund for national
security and defense of $250,000 for the erection of a laboratory
for standardization of metals, appliances, and instruments for
12
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
military purposes. This building is in use. It provides suitable
housing for other lines of military standardization.
The radio laboratory, for which a special appropriation of
$90,000 was provided by Congress, is completed and occupied
by the Bureau and the representatives of the War and Navy
Departments. It gives increased facilities for radio work, although,
owing to the rapid expansion of this work since the war began, the
building is not now large enough. It may be necessary to continue
some radio work in another building.
The erection of an airplane-engine research laboratory for the
Bureau of Standards will be commenced in the near future.
The importance of the airplane program and the fact that the
Bureau has long been continuously studying the underlying
scientific principles involved in aircraft design and improvement
for both Army and Navy made it necessary to provide suitably
equipped housing for researches on airplane motors. This build
ing will house four dynamometers, the refrigration plant, two
altitude laboratories, and the necessary equipment for running
altitude tests of airplane engines. In this laboratory studies of
airplane engines may be made under conditions which simulate
high altitudes as to air pressure, air movement, and temperature,
for altitudes near the surface and up to as high as.4.0,000feet. These
researches are enabling the Bureau to furnish the aviation services
of both Army and Navy with new and reliable data for improving
the efficiency of operation and control of airplane engines.
Special attention is invited to the recommendation respecting
guaranteed standards in industry on page 85 of this report.
4
Bureau of the Census.
With each recurring census period and for about three years’
time in each period the force of the Census Bureau is raised to
about seven times its regular size. It is, of course, impossible to
quarter any of this increase in the present Commerce Building.
Were the new Commerce Building to be begun in the immediate
future, a portion of it might be utilized to house some of this
great additional force. Failing this, some of the special buildings
occupied for war purposes may be used, provided they are not
then required for war work and are in sufficiently good condition.
The census period commences July 1, 1919; the buildings would
have to be ready for use by or about that time. Failing one or
another of these expedients, if the war should continue it may be
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
13
difficult to provide in Washington at any reasonable cost the
necessary quarters for the census force.
At this time a measure (H. R. 11984) is pending providing for
the Fourteenth Decennial Census— that of 1920. In preparing
this measure a careful study was made of previous census legisla
tion and experience. The pending bill is an advance over previous
practice in every respect. It is essential that the measure be
enacted by the present Congress, for the census period begins
with July 1, 1919, and if authority of law is not provided prior
to that time for taking the census of 1920, there will be added
expense in doing the work, and the work itself will be delayed and
its quality will be endangered.
An Archives Building.
The public buildings act of March 4, 1913, authorized the prep
aration of a design for an archives building, and the Secretary of
the Treasury was authorized to select a site. The Public Build
ings Commission has recommended squares 294 and 295 for such
purposes.
In the recapitulation of space for the executive departments and
independent establishments, 85,000 cubic feet are shown as needed
by the Department of Commerce. It would not be sufficient,
however, to have the Department’s records given mere storage
space. They are in constant use back to the beginnings of the
Government, and the building should be so designed as to have
them readily accessible. A small working force of librarians
would be necessary.
Urgent Needs of the Department.
Among the urgent needs of the Department are:
1. Enlargement of the funds and the organization of the Bureau
of Foreign and Domestic Commerce to make same adequate at
home and abroad for the vital work that will be forced upon it
at the war’s close. This provision should immediately be made.
More commercial attachés are needed abroad, and proper provision
should be made for their clerks.
2. Two seagoing vessels and wire-drag launches for the Coast
and Geodetic Survey and officers and crews for them.
3. Barger clerical force in the field service of the SteamboatInspection Service and in the office of the Coast and Geodetic
14
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Survey, together with more draftsmen and computers at more
adequate salaries in the latter service.
4. Provision, as above indicated, for the census of 1920 and
arrangements for housing the increased force necessary at that
time.
5. A building at the Bureau of Standards for a suitable power
plant. The original installation has long since proved too small,
and steps should be taken at once to provide a suitable and
efficient heating and lighting plant.
6. A laboratory-aquarium for the Bureau of Fisheries.
7. A Government-owned commerce building to house all services
except the Bureau of Standards and the laboratory-aquarium of
the Bureau of Fisheries.
8. An assistant to the Secretary of Commerce to aid in the
greatly increased volume of work.
Appropriations and Expenditures.
The itemized statement of the disbursements from the contin
gent fund of the Department of Commerce and the appropriation
for “ General expenses, Bureau of Standards,’' for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1918, required to be submitted to Congress by
section 193 of the Revised Statutes of the United States; the
itemized statement of expenditures under all appropriations for
propagation of food fishes during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1918, required by the act of Congress approved March 3, 1887
(24 Stat., 523); and a statement showing travel on official business
by officers and employees (other than special agents, inspectors,
and employees who, in the discharge of their regular duties, are
required to travel constantly) from Washington to points outside
of the District of Columbia during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1918, as required by the act of Congress approved May 22, 1908
(35 Stat., 244), will be transmitted to Congress in the usual form.
The table following shows the total amounts of all appropria
tions for the various bureaus and services of the Department of
Commerce for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Legislative
act.
Bureau.
S u n d ry civil
act.
$306,600.00
64,030.00 $6,553,950.00
Deficiency
act.
Special
act.
N ational se
cu rity and
defense.
15
Total.
$6,900.00
$6,000.000.00 $6,313,500.00
346,952- 56
6,964,932.56
1,383,460.00
1,383,460.00
Bureau of Foreign and Do479.120.00
227.980.00
759.900.00
25,550.00
513.670.00
229,349. 21
1,395,000.00
2,711,987-38
75,000.00
105,000.00
668,265.00
1,388,560.00
i, 520, 760.00
9,000.00
$1,369. 21
65,000.00
492,087.38
i , 190,560.00
i , 3 7 9 , 9 ?o-oo
123,000.00
35, 790. 00
Steamboat-Inspection Serv5,925.00
662,340.00
T o ta l............................. 31883,430.00 9, 189,480. 00 1.019,654.94
Increase of com pensation.. . 449,871- IS
Allotm ent for printing and
400,000. 00
1,369. 21 7,600,550.00 21,694.484.15
44 9 ,87J. 15
4. 3 3 3 »3 0 1 - *5 9. 589,480.00 1,019,654. 94
1,369. 21 7,600,550.00 22 , 54 4 - 3 5 5 -3 0
400.OOO. 00
The disbursements by the authorized disbursing officers of the
Department of Commerce during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1918, arranged according to items of appropriation, are as follows:
By Disbursing Clerk, Department of Commerce.
OFFICE OF TH E SE CR ET A R Y .
Salaries, Office of the Secretary of Commerce, 1917................................
Salaries, Office of the Secretary of Commerce, 1918................................
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1916...........................
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1917...........................
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1918...........................
Rent, Department of Commerce, 1917......................................................
Rent, Department of Commerce, 1918......................................................
Total...................................................................................................
$7, 248. 77
168,304. 08
i,
059.46
19,
776.36
92,714.99
5) 958-34
60,541.66
355,603.66
BU R E A U OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE.
Salaries, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, 1917..................
Salaries, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, 1918..................
Promoting Commerce, Department of Commerce, 1917..........................
Promoting Commerce, Department of Commerce, 1918.........................
Promoting Commerce, South and Central America, 1917.......................
Promoting Commerce, South and Central America, 1918.......................
Commercial attachés, Department of Commerce,
1917............
Commercial attachés, Department of Commerce,
1918............
National security and defense, Department of Commerce, export con
trol.............................................................................................................
National security and defense, Department of Commerce, inland
waterways.........................................................................................................
National security and defense, Department of Commerce, import and
export statistics........................................................................................
Total...................................................................................................
5,
185.65
136,
532.64
8,435. J6
52, 680. 17
4,399.61
29,431. 62
2,051.64
4,437.25
33)429-76
5*8-14
8, 550. 28
285,651.92
16
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
BU R E A U OF STANDARDS.
Salaries, Bureau of Standards, 1917..........................................................
Salaries, Bureau of Standards, 1918..........................................................
Equipment, Bureau of Standards, 1916....................................................
Equipment, Bureau of Standards, 1917....................................................
Equipment, Bureau of Standards, 1918....................................................
General expenses, Bureau of Standards, 1916..........................................
General expenses, Bureau of Standards, 1917..........................................
General expenses, Bureau of Standards, 1918.........................................
Testing structural materials, Bureau of Standards, 1917........................
Testing structural materials, Bureau of Standards, 1918........................
Improvement and care of grounds, Bureau of Standards, 1917..............
Improvement and care of grounds, Bureau of Standards, 1918..............
Investigation of fire-resisting properties, Bureau of Standards, 1916__
Investigation of fire-resisting properties, Bureau of Standards, 1917. ■ .
Investigation of flrc-rcsisting properties, Bureau of Standards, 19x8.. .
Testing machines, Bureau of Standards, 1916..........................................
Testing machines, Bureau of Standards, 1917..........................................
Testing machines, Bureau of Standards, 1918..........................................
Testing railroad scales, etc., Bureau of Standards, 1916.........................
Testing railroad scales, etc., Bureau of Standards, 1917.........................
Testing railroad scales, etc., Bureau of Standards, 1918.........................
Investigation of public-utility standards, Bureau of Standards, 1917. .
Investigation of public-utility standards, Bureau of Standards, 1918. .
High-potential investigations, Bureau of Standards, 1916......................
High-potential investigations, Bureau of Standards, 1917.....................
High-potential investigations, Bureau of Standards, 1918......................
Investigation of railway materials, Bureau ^f Standards, 1917..............
Investigation of railway materials, Bureau of Standards, 1918..............
Refrigeration constants, Bureau of Standards, 1917................................
Testing miscellaneous materials, Bureau of Standards, 1917.................
Testing miscellaneous materials, Bureau of Standards, 1918.................
Radio research, Bureau of Standards, 1916..............................................
Radio research, Bureau of Standards, 1917..............................................
Radio research, Bureau of Standards, 1918..............................................
Equipping Chemical Laboratory building, Bureau of Standards, 19161917 ................................................................................. ......................
Equipping Chemical Laboratory building, Bureau of Standards, 19171918 ........................................................................................................
Investigation of clay products, Bureau of Standards, 1917...................
Investigation of clay products, Bureau of Standards, 1918....................
Determining physical constants, Bureau of Standards, 1917.................
Determining physical constants, Bureau of Standards, 1918.................
Color standardization, Bureau of Standards, 1917...................................
Color standardization, Bureau of Standards, 1918...................................
Radio Laboratory, Bureau of Standards...................................................
Chemical Laboratory, Bureau of Standards.............................................
Laboratory, Bureau of Standards...............................................................
Workshop and storehouse, Bureau of Standards......................................
Standardizing mechanical appliances, Bureau of Standards, 1917........
Standardizing mechanical appliances, Bureau of Standards, 1918........
Investigation of optical glass, 1918............................................................
Gauge standardization, Bureau of Standards, 1917-18............................
$12, 424. 10
304, 454- 55
474. 09
14, 163. 48
47,108. 08
24-33
8,247.31
25,318.08
8, 522. 92
132, 133- 12
2, 645. 68
4, 752- 00
i 5- 38
6, 555- 63
22, 349- 34
2,264. 5°
4, 441- 97
22, 735- 46
6. 46
4,140. 24
28,631. 97
I, 960. 06
45, 935- 49
150. 00
1, 052. 82
11, 189. 45
2,071. 79
11, 514. 28
547- 56
2, 477- 9°
19, 169. 62
I . OO
2, O72. 29
8 ,495- 41
t 9. 5W- 52
24, 581- 77
761. 26
10, 877. 26
1, 394- 95
4, 760. 32
2, 245- 15
8,358- 54
56, 761. 52
2, 553- 80
598- 45
17. OO
6,716.05
9>553- 99
8, 993- 62
141,989. 44
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
17
Militär)- research, Bureau of Standards, 1917-18.....................................
Military research, Bureau of Standards, 1918-19...................................
Investigation of mine scales and cars, Bureau of Standards, 191S-19..
National security and defense, Bureau of Standards, production of
optical glass..............................................................................................
National security and defense, Bureau of Standards, new building. . .
National security and defense, Bureau of Standards, metallurgical
work...........................................................................................................
National security and defense, Bureau of Standards, production of
fabrics........................................................................................................
National security and defense, Bureau of Standards, industrial labora
tory............................................................................................................
National security and defense, Bureau of Standards, Roberts by
product coke oven ...................................................................................
National security and defense, Bureau of Standards, thermite investi
gation.........................................................................................................
$361, 754. 21
49, 971. 18
439. 67
Total...................................................................................................
74,443- 08
232, 532, 39
40,579.65
326. 75
257,310.9 3
1,929. 15
7.00
2,077,043.01
STEAM BOAT-INSPECTION SE R V IC E .
Salaries, Office of Supervising Inspector General, Steamboat-Inspection
Service, 1917............................................................................................
Salaries, Office of Supervising Inspector General, Steamboat-Inspection
Service, 1918.............................................................................................
Salaries, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1917..........................................
Salaries, Steamboat-Inspection Service,1918...........................................
Clerk hire, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1917......................................
Clerk hire, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1918......................................
Contingent expenses, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1916....................
Contingent expenses, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1917....................
Contingent expenses, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1918....................
Steamboat-Inspection Service, Tampa,Fla., 1918.................................
Total...................................................................................................
685. 03
17,349.70
33, 586. 59
381,089.05
7,165. 67
81,675. 27
81. 23
19,389. 16
78, 537. 49
3,942- 69
623,501.88
BU R E A U OP N AVIGATION .
Salaries, Bureau of Navigation, 1917........................................................
Salaries, Bureau of Navigation, 1918. .......................................................
Clerk hire, shipping service, 19 17.............................................................
Clerk hire, shipping service, 1918..............................................................
Salaries, shipping service, 1917..................................................................
Salaries, shipping service, 1918.................................................................
Contingent expenses, shipping service, 1917............................................
Contingent expenses, shipping service, 1918............................................
Preventing overcrowding of passenger vessels, 1917...............................
Preventing overcrowding of passenger vessels, 1918...............................
Enforcement of navigation laws, 1917.......................................................
Enforcement of navigation laws, 1918......................................................
Enforcement of wireless-communication laws, 1916...............................
Enforcement of wireless-communication laws, 1917...............................
Enforcement of wireless-communication laws, 1918................................
87481—18----- 2
1, 485. 30
35,662.22
3, 246. 54
40,385. 01
2,369.77
25,438. 07
856. 44
5, 544- 34
2,037. 31
15, 244. 21
895. 63
36, 737. 24
1,258. 50
4, 556. 98
34, 612. 32
18
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Admeasurement of vessels, 1917................................................................
Admeasurement of vessels, 19x8................................................................
$237.31
2,091. 21
Total...................................................................................................
212,638.4°
B U R E A U OF F ISH E R IE S.
Salaries, Bureau of Fisheries, 1917............................................................
Salaries, Bureau of Fisheries, 19x8............................................................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1916.................................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1917.................................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1918.................................
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1916..............................
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1917..............................
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1918..............................
Marine biological station, Florida........................................ ..................
Payment to Great Britain and Japan under Article X I of Fur-Seals
Convention of 1911...................................................................................
Motor launches, Alaska fisheries service, 1917...................•.....................
Developing aquatic sources of leather, 1917-18.......................................
Repairs to steamer Fish Hawk....................................................................
Investigating damages to fisheries.............................................................
Buildings and improvements, fur-seal islands, Alaska............................
Launch for fish hatcheries, Mississippi River V alley..............................
Fish hatcheries:
Bozeman, Mont.....................................................................................
Cape Vincent, N. Y .............................................................................
Clackamas, Oreg...................................................................................
Cold Spring, G a....................................................................................
Edenton, N. C .......................................................................................
Puget Sound, Wash..............................................................................
Rhode Island.........................................................................................
South Carolina......................................................................................
Utah.......................................................................................................
Wyoming................................................................................................
Vessels, fish hatchery, Boothbay Harbor, Me., 1915-16..........................
National security and defense, food-fish supply......................................
National security and defense, rescuing food fish...................................
National security and defense, seal-oil plant...........................................
Total...................................................................................................
26,820. 84
361,831. 71
257. 74
53, 268. 24
413,239.12
214. 67
2,132. 38
101,297. 04
20,116. 75
20,000.00
499.84
1,382. 82
21.10
8, 219. 44
14, 906. 31
3, 355. 00
2.86
35- 65
613. 75
52. 70
7- 5°
6,847.33
4,000.00
2,451. 73
12.824.32
5, 263.99
4>421. 70
6,970. 52
5,280. 42
4,357. 30
1,080,694.99
B U R E A U OF THE C E N SU S.
Salaries, Bureau of the Census, 1917.........................................................
Salaries, Bureau of the Census, 1918.........................................................
Collecting statistics, Bureau of the Census, 1917.....................................
Collecting statistics, Bureau of the Census, 1918.....................................
Tabulating machines, Bureau of the Census, 1917..................................
Tabulating machines, Bureau of the Census, 1918..................................
27, 243.47
623, 516. 93
34>7°4- 81
4° 2, 561- 7S
5, 280. 04
31,913.83
Total...................................................................................................
1,127, 220.83
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
19
B U R E A U OF LIGH TH OUSES.
Salaries, Bureau of Lighthouses, 1917.......................................................
$2,632. 15
Salaries, Bureau of Lighthouses, 1918.......................................................
57,052.80
281.25
Salaries, Lighthouse Service, 1917.............................................................
Salaries, Lighthouse Service, 1918.............................................................
4, 543. 75
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1917...............................................................
77-5°
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1918...............................................................
75. 00
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1916............................................
161. 24
33,940.14
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1917............................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1918............................................
88,469. 74
Aids to navigation:
Alaska....................................................................................................
100.94
Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio......................................................................
' 10. 50
Conneaut Harbor, Ohio.................................................................................
East River, N. Y ............................................................................................
Hudson River, N. Y ............................................................................
1.39
Fighting Island Channel, Detroit River, Mich.................................
.30
Lorain Harbor, Ohio.......................................................................................
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...........................................................................
.25
Puget Sound, Wash........................................................................................
St. Johns River, Fla.............................................................................
184. 43
Toledo Harbor, Ohio.....................................................................................
Cape Cod Canal Lights, Mass..............................................................
3.35
Cape St. Elias Light Station, Alaska.................................................
419. 99
48,393. 95
Navassa Island Light Station, West Indies.......................................
Tender for first lighthouse district.....................................................
2,905. 94
Tender for third lighthouse district...................................................
72. 37
. Tender for engineer, sixth lighthouse district..................................
4. 86
Lighthouse tender for general service................................................
57, 743. 80
Light vessels for general service.........................................................
4, 794. 29
Light vessels for general lake service.................................................
80. 57
Chicago Harbor Light Station, 111......................................................
6. 04
Galveston Jetty Light Station, T ex...................................................
73-48
Kellett Bluff Light Station, Wash.....................................................
13. 20
Sand Hills Light Station, M ich..........................................................
30. 60
South West Pass Light Vessel, Mississippi River, L a......................
7. 91
Repairing and rebuilding aids to navigation, Gulf of Mexico........
59. 97
Total...................................................................................................
302,162.90
MISCELLANEOUS.
Increase of compensation............................................................................
140, 792. 42
Grand total........................................................................................
6,205,330.03
By disbursing officers of the Lighthouse Service.
Salaries, Lighthouse Service, 1917.............................................................
Salaries, Lighthouse Service, 1918.............................................................
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1917...............................................................
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1918...............................................................
Salaries, keepers of lighthouses, 1917........................................................
Salaries, keepers of lighthouses, 1918........................................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1916............................................
$3,911.33
357, 722. 18
43, 584. 08
1,224,475.98
28,674. 78
908,810.09
54,994. 42
3.25
1.00
5.85
7.60
3.50
REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OP COMMERCE.
20
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1917............................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1918............................................
Increase of compensation, Department of Commerce, 191S...................
Aids to navigation:
Alaska...................................................................................................
Ashland, Wis........................................................................................
Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio......................................................................
Atchafalaya Entrance Channel, L a ....................................................
Conneaut Harbor, Ohio.......................................................................
Coquille River, Oreg...........................................................................
Delaware River, Pa. and D el.............................................................
East River, N. Y ...................................................... .».........................
Fairport Harbor, Ohio.........................................................................
Fighting Island, Detroit River, Mich................................................
Florida Reefs, F la ................................................................................
Hudson River, N. Y ............................................................................
Huron Harbor, Ohio............................................................................
Indian Harbor, 111...............................................................................
Keweenaw Waterway, Mich...............................................................
Ixirain Harbor, Ohio............................................................................
Manistique, Mich.................................................................................
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii..........................................................................
Puget Sound, Wash..............................................................................
St. Johns River, F la............................................................................
Toledo Harbor, Ohio............................................................................
Washington and Oregon......................................................................
Cape Cod Canal Lights, Mass.....................................................................
Detroit River Lights, M ich........................................................................
Superior Pierhead Range Lights, Wis.......................................................
Aransas Pass Light Station, T ex ................................................................
Cape St. Elias Light Station, Alaska............................................. ........
Chicago Harbor Light Station, 111.............................................................
Galveston Jetty Light Station, T ex ...........................................................
Kellett Bluff Light Station, Wash.............................................................
Manitowoc Breakwater Light Station, Wis.............................................
Navassa Island Light Station, West Indies..............................................
Sand Hills Light Station, Mich.................................................................
Thimble Shoal Light Station, V a..............................................................
White Shoal Light Station, Mich..............................................................
Woods Hole Light Station, Mass................................................................
Tender for first lighthouse district............................................................
Tender for engineer, sixth lighthouse district..........................................
Lighthouse tender for general service.......................................................
Light vessels for general service................................................................
SouthWcst Pass Light Vessel, Mississippi River, La.............................
Staten Island lighthouse depot, N. Y.:
Office......................................................................................................
Wharves................................................................................................
Repairing and rebuilding aids to navigation, Gulf of Mexico...............
Repairing and rebuilding aids to navigation, Atlantic coast.................
Oil houses for light stations........................................................................
Lighting Norfolk Harbor, V a .....................................................................
Total
S409, 079.13
2,323.470- 64
217,657- 72
14, 584 - 36
56. 20
i, 070. 88
5, 757- 92
2 3 , 95°- 7°
63. 66
32,824. 93
1,325. 00
400. 00
7 , 437-44
2 ,3°o- 56
1, 789. 65
11. 84
28. 00
14, 676.32
891. 78
22. 08
4,169. 62
3,029. 91
io, 048. 39
13,085-3 1
I3I- 25
2, 176. 58
5,691. 82
i, 187. 22
5- 75
73°- 78
55, °37- 14
51-95
i, 824. 00
964. 23
3 ,464- 69
23, 233- °7
3,867.
780.
14, 576.
i, 161.
2 ,18 1.
i, 903.
64
00
82
40
67
40
2,175- 55
75. 60
10. 04
12. 54
io 7, 653- 54
15, 822.05
I2- 55
i, 874. 08
5, 956, 510. 26
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
21
By special disbursing agent, Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Salaries, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917...............................................
Salaries, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918...............................................
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1916..................................
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917..................................
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918..................................
Repairs of vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917..............................
Repairs of vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918..............................
General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1916..............................
General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917..............................
General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918..............................
Pay, etc., of officers and men, vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917.
Pay, etc., of officers and men, vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918 .
Charts, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917-18............................................
Outfitting Coast Survey steamer Surveyor, 1917....................................
Two new vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey..........................................
Increase of compensation, Department of Commerce, 1918...................
National security and defense, Department of Commerce, Coast and
Geodetic Survey, new building.............................................................
Additional employees, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918......................
Total...................................................................................................
$12, 729. 06
337, 224. 39
7. 71
79, 650. 25
322,083. 69
5,164. 80
19, 217. 17
.35
4. 396. 37
64, 515. 12
53, (>02. 09
162, 078. 24
32, 834. 34
4,838.33
87, 38S. 55
27, 312. 20
80. 12
3, 762. 72
1,217,105.52
By special disbursing agents, Bureau of Fisheries.
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1918...............................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1918................................
Salaries, Bureau of Fisheries, 1918............................................................
Pay, officers and crews of vessels, Alaska fisheries service, 1918...........
Increase of compensation, Department of Commerce,1918.......................
$1,998. 05
15. 7*7- 73
i, 198. 31
21, 587. 59
1,401.87
Total...................................................................................................
41,903.35
By the commercial agents investigating trade conditions abroad, Department of Commerce,
acting as special disbursing agents.
Promoting commerce, Department of Commerce, 1917...........................
Promoting commerce, Department of Commerce, 1918..........................
Promoting commerce, South and Central America, 1917.......................
Promoting commerce, South and Central America, 1918.......................
Commercial attachés, Department of Commerce, 1917...........................
Commercial attachés, Department of Commerce, 1918...........................
National security and defense, export control, 1918...............................
National security and defense, import and export statistics, 1918........
Increase of compensation, Department of Commerce, 1918...................
$6.35
59,420. 13
650. 00
54,624. 03
3. 56
86,153. 88
104. 23
1,463. 47
921. 54
Total...................................................................................................
203,347. 23
Warrants drawn on the Treasurer of the United States to
satisfy accounts settled by the Auditor for the State and other
departments, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918, classified
according to items of appropriation :
22
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Office of the Secretary:
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1916....................
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1917....................
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1918....................
$62. 84
469- 2°
43- 80
Total...................................................................................................
575-84
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce:
Promoting commerce, Department of Commerce, 1916...................
Promoting commerce. Department of Commerce, 1917...................
Promoting commerce, Department of Commerce, 1918...................
Promoting commerce, South and Central America, 1917................
Promoting commerce, South and Central America, 1918...............
Commercial attachés, 1916.................................................................
Commercial attachés, 1917.................................................................
Commercial attachés, 1918.................................................................
8.26
486. 68
647. 70
228. 45
97. 92
56. 37
13. 39
41.81
Total...................................................................................................
1,580.58
Bureau of Standards:
General expenses, Bureau of Standards, 1917.................................
General expenses, Bureau of Standards, 1918.................................
Equipment, Bureau of Standards, 1917............................................
Improvement and care of grounds, 1918............................................
Testing structural materials, 1917......................................................
Testing structural materials, 1918......................................................
Testing machines, 1917........................................................................
Testing machines, 1918........................................................................
Investigation of fire-resisting properties, 1917...................................
Investigation of fire-resisting properties, 1918.................................
Investigation of public-utility standards, 1918................................
Investigation of railway materials, 1917............................................
Determining physical constants, 1917................................................
Investigation of optical glass, 1918..............
Gauge standardization, 1917-18..........................................................
Military research, 1917-18 ..,..............................................................
Military research, 1918-19...................................................................
National security and defense, production of optical glass.............
National security and defense, industrial laboratory......................
Certified claims—
General expenses, Bureau of Standards, 1915...........................
Testing railroad scales, 1914.........................................................
Testing railroad scales, 1915.........................................................
Testing structural materials, 1915...............................................
Investigation of railway materials, 19x5.....................................
Investigation of public-utility standards, 1915.........................
Equipment, Bureau of Standards, 1915.....................................
331. 70
8. 40
115 80
11. 11
387. 28
288. 53
17. 44
19 44
10. 84
16. 29
5. 00
63. 85
41-67
8. 75
46. 03
529. 06
38. 85
96. 78
49. 83
107. 38
25. 00
100.08
15. 82
2. 00
227.00
55-67
Total............................................................................................
2,619.60
Bureau of Navigation:
Contingent expenses, Shipping Service, 1917..................................
Refunding penalties or charges erroneously exacted.......................
Enforcement navigation laws, 1917....................................................
Enforcement wireless-communication laws, 1916.............................
4- 15
1,401. 79
11. 01
60. 00
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
23
Bureau of Navigation— Continued.
Enforcement wireless-communication laws, 1917.............................
Enforcement wireless-communication laws, 1918.............................
Preventing overcrowding passenger vessels, 1917.............................
$9.41
6. 58
2.00
Total............................................................................................
1,494.94
Steamboat-Inspection Service:
Contingent expenses,Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1916..............
Contingent expenses,Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1917..............
Contingent expenses,Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1918..............
Steamboat-Inspection Service, Tampa, F la..................................
Certified Claims— Contingent expenses, Steamboat-Inspection
Service, 1915.....................................................................................
Total............................................................................................
Bureau of Fisheries:
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1916..........................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1917..........................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1918..........................
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1917.......................
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1918........................
Marine Biological Station, F la............................................................
Steamer A Ibalross, repairs, 1917.........................................................
Investigating damages to fisheries.....................................................
Repairs to steamer Fish Hawk,1918....................................................
Certified claims—
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1914..................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1915..................
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1915................
Total............................................................................................
7. 41
194. 36
148. 91
1. 17
.
.83
352.68
2. 54
13, 356. 20
18, 016. 49
x, 824. 47
631. 34
2. 52
9,996.75
83. 67
414. 90
8. 01
2. 26
2. 33
44,341.48
Bureau of the Census:
Collecting statistics, Bureau of the Census, 1917..............................
6. 49
Collecting statistics, Bureau of the Census, 1918..............................
4, 354. 55
Tabulating machines, Bureau of the Census, 1917...........................
2. 75
Relief of Alice V. Houghton...............................................................
900. 00
Certified claims— Collecting statistics, Bureau of the Census,
191S...................................................................................................................... 16.35
Total................................................................................................
5, 280. 14
Coast and Geodetic Survey:
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey,1916..........................
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey,1917..........................
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey,1918..........................
Repairs of vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917......................
Repairs of vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918......................
General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1917.......................
General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1918.......................
Two new vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey...................................
Outfitting Coast Survey steamer Surveyor, 1917..............................
37. 28
14,029. 58
7,966. 64
6,625. 66
832. 57
63. 70
155. 00
14, 799. 36
1,044. S3
Total...................................................................................................
45,55432
24
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Bureau of Lighthouses:
Salaries, keepers of lighthouses, 1918.................................................
Cape St. Elias Light Station, Alaska.................................................
Light station, Sand Hills, M ich..........................................................
Light station, Navassa Island, West Indies......................................
Light vessel, South West Pass, Mississippi River, L a......................
Lights—
Cape Cod Channel, M ass.............................................................
Detroit River, Mich......................................................................
Superior Pierhead Range, W is....................................................
Tender, engineer, sixth lighthouse district.......................................
Lighthouse tender, general service.....................................................
Aids to navigation—
Alaska.............................................................................................
Delaware River, Pa. and D e l......................................................
Keweenaw Waterway, Mich........................................................
Puget Sound, Wash.......................................................................
St. Johns River, F la .....................................................................
Fighting Island Channel, Detroit River, Mich.........................
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...................................................................
Washington and Oregon...............................................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1916.....................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1917.....................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1918.....................................
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1916........................................................
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1917........................................................
»Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1918........................................................
Salaries, Lighthouse Service, 1917......................................................
Light vessels for general service.........................................................
Claims for damages by collision with lighthouse vessels.................
Repairing and rebuilding aids to navigation, Gulf ofMexico.......
Repairing and rebuilding aids to navigation, Atlantic coast..........
Radio installations on lighthouse tenders.........................................
Certified claims—
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1912...........................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1913...........................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1914...........................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1915...........................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1916...........................
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1912................................................
Expenses of buoyage, 1910...........................................................
Expenses of light vessels, 1910....................................................
$62.00
1. 52
417. 32
198. 96
446. 10
4. 10
134 17
6. 60
149. 86
354 90
2, 363. 06
337. 50
903. 37
473. 28
1, 352. 01
322. 21
118. 91
60. 86
4,
747.39
31,
284.86
45,
105.66
2.33
1, 000. 66
4,490.83
24.34
9. 44
598. 58
1,
521.45
5,
972.84
23. 12
166. 66
18. 59
22. 36
156. 23
1. 20
19. 50
4, 616. 53
21, 749. 53
Total............................................................................................
129, 438. 83
Grand total.................................................................................
231,238.41
The following statement shows the expenditures during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1918, on account of all appropriations
under the control of the Department, giving the total amounts
disbursed by the various disbursing officers of the Department,
and miscellaneous receipts for the same period:
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
25
EX PEN D ITU R E S.
By the Disbursing Clerk, Department of Commerce, on account of sala
ries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary of Commerce, the
Bureaus of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Navigation, Standards,
Fisheries, Census, and Lighthouses, the Office of the Supervising
Inspector General, Steamboat-Inspection Service, salaries and ex
penses of the Steamboat-Inspection Service at large, and public
works of the Lighthouse and Fisheries Services (shown in detail in
the first of the foregoing tables of disbursements)................................ $6, 205, 330. 03
By authorized disbursing agents of the Lighthouse Service.................. 5, 956, 510. 26
By special disbursing agent, Coast and Geodetic .Survey', on account of
salaries and expenses of the Coast and Geodetic Survey.................... 1, 217,105. 52
41, 903. 55
B y special disbursing agents, Bureau of Fisheries...................................
By the commercial agents of the Department investigating trade con
ditions abroad as special disbursing agents..........................................
203,347. 23
By warrants drawn on tire Treasurer of the United States to satisfy'ac
counts settled by' the Auditor for the State and other Departments.
231, 238. 41
Printing and binding...................................................................................
394, 952. 24
Total................................................................................................... 14,250,387.24
M ISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS.
Coast and Geodetic Survey : Sale of charts, publications, old property',
etc...............................................................................................................
Bureau of Census: Sale of publications, e tc ............................................
Bureau of Fisheries:
Sale of 3,264 sealskins..........................................................................
Sale of fox and other skins..................................................................
Sale of old property, etc......................................................................
Bureau of Navigation:
Tonnage tax...........................................................................................
Navigation fees.....................................................................................
Navigation fines....................................................................................
From deceased passengers..........•........................................................
Annual yacht ta x .................................................................................
Bureau of Standards: Sale of Government property, etc.......................
Steamboat-Inspection Service: Sale of Government property, etc.......
Bureau of Lighthouses: Sale of Government property, rentals, etc. . . .
Office of the Secretary': Sale of Government property, etc....................
1,171,418.36
146, 508. 02
31, 837. 68
260. 00
1, 468. 60
2, 682. 84
13. 00
22, 719. 32
384. 09
Total...................................................................................................
1, 513.129. 63
20, 088.18
310. 00
69, 946. 48
34,356. 88
11,136. 18
The following unexpended balances of appropriations were
turned into the surplus fund June 30, 1918, in accordance with
the act of June 20, 1874 (18 Stat., iio - i i i ):
Office of the Secretary:
Salaries, Office of the Secretary of Commerce, 1916........................
Rent, Department of Commerce, 1916..............................................
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1915....................
Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce, 1916....................
Bureau of the Census:
Salaries, Bureau of the Census, 1916.................................................
Collecting statistics, Bureau of the Census, 1915-16........................
$i, 709. 09
.02
5.00
48. 18
xo, 234. 65
112. 21
26
REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Bureau of the Census— Continued.
Collecting statistics, Bureau of the Census, 1916..............................
Tabulating machines, Bureau of the Census, 1916...........................
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce:
Salaries, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, 1916...........
Commercial attachés, Department of Commerce, 1915....................
Commercial attachés, Department of Commerce, 1916...................
Promoting Commerce, Department of Commerce, 1916..................
Promoting Commerce, South and Central America, 1915................
Promoting Commerce, South and Central America, 1916...............
Investigating cost of production, Department of Commerce, 1916. .
Steamboat-Inspection Service:
Salaries, Office of Supervising Inspector General, SteamboatInspection Service, 1916..................................................................
Salaries, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1916...................................
Clerk hire, steamboat-inspection Service, 1916................................
Contingent expenses, Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1916.............
Bureau of Navigation:
Salaries, Bureau of Navigation, 1916.................................................
Salaries, Shipping Service, 1916.........................................................
Clerk hire, Shipping Service, 1916....................................................
Contingent expenses, Shipping Service, 1916..................................
Admeasurement of vessels, 1916.........................................................
Preventing overcrowding of passenger vessels, 1916........................
Enforcement of navigation laws, 1916...............................................
Enforcement of wireless-communication laws, 1916........................
Bureau of Standards:
Salaries, Bureau of Standards, 1916....................................................
Equipment, Bureau of Standards, 1916.............................................
General expenses, Bureau of Standards, 1916..................................
Improvement and care of grounds, Bureau of Standards, 1916. . . .
Current meter testing tanks, 1916......................................................
Heating system, north laboratory, 1916.............................................
Investigation of fire-resisting properties, 19x6..................................
High-potential investigation, 1916......................................................
Investigation of public-utility standards, 1916.................................
Investigation of railway materials, Bureau of Standards, 1 91 6. . . .
Radio research, 1916.............................................................................
Refrigeration constants, 1916..............................................................
Testing machines, 1916........................................................................
Testing miscellaneous materials, 1916................................................
Testing railroad scales, etc., 1916.......................................................
Testing structural materials, 1916......................................................
Coast and Geodetic Survey :
Salaries, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1916.......................................
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1915-16.....................
Party expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1916...........................
General expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1916.......................
Pay, etc., of officers and men, vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey,
1916....................................................................................................
Repairs of vessels, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1916......................
Repairs to Coast Survey steamer Explorer, 1916..............................
$351- 57
420. 02
571. 99
38. 89
691. 56
33-66
39. 52
2, 584. 37
249. 66
124-99
3,431. 58
12. 92
76. 22
115. 58
560. 17
527. 38
137. 52
19. 46
23. 85
137. 00
322. 96
15, 700. 16
1, 833. 35
319. 66
98.89
1. 66
479. 46
119. 88
50.08
243. 71
572. 85
167. 25
76. 77
100. 93
.04
12,264. 76
5x7. 07
2,236. 82
685. 82
2,385. 66
220.35
10,001. 46
361.14
1,664. 80
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Bureau of Lighthouses:
Salaries, Bureau of Lighthouses, 19x6................................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1914.....................................
General expenses, Lighthouse Service, 1916.....................................
Salaries, keepers of lighthouses, 1916.................................................
Salaries, lighthouse vessels, 1916........................................................
Salaries, Lighthouse Service, 1916.....................................................
Aids to navigation, Manistique, Mich................................................
Bureau of Fisheries:
Salaries, Bureau of Fisheries, 1916.....................................................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1915-16....................
Miscellaneous expenses, Bureau of Fisheries, 1916..........................
Pay, officers and crew of vessel, Alaska fisheries service, 1916....
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska, 1916......................
Launch for fish hatcheries, Mississippi River V alley......................
Vessels,'fish hatchery, Boothbay Harbor, Me., 1915-16................
Cold-storage plant, fur-seal islands, Alaska, 1915-16........................
Total...................................................................................................
27
$589. 85
300. 00
6, 768. 93
17,917. 97
29,060. 51
3,394.96
.22
9 ,98s. 53
598. 99
2, 123. 63
365. 68
109. 87
4, 609. 57
247.49
253. 73
149,009.51
Estimates for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1920.
The estimates for the fiscal year 1920, aggregating $39,727,740,
exceed the estimates for the fiscal year 1919, amounting to
$18,156,065, by $21,571,675 and exceed the appropriations for
1919, amounting to $15,227,779.56, by the sum of $24,499,960.44.
The principal increases are shown in the estimates for the
Bureau of the Census, which under the law must take up the
preparation for and the taking of the Fourteenth Decennial Cen
sus, the work in connection with which will extend over a period
of three years, beginning with July 1, 1919, and ending on June
30,1922.
It is impossible to apportion with any degree of accuracy the
cost of the work among the three fiscal years which will consti
tute the census period. The records of the Thirteenth Census
provide no reliable basis on which to make such an apportion
ment. That census was taken as of April 15, 1910, and at the
close of the first fiscal year not all the enumerators had been
paid. It is proposed to take the Fourteenth Census as of Janu
ary 1, 1920, and at the close of the fiscal year all the enumerators
will have been paid and the work of compilation will be approxi
mately three and a half months further advanced than was the
corresponding work of the Thirteenth Census on June 30, 1910.
Obviously, however, the greatest part of the total expense of the
census— perhaps as much as $15,000,000— will fall within the firs
fiscal year, for during that year the great bulk of the payments
for field work will have been made.
28
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
For the Lighthouse Service the increase approximates $4,000,000,
the principal items for which have been authorized by the Con
gress.
For the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce an increase
of $698,380 is estimated for the extension of the postwar trade.
For the Steamboat-Inspection Service the increase is $342,230
and is to provide for additional inspectors, clerks, and contingent
expenses necessary to carry on the work of the Bureau incident
to the shipping program of the Government.
For the Bureau of Standards the increase is $263,100, due to
largely increased activities of the Bureau, and especially in con
nection with the war work of the Government.
For the Coast and Geodetic Survey the increase is $654,885.44,
principally for new vessels required for that service.
The table following gives the details of all items of estimates
for the fiscal year 1920 as compared with items of appropriations
for the fiscal year 1919:
C o m p a r is o n
B
etw een
m erce
S u b m it t e d
F
Y
is c a l
ear
th e
for
Item s
th e
of
E
s t im a t e s
F is c a l
Y
ear
for
1920
th e
and
A
D
epartm ent
p p r o p r ia t io n s
of
Com
for
th e
1919 .
E s t im a t e s , ! A p p r o p r i a 19 20 .
j t io n s , 19 19 .
O F F IC E O F T H E S E C R E T A R Y .
S a l a r i e s .......................................................................................................... ; $2 0 6 ,9 0 0 .0 0 j $ 1 8 9 ,0 4 0 .0 0
C o n t in g e n t e x p e n s e s ........................................................................... :
6 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 ;1
7 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0
R e n t ................................................................................................................
79.OOO.
CO ji
6 6 .50 0 . co
R e n t o f s t o ra g e s p a c e ..........................................................................
2 , COO.
T o t a l ................................................................................................i
CO
S t 7 , 860. OO
$10,. 000. 00
2,0 0 0 . 00
3 4 7 .9 0 0 .0 0 j
3 0 .3 6 0 .0 0 j
N et increase......................................................................... I........................!
2 0 .3 6 0 .0 0
L IG H T H O U S E S E R V IC E .
Salaries, Bureau of Ligh th ou ses............................
General expenses......................................................
Salaries of keepers....................................................
Salaries, light vessels...............................................
Salaries. Lighthouse S ervice.................................
Retired pay. Lighthouse S ervice.........................
Public works:
Tenders and light vessels...............................
H awaiian Islands, lighthouse d ep o t............
4. OOO, OOO. 00 3, 500,000. 00
i1,321,600. CO
940,000. 00
;i , 880,000. 00 1 ,265,000. 00
■ 433, coo. 00
380, OOO. CO
50, COO. CO
500,ooo. 00
381,600. 00
615.. coo. 00
53, ooo- 00
50, ooo. 00
760,000.00
120,000.00
760, ooo. 00
120,000. 00
Light-keepers’ d w ellin gs................................
F ifth lighthouse district, depot Portsm outh, V a.;
75,000.00'
75,000.00
St. M arys R iver, M ich., aids to n aviga tio n .
Staten Island, depot m achine shop...............
80,000.00
So,ooo. 00
.................
Virgin Islands, aids to n aviga tio n .................
Staten Island, w harves.................. ..................
65,000.00
65,000.00 1
Potom ac R iver, aids to navigation...............
Eighth lighthousedistiict. depot, N ew O rleans..;
88,500. co
SS,
3 t
500.00 j
10 ,0 0 0 .0 0
29
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Com
p a r is o n
B
etw een
S u b m it t e d
m erce
F is c a l Y
ear
th e
for
Ite m
th e
F
op
E
s t im a t e s
is c a l
Y
ear
s
for
1920
th e
and
D
of
Com
for
th e
epartm en t
A p p r o p r ia t io n s
1919—Continued.
Estim ates,
1920.
L IG H T H O U S E
s e r v ic e
—
A ppropria
tions, 1919.
Decrease.
Increase.
continued.
P u b lic works — Continued.
$284.000.00
Seventh lighthouse district, site, etc., d ep o t----
115.000.
200.000.
75.000.
50.000.
00
00
00
00
17.500.00
14S.500.00
140.000.
3 7 , 7 7 5 -0 0
$284,000.00
115.000.
00
200.000.
75.000.
00
00
50.000.
17.500.00
148,500.00
140.000.
3 7 , 77 5 -oo
00
00
00
16.500.00
16.500.00
$14,000.00
85.000.
53.000.
00
37.000.
28.000.
00
00
26.000.
65.000.
00
00
90.000.
00
$14.000.00
85.000.
00
53.000.
37.000.
00
00
28.000.
26.000.
65.000.
90.000.
00
00
00
00
03
National security and defense (depot, third light175.000.
00
175.000.
00
100.000.
00
1 0 0 .0 0 0 .
00
National security and defense (aids to navigation,
10,487,805.00
Total
6.823,430.00
4 .3 3 7 .3 7 5 -
00
3 .6 6 4 .3 7 5 -
00
6 7 3 ,0 0 0 .0 0
..................................
BUREAU
OF THE
CEN SU S.
For salaries and necessary expenses of every kind
and character in connection w ith taking and pub
lishing the Fourteenth Census, and covering three
20,500,000.00
20,500,000.00
739,240.00
490.000.
739,240-00
490.000.
00
60.000.
60.000.
175.000.
00
00
00
20,500,000.00 i . 524,240.00 20.500,000.00
*8 ,9 7 5 . 76 o.oo
BUREAU
O ? F O R E IG N
AND
D O M E S T IC
00
60.000.
00
175.000.
i , 5 2 4 ,2 4 0 .0 0
COM M ERCE.
1 5 4 ,1 2 0 .0 0
314,500-00
435.000.
001 2 5 . 0 0 0 .
Prom oting commerce, South and Central A m e rica ...
125.000.
001 0 0 . 0 0 0 .
5 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0
137.000. 00
272.000.
001 2 5 . 0 0 0 .
69,000.00
1 6 0 ,3 8 0 .0 0
0 03 1 0 . 0 0 0 .
00
8 7 .0 0 0 .
00
6 5 4 , 1 2 0 . OO
1 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0
7 9 8 .3 8 0 .0 0
6 9 8 .3 8 0 .0 0
o P a rt for Bureau of Foreign and Dom estic Commerce.
00
6 9 .0 0 0 . 00
TOO, OOO. OO
T o ta l............................................................................... 1, 352, 500-00
00
00 2 5 .0 0 0 .
0 01 4 7 . 0 0 0 .
00
6 0 .0 0 0 .
TOO, OOO. OO
00
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
30
C o m p a r is o n
m erce
S
F
Y
is c a l
B
etw een
u b m it t e d
ear
th e
for
Item s
th e
F
op
E
is c a l
Y
s t im a t e s
for
19 2 0
ear
th e
A
and
D
epartm ent
p p r o p r ia t io n s
of
for
Com
th e
19 19 — C o n tin u e d .
Estim ates,
1920 .
A ppropria
tions, 1919.
Increase.
Decrease.
S T IÎA M B O A T -IN S P E C T IO N S E R V I C E .
Salaries, Office of Supervising Inspector General.
$ 23 ,
500 .
OO
Salaries, Steam boat-Inspection S ervice.................
Clerk h ire.......................................................................
Contingent expenses...................................................
729 , 150.00
463 , 300.00
265 , 850 .
OO
127 , 00 0 .
OO
IO O , OOO. OO
27 . 000.
00
OOO. OO
130 , 000.00
45 . 000.
00
T o ta l....................................................................
1, 055, 090.00
712 , 740.00
342 , 350.00
Salaries, Bureau of N avigatio n .....................
Salaries, Shipping Service..............................
3 9 . 730.00
38 . 130.00
1 , 600.00
30 . 100.00
30 . 100.00
Clerk hire, Shipping Service..........................
Contingent expenses........................................
5 1 . 300.00
47, 700.00
8 . 365.00
8, 365-00
Adm easurement of vessels.............................
Instrum ents for counting...............................
3 . 500.00
3 , 500.00
I
75 ,
940.00
$
19 , 44 O .O O
$4,
B U R E A U O F N A V IG A T IO N .
Enforcement of navigation la w s...................
Overcrowding of vessels..................................
Enforcement wireless law s.............................
N ational security and defense (new vessel).
250.00
3 , 600.00
250.00
0026 , 000.00
26 . 000.
18 . 000.
0018 . 000.
00
45 . 000.
0045 . 000.
00
40 . 000.
00
$ 40 ,
T o tal..
N et decrease.
000.00
40 , 000.00
34 , 800.00
B U R E A U O F STA N D AR D S.
Salaries.........................................................
E q u ip m en t.................................................
Repairs, e tc ................................................
533 . 760.00
432 , 360.00
10 1 , 400.00
100 , 000.00
75 , 000.00
25 , 000.00
10 , 000.00
6 , 000.00
4 , 000.00
General expenses.......................................
G roun ds......................................................
H igh poten tial...........................................
60 , 000.00
50, 000.00
10 , 000.00
Structural m aterials.................................
Testing m achines......................................
Eire-resisting properties..........................
Public u tilities...........................................
R a ilw ay m aterials....................................
10 , 000.00
7 , 500. 00
2 , 500 . OO
25 , 000.00
1 5 , 000.00
10 , 000.00
1 7 5 , 000.00
12 5 , 000.00
50 , 000.00
3 5 , 000.00
30 , 000.00
5 , 000.00
60 , 000.00
25 , 000.00
3 5 , 000.00
50, 000.00
150 , 000.00
1 5 , 000.00
5 , 000.00
200, 000.00
2 0 , OOO.
OO
Miscellaneous m aterials...... ....................
Radio com m unication.............................
Color standardization...............................
C lay products.............................................
Physical constants....................................
35 , 000.00
30 ,
OOO-
00
5 , 000.00
40 , 000.00
20 ,
OOO. OO
20 , OOO. OO
Mechanical appliances.............................
Investigation optical glass......................
Standard m aterials...................................
Paper, leather, rubber, e tc.....................
Sugar technology......................................
Gauge standardization............................
Storage batteries.......................................
25 , 000.00
20 ,
15 , 000.00
10 , 000.00
30 , 000.00
20 ,
5 , 000.00
OOO. OO
10 , 000.00
1 5 , 000.00
5 , 000.00
10 , 000.00
25 , 000.00
10 , 000.00
15 , 000.00
OOO. OO
5 , 000.00
4 . 000.00
6 , 000.00
25 , 000.00
10 , 000.00
1 5 , 000.00
30 , 000.00
20 ,
10 , 000.00
10 , 000.00
150 , 000.00
OOO. OO
150, 000.00
20, 000.00
Mine scales, e tc ..........................................
Electrodeposition m etals........................
Metallurgical research..............................
55 , 000. 00
55 , OOO. 00
10 , 000. 00
10 , 000.00
50 , 000.00
50, 000. 00
Chemical reagents.....................................
Illum ination in vestigation.....................
1 5 , 000. 00
1 5 , 000. 00
R ad ioactivity.............................................
10 , 000. 00
10 ,
OOO-
00
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Com
B
p a r is o n
m erce
S
F
Y
is c a l
etw een
u b m it t e d
ear
th e
for
Item
th e
F
s
of
is c a l
E
s t im a t e s
Y
ear
for
19 2 0
th e
and
A
D
epartm en t
p p r o p r ia t io n s
31
Com
of
for
th e
1919— Continued.
Estim ates,
1920.
A ppropria
tions, 1919.
Increase.
Decrease.
b u r e a u o f s t a n d a r d s — continued.
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
IO. OOO. CO
15.000.
15.000. 00
10.000. 00
15.000. 00
15.000. 00
00
25.000.
00
25.000. 00
25.000. 00
25.000. 00
IOO, OOO. 00
15, OOO. 00
40, OOO. 00
100,000.00
15.000.
00
$40,000. 00
40.000. 00
25.000. 00
40, OOO. 00
25.000. 00
$250,000. 00
15.000. 00
250.000.
00
15.000. 00
50.000.
50.000. 00
00
N ational security and defense, therm ite investiga4,300.00
4,300.00
60.000. 00
31,500. 00
235.000. 00
T o ta l............................................................................ 2,098,760.00 1.835,660. 00
60.000.00
3 1 ,50a 00
235.’ 000.00
928.900. 00
665, Soo. 00
263,100.00
BUREAU OF FISHERIES.
13 3 - 4 4 0 *00
336,080.00
109,120. 00
328.340.00
480. 00
24,320. 00
710, 500. 00
665.500.00
45.000.
00
10.000.
00
4,500. 00
10.000.
25.000.
10.000.
00
00
00
15.000.
00
7,740. 00
480. 00
Fish hatcheries:
10.000. 00
4, 500. 00
10.000. 00
25.000. 00
10.000. 00
15 ,000. 00
2,500.00
5,000. 00
2,500. 00
5,000. 00
20,000. 00
150,000.00
20,000. 00
150,000. 00
T o ta l............................................................................ 1,254,520.00 1,280,940.00
26,420. 00
COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY.
N ew vessels...........................................................................
382,600.00
382,600.00
31,000.00
36,000.00
607.820.00 1 477,360.00
90,000.00 j 80,000.00
770.500.00 ! 50,000.00
o D eficiency act approved M ar. 28, 1918.
5,000.00
40,000.00
130.460.00
10,000.00
720.500.00
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
32
Com
p a r is o n
m erce
S
F
Y
is c a l
B
etw een
u b m it t e d
ear
th e
for
Item s
th e
of
E
F is c a l Y
s t im a t e s
ear
for
1920
th e
and
A
D
epartm ent
p p r o p r ia t io n s
of
for
C om
th e
1919— Continued.
Estim ates,
1920.
C O A S T A N D G E O D E T IC s u r v e y —
A ppropria
tions, 1919.
Decrease.
continued.
T w o m otor-driven lath es..............................
T aku , vessel to replace..................................
Four or more motor launches..........................
N atioual security and defense, p rinting charts.........
N ational security and defense, new build in g.........
T o ta l..............................................
$1,500.00
50,000.00
62.500.00
Si, 500.00
50.000.
62.500.00
00
3.854- s6
14, ooo- 00
29.250.00
3.854-56
14.000.
29.250.00
00
$2,066,920.00 1,412,064.56
N et increase...................................
Printing and binding.................................
Graud to ta l....................................
N et increase.......................................
Increase.
$860,960.00
206,104.56
654.855- 44
342,000.00
400,000.00
58,000.00
39.727.740-00 15.227.779-50 27.955.085.00 3,455,124.56
24.499.960.44
Personnel.
The accompanying table shows, by bureaus, the number of per
manent positions in the Department on July 1, 1918, and the
increase or decrease as compared with July 1, 1917. The figures
do not include temporary appointments, nor the following ap
pointments or employments not made by the head of the Depart
ment: Persons engaged in rodding, chaining, recording, heliotroping, etc., in field operations of the Bureau of Fisheries; me
chanics, skilled tradesmen, and laborers in the Lighthouse Service
employed under authority of Schedule A, Subdivision I, section
12, of the civil-service rules. Enlisted men on vessels of the
Coast and Geodetic Survey in the Philippine Islands and officers
and men of the Navy Department employed on vessels of the
Bureau of Fisheries are also excluded. The total of these excluded
miscellaneous employments and enlistments is approximately 4,444
as compared with 4,524 for the fiscal year 1917. A t the close of
the fiscal year 1918 there were 832 employees in the service of the
Department serving under temporary appointment or employment.
The total number of permanent positions referred to in the ac
companying table, together with the employments and enlistments
just mentioned, on July 1, 1918, was approximately 11,051 as
compared with 10,079 on July 1, 1917. This includes 1,372 po
sitions the incumbents of which have been temporarily transferred
to the War or Navy Departments. The total number of employees
of all kinds actually in the service of this Department on July 1,
1918, was approximately 9,679.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Bureau.
Bureau of the Census..........................
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic
Comm erce..........................................
Statu
tory.
Nonstatutory.
In D istrict
of Colum
bia.
Total.
33
Outside
Increase (*f )
D istrict of
or
Columbia. decrease (— ).
+
178
178
609
788
1 ,3 9 7
»713
o 171
914
82
6
6S4
+ 150
49
— J3
147
338
5,780
199
IX3
107
Bureau of Standards..........................
Bureau of Fisheries.............................
Bureau of Lighthouses.......................
342
719
220
1,061
405
56
x5
420
5 , 767
J 5>823
43
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ...............
Bureau of N avigatio n ........................
Steamboat-Inspection Service..........
313
c 44
227
540
a 34*
189
233
35
198
+543
- 32
+ 110
— 250
+ 66
264
S3
347
*3
334
+ 26
Total (perm anent)...................
Tem porary appointm ents and em-
2,324
7 .8 9 5
10,219
2,490
7 ,7 2 9
+606
832
832
832
8 ,7 7 7
11,051
8,561
Grand total (including temporary em ploym ents and enlist-
« Em ployees engaged in work in th e field for a part of each year, w ith headquarters in W ashington, are
treated as w ith in the D istrict of Colum bia.
b Includes the follow ing positions, appointm ent to w hich is not m ade b y th e head of the D epartm ent:
409 (259 classified com petitive and 150 classified excepted) m echanics, skilled tradesmen, and laborers em
ployed in field construction work in th e Lighthouse Service and work of a sim ilar character at the gen eral
lighthouse depot at Tom pkin sville, N . Y . , 1,523 laborers in charge of post lights, and 1,376 members of crew s
of vessels.
c Inclu des 2 stenographers and typew riters authorized b y law, and not to be em ployed exceed in g
months.
The following tables give a summary of changes in the personnel
of the Department for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918:
A P P O I N T M E N T S . P R O M O T IO N S , A N D R E D U C T IO N S .
Appointm ents.«
Perm anent.
Bureau.
Com
peti
tive.
Office of the Secretary....................
Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
Census.................................................
Standards...........................................
Fisheries.................... ........................
Lighthouses.......................................
Coast and Geodetic S u rv e y ...........
N avigation .........................................
Ex-
76
433
10
37
3
384
70
47
Steamboat-Inspection S e r v i c e ___
57
T o t a l........................................
1 ,3 0 9
Tem po Grand
rary.
total.
Total.
U°-
8
59
158
88
46
1
25
X
185
233
70
8
67
77
234
60
2x2
331
144
294
Prom o R é d u c
tions.
tion
*53
i
8
■ ,583
130
586
X
8
887
212
533
45
48
1,070
103
454
385
6
S3
x75
X5 X
839
228
5
76
77
153
84
58
47
Ï05
49
1.824
2,106
3 ,9 3 0
'7 ,1 8 7
330
513
43
b
I 22
4
144
0 Includes appointm ents of the following character: Presidential, b y selection from civil-service c e rtifi
cates under E xecu tive order, to excepted positions, b y reinstatem ent, and b y reason of transfer w ith in
the D epartm ent or from other departm ents or independent establishments.
6 M ainly volun tary reductions accepted b y em ployees to secure m ore desirable conditions of living,
c Includes 466 tem porary increases in th e personnel of the Lighthouse Service.
87481—18----- 3
34
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
.S E P A R A T IO N S A N D M IS C E L L A N E O U S C H A N G E S .
Separations.*»
From permanent positions.
Bureau.
Com
peti
tive.
C en su s...............................................
Stan d ard s...........................................
F ish eries.............................................
U n
classi
fied.
63
2
10
91
18
Total.
75
109
GO I '
Office oi th e S ecretary...................
Foreign and Dom estic Commerce
Ex
cepted.
From
tem po
rary po
sitions.
Grand
total.
Miscella
neous
changes.*»
1 13
10
12 6
34
148
243
212
455
26
24 1
17
30
2 88
469
757
21
10 2
2
14
118
44
162
17
Lighthou ses.......................................
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ............
N avigation .........................................
Steam boat-Inspection S e r v ic e .. . .
448
48
496
190
686
75
21
T o ta l.........................................
I »19 5
95
59
34
5
2
61
69
13 0
1
40
37
77
62
17
79
8
6
1 ,4 9 2
i > 09 3
4 .5 8 5
218
62
93
205
« Includes separations b y reason of resignations, discontinuances, removals, deaths, transfers w ith in the
D epartm ent, and transfers from the D epartm ent to other departm ents or independent establishments.
*>Includes reappointm ents b y reason of change of station, nam e, designation, or appropriation, exten"
sions of tem porary appointm ents, changes from tem porary to perm anent status, etc.
It is the aim of the Department to encourage its employees to
acquire in pursuance of their duties as thorough a knowledge of
the operations of the various services as possible in order that
whenever vacancies occur in higher grade positions they may be
filled by promotion. This policy leads to efficiency. By having
competent employees ready to assume the duties of higher posi
tions under present extraordinary conditions the Department has
been able to prevent a serious demoralization of the work owing
to the unusually heavy drain on its trained force by separations.
This serious drain is shown by the fact that 1,615 out of a total
force of 6,398 regularly appointed employees, over 25 per cent, left
the service during the year. There were only seven transfers from
other departments or independent offices at a compensation greater
than the usual entrance salary, and in each case it was specifically
shown that the vacancies could not be adequately filled by pro
motion or transfer within the Department.
Before the war we could secure clerks at the low entrance salary
of $900; we can not do so now. These positions are needed for
our work and to have them vacant means that the work is done
at the expense of clerks in the higher grades whose duties have
been increased because of the war.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
• 35
The remedy for this situation is a higher entrance salary,
but we can not provide this without congressional authority.
The Government work must go on, but if it is to be done well it
will be necessary to make the entrance salary $1,200 per annum,
eliminating the $900 and $1,000 salaries for first-class clerks. A
certain number of minor clerical positions, carrying a $1,000
salary, should continue and can be filled by persons whose serv
ices can be utilized for work of a minor character.
The cost of living bears cruelly now upon those who fill the lower
salaried positions. It is hardly too much to say that a clerk paid
$1,800 has had his salary cut in half within the last two years by
the advance in prices, and for qll practical purposes of living he
stands where he would have stood two years ago had he then
received $900 per annum. The facts are too well known to require
argument. A spirit of humanity alone should lead to a radical
readjustment of the entrance salaries.
The following table shows that the average amount of both
annual and sick leave used by employees for the fiscal year 1918
was a reduction over that of the previous year:
T
otal and
S
in
C
A
th e
D
alendar
A
verage
eparately
and
is t r ic t
Y
ear
T
A
m ount of
ogether
of
, T
Co lu m
1917,
and
nnual
aken
b ia
th e
,
A
A
by
S
and
th e
rranged
verage
L
ic k
L
eave
E
m ployees
A
c c o r d in g
eave
for
,
by
of
to
B
u reau s,
th e
D
Sex, D
S tated
epartm en t
u r in g
th e
1916 .
M ALE.
A nnual leave.*»
Bureau.
ber.o
D ays.
A ver
age.
Sick leave.
D ays.
Total.
A ver
age.
Office of the Secretary...............
77
1,864
24.21
Bureau of the Census................
Bureau of Foreign and Domes
tic Com m erce...........................
279
7 »9 5 4
28.51
74
2,067
27 - 93
536
Bureau of
Bureau of
Bureau of
Coast and
268
5.63s
I, 280
21.03
25.09
954H
287K
5-63
694
3 >9 «>
28.91
26. 82
XI7
792
4.87
Stan dards.................
Fisheries...................
Lighthouses.............
Geodetic S u rvey__
Bureau of N a v ig a tio n ..............
Steam boat-Inspection S ervice.
Si
24
146
20
8
T o tal and average..........
947
334H
1.763
D ays.
A ver
age.
age,
1916.
4 -3 4
2,198J4
28.5 5
3 3 -5 9
6.32
9 »717
3 4 -8 3
36.76
7.24
2,603
3 5 -1 7
35-69
3 -5 6
6, 59oH
2 4 -5 9
3 1 -3 3
1,567H
8ir
4 »7o8
30. 72
28.92
3 3 -7 8
3 5 -8 0
32. 24
32. J7
29-00
31-58
30. 70
3 3 -8 8
5 -4 2
547
2 7 -3 5
96m
4.82
226
28. 25
6
.75
24,184
25- 5*
4.887
5 -16
643H
232
29,071
33-83
2 9 -4 4
a O n ly those employees are included w ho were considered as being entitled to the full yearly allowance
of both annual and sick leave.
i>In the count of the annual leave, all periods of one-half d ay and over were counted as a full d ay; periods
of less than one-half d ay were omitted.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
36
T
otal
and
A
in
th e
D
A
verage
S eparately
and
is t r ic t
C alen dar Y
ear
T
mount
ogeth er
of
1917,
of
, T
Colum
and
A
b ia
, A
th e
A
by
N um
ber.
Days.
Bureau of
Bureau of
Bureau of
Coast and
Bureau of
Standards.................
Fisheries...................
Lighthouses.............
Geodetic Survey ...
N avigatio n ...............
Total and average...........
39
226
12
A
rranged
L
verage
A nnual leave.
Office of the Secretary...............
Bureau of the Census................
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com m erce...........................
E
th e
fem a le
Bureau.
S ic k L
nnu al and
aken
I* 134
6,773
A ver
age.
29.08
29.97
29- 75
30.00
29.42
30.00
eave
m ployees
c c o r d in g
eave
for
,
by
B
of
th e
S
to
1916 —
u reau s,
ex
D
S tated
epartm en t
, D
u r in g
th e
Continued.
.
Sick leave.
D ays.
242M
2,685M
«K
58
2
357
60
19
2
559
60
15
443
3
87
29- 53
29.00
231
47
191^3
41H
318
9»473
29. 79
3»591/4 1
T o ta l.
A ver
age.
A ver
age.
1916.
Days.
A ve r
age.
6.21
11.88
1,376 'A
35-29
41.8s
37.22
7.87
29.00
12.15
45IJ6
118
790
37.62
59-00
37-46
39-00
23- 5°
12. 76
107
634K
128lA
41-57
53-50
42.29
33- 65
5O.OO
4O. I5
42.83
43. So
ix. 29 13*064 'A
41.08
39- 8s
13-83
9 ,458K
40- 59
TO TAL.
Office of the Secretary...............
Bureau of the Census................
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com m erce...........................
116
2,998
505
14* 727
25.84
29.16
577
4,448^
86
2,424
Stan dards.................
Fisheries...................
Lighthouses.............
Geodetic S u r v e y __
270
5,69«
1,839
28.17
21.10
26. 27
754
29.00
630M
I.OI2K
518H
I64
161
4*359
27.07
983K
Bureau of N avigatio n ...............
Steamboat-Inspection S erv ice.
23
8
634
226
27-56
28. 25
I38
6
T o tal and average...........
1*265
33,657
26. 60
8,478 'A
Bureau of
Bureau of
Bureau of
Coast and
70
26
4 -9 7
3*575
8.81 J9 , I 75 ^
30- 81
3 4 - 78
3 7 -9 7
3 8 .5 5
7 -33
3 , ° 54 >*
3 5 -5 0
3 5 -9 5
3 - 75
6,708Yx
7.40
6.30
2,357M
918
24.85
3 3 -67
31-38
30.81
3 5 -3 0
3 7 -06
6-10
6.00
5 ,342JÎ
772
232
3 3 -17
3 4 -3 0
3 3 -56
3 4 -13
29.OO
2 9 -4 4
3 3 -3 0
3 5 -4 2
•7 5
6. 70 42, i n ' A
By act of Congress approved June 20, 1918, authority has
been given for the retirement on pension of superannuated em
ployees of the Lighthouse Service. Retirement is voluntary after
65 years of age with 30 years of service; compulsory after 70 years
of age. The payment authorized is one-fortieth of the average
annual salary during the last five years of service for each year of
total service rendered, not exceeding a maximum of three-fourths
of such average annual salary. This is a recognition, late but
welcome, of long and efficient service.
The 5 and 10 per cent increase for the fiscal year 1918 has been
replaced by a straight $120 per annum increase (with certain ex
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
37
ceptions) for all those filling what may be considered permanent
positions. While this is more equitable to those receiving small
salaries, it is only a slight and temporary palliative of the hard
ship resulting from the constantly increasing cost of living. The
average salary of the Government employee is estimated to be less
than $1,200 per annum, and with the S i20 per annum increase
his earnings are augmented approximately 10 per cent over a
standard which has remained practically unchanged for decadesIn the last 10 years the cost of living has increased almost two
fold, for, considering the standard of prices in 1907 as 100 per cent,
the same on June 30, 1917, would be represented by 197 per cent.
It is estimated that over 10 per cent of the Department’s total
force of approximately 10,000 were of draft age. The Service
Flag flying from the Commerce Building bears the number 1,824,
indicating the Department’s contribution of personnel to the mili
tary forces of the Nation up to October 1, 1918. The flag also
carries three gold stars in memory of those who have rendered
the supreme sacrifice. No exemption from the draft has been
claimed for any employee. Deferred classification has been
claimed and granted, to date, in about 400 cases, these consisting
almost entirely of scientists or specialized workers whose duties
pertain to war work or preparations. The record of the Depart
ment in this respect was published in the Congressional Record of
July 9, 1918. There has been a large increase in the number of
female employees in conformity with my instructions that during
the war and until further notice women should be employed wher
ever possible. During the past fiscal year 226, or about 15 per cent,
of the probational appointments were issued to women, in each
instance upon the same conditions as men were appointed. The
probabilities are that this percentage will be much increased dur
ing the present fiscal year.
I renew my approval, mentioned in previous reports, of con
tinuing the Saturday half holiday throughout the year.
Printing and Binding.
The sundry civil appropriation act of June 12, 1917, allotted to
the Department $400,000 for printing and binding during the
fiscal year 1918. Of this, $394,952.24 was expended, leaving an
unused balance of $5,047.76. The increase in expenditures in 1918
over 1917 was $12,349.48 (or 3.23 per cent); the allotment in 1917
was $400,000; the expenditures $382,602.76.
3«
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
The estimated cost of unbilled and uncompleted work of the
Department at the Government Printing Office on July i, 1918»
was $64,864.57, while the actual cost of such work at the Govern
ment Printing Office on July 1, 19x7, was $69,104.73.
During the fiscal year the Department issued on the Public
Printer 2,871 requisitions for printing and binding, an increase of
149 compared with 1917. There were at the close of business
June 30, 1917, 501 requisitions which were incomplete, compared
with 416 on the same date in 1917.
The following table shows the cost of printing and binding for
each of the bureaus, offices, and services of the Department during
the fiscal years 1917 and 1918, with the increase or decrease in
1918 for each and the estimated cost of the work on hand but not
completed June 30, 1918:
Increase ( + ) or
decrease (— ).
Cost of work delivered.
Bureau, office, or service.
Office of the Secretary (Secretary, A ssistant
Secretary, Solicitor, Chief Clerk, and D ivision of Pu blications).......................................
A ppointm ent D iv ision ...............................
Disbursing Office.........................................
D ivision of S up plies....................................
Bureau of the Census.........................................
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ..............................
Bureau of Fisheries.............................................
1917
1918
Cost.
$15,432.08
3 7 3 -oo
696.21
$l8,388.96
+$2,956.88
+
278.23
184.85
H 5 >9 7 i -3 5
28,685.67
16,432. 46
Bureau of Foreign and Dom estic Commerce.
Bureau of Lighthouses.......................................
Lighthouse S erv ice......................................
121,529. 73
Bureau of N avigatio n ........................................
Shipping Service..........................................
14,740-06
4,491.36
18,569.17
4, 771.61
651. 43
564. 78
202.55
96,487.31
45,610.93
15,364.28
118,617. 02
l8, 586.42
6,443-34
12,902.86
3 , 4 4 0 .4 5
?9
35,638.74
—
131-43
+
17-70
— 19,484.04
+16,925.26
— 1,068.18
— 2,912.71
Estim ated
cost of
work not
completed,
June 30,
Per cent.
1918.
+ 19.16
+ 74 - 59
-18 .8 8
+ 9.58
— 16.80
+ 5 9 -0 0
— 6.50
~ 2.40
$1,314-45
60.64
28.97
20.33
27,656.48
9,624.28
968.24
+
17.45
+ 1,671.71
— 1,837-40
+ 3 5 -0 3
— 12.46
10,756.21
886.53
1*615.30
19.71
+
9 4 9 -0 9
+38.10
1 * 1 1 9 -7 3
+ 11 , 9 8 9 . 40
+ 5O- 70
6,839- 58
+ 74 - 45
— 8.47
+48-33
13.46
1,230.17
2, 710.49
+ 3 -4 3
64,864.57
+
• 09
117
Bureau of Standards..........................................
Office of the Supervising Inspector General,
Steamboat-Inspection S ervice......................
Steamboat-Inspection S erv ice..................
Custom s Service..................................................
43,649.34
1,009. 08
1,760.34
+
10,701.05
6, 775. 76
9 * 795-13
10,050.63
9 0 5 - 92
+ 3,274.87
39 4 *9 5 2 -2 4
+ 14 , 3 4 9 - 48
T o ta l............................................................ 382,602. 76
7 5 1 .26
The amount and cost of each class of work called for by requi
sitions on the Public Printer during the fiscal years 1917 and
1918 are shown in the following statement:
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Class.
1917
N um b er.
N um b er.
B lan k form s...............................................................................
Reports, pam phlets, e tc ..........................................................
Letterheads................................................................................
Envelopes...................................................................................
17,298,211
25,605. 702
4,016, SIS
3, 562,000
50,000
4 >s6o, 340
Circulars, summaries, and notices........................................
Index cards................................................................................
Guide cards and folders..........................................................
384,47s
1 ,837? 400
88,500
1,586,000
Memorandum sheets................................................................
B lan k books...............................................................................
Miscellaneous books (bin d in g)..............................................
27,191
2,866
C o st.
B lan k form s...............................................................................
$33»246-co
Reports, pam phlets, e tc .......................................................... 320,981.44
Letterheads................................................................................
4,971.42
E n velopes...................................................................................
210.71
Circulars, summaries, and notices........................................
Index cards................................................................................
Guide cards and folders..........................................................
Memorandum sheets................................................................
B lan k books...............................................................................
Miscellaneous books (bin d in g)..............................................
Miscellaneous.............................................................................
T o ta l.................................................................................
39
Increase ( 4 -) or de
crease ( — ).
1918
N um b er.
P e r cen t.
4-
48-03
1,318,soo
+8,307,491
+ 343,825
— 202,000
48,000
+ 1,178,150
— 518,900
431,817
2, 24O, OOO
+
+
3 4 3 )3 1 7
4 -3 8 7 - 93
654,OOO
24.578
3,819
—
-
2,613
47
+ 41.24
— 9.61
3,360,000
58,000
I, 562 , 625
C o st.
C o s t.
$53,441.17
3 °S, 761- 33
S, 380.60
146. 97
+$19, *9 5 -1 7
— 15, 220.IX
4-
-
2 ,1 1 8 .9 5
4 ,0 8 3 . 13
4-
I , 2 6 8 .7 5
1 , 1 5 3 .6 0
—
857*81
2 ,7 7 9 .8 0
4-
409-18
63.74
1 ,9 6 4 .1 8
I I 5- I 5
+ 1 3 -5 4
— 5 -6 7
4 * 16.00
+306.43
— 28.24
—
1 .64
P e r cent.
+ 5 7 -7 4
~ 4 - 74
4 - 8.23
- 30.2s
4- 9 2 .7 0
—
9 .0 8
1 ,9 2 1 .9 9
4 - 2 2 4 .0 6
4 0 7 . 24
2 , I 2 2 .4 6
4-
1 ,7 1 5 - 2 2
4 - 4 2 1 .1 8
8 ,1 9 0 .6 4
14, 3 4 8 .4 1
+
6 ,1 5 7 .7 7
+
7 5 .1 8
9 , 5 1 3 -5 3
6 ,0 5 3 - 6 3
—
3 , 4 5 7 -9 0
—
3 6 .3 5
8 3 6 .2 7
6 7 9 .1 4
-
157-13
-
1 8 .7 9
3 8 2 ,6 0 2 . 7 6
3 9 4 , 9 5 2 -2 4
+
1 2 ,3 4 9 .4 8
+
3 -2 3
During the fiscal year 1918 the Department issued 1,141 publi
cations (1,192 during the fiscal year 1917). Those issued in 1918
contained 42,644 printed pages (54,407 in 1917). There were
printed for the Department a grand total of 4,804,180 copies
(4,444,200 in the preceding year).
The following table summarizes the publication work of each
bureau of the Department for the fiscal years 1916, 1917, and
1918. The year 1916 was an abnormal one in both the number
of publications issued and copies printed due to the printing
and distribution during that year by the Bureau of the Census of
789 advance press summaries of the results of the census of manu
factures in 1914, of which 1,200,000 copies were printed, and the
printing and distribution by the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic
Commerce of 1,500,000 circulars used in the campaign for saving
waste paper.
40
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Pages.
Publications.
Bureau or office.
1916
1918
1917
19x6
1917
X918
Office of th e S ecreta ry..........................
77
78
70
2,428
3.006
2,860
Bureau of th e Census...........................
836
135
83
13*16i
4,528
C oast and Geodetic S u r v e y ................
Bureau of Fisheries..............................
Bureau of Foreign and Dom estic
56
81
62
55
14,165
3,960
3*097
5 ,3 7 8
81
91
2,620
2,440
2 ,8 5 2
Com m erce............................................
Bureau of Lighthouses........................
575
553
544
26,372
in
33
150
18
32
122
158
3,087
3,102
6,623
3*517
Bureau of N avigatio n ..........................
Bureau of Stan d ard s............................
Steam boat-Inspection S erv ice...........
100
16
2S
=4
21,645
4,361
3*207
8,328
98S
*7,803
129
2,088
970
T o ta l..............................................
1 3945
x, 192
i, 141
61, 702
54*407
42,644
Copies printed for D e
partment.
2,576
4 ,5 9 1
Cost.«
Bureau or office.
1917
1918
1916
1917
Office of th e Secretary..........................
261,850
B ureau of th e Census........................... 1,432,9x0
183.550
645,150
231*050
$6,331.07
447,875
$7,157-60
92,562.23
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ................
7 9 j 750
IO9 . 3 OO
9 3 * 6 oo
54,483,37
22, 218. 71
Bureau of Fisheries..............................
Bureau of Foreign and Dom estic
I 7 JG3 5 0
3 3 9 -7 0 0
981,840
1916
1918
$6,909.31
2 5 *5 7 7 -9 4
7 3 *1 5 0 .9 5
37.775.82
10.339-36
11,681.49
23-833-18
Com m erce............................................ 4 -3 5 9 -200 2,411,450 2.235,850
270,800
309.050
Bureau of Lighthousses....................... 3 5 *, *75
22,065
Bureau of N avigatio n ..........................
52*750
59*950
203.050
138-300
Bureau of Stan dards............................
238,950
293,200
263,900
Steam boat-Inspection S erv ice...........
204,800
120,459. 01
11 4 *9 3 7 -10
21,646. 99
18,720.83
107,359-38
19.129.80
17.483-47
28,209. 20
8,062.35
14,303-72
21,202- 22
9,870.44
23,254-69
4,444, 200 4,804.180
289.033.53
326,013.57
300,38a. 75
T o ta l..............................................
12.435.29
6.634-33
a Figures relate to publications actu a lly delivered to the D epartm ent during th e year; consequently
th e y do not agree w ith sim ilar figures in a preceding table givin g th e cost of work done b y th e G overnm ent
Printin g Office during the fiscal year. F requ en tly the cost of a publication is charged against allotm ents
for tw o or more fiscal years.
The Department’s policy of limiting free distribution of its pub
lications resulted in sales by the Superintendent of Documents
during the year of 89,808 copies of reports and pamphlets of the
Department through miscellaneous sales and 2,884,213 copies by
annual subscriptions, a total of 2,974,021 copies. In 1917, 122,896
copies were sold through miscellaneous sales and 3*402,430 copies
by annual subscriptions, a total of 3,525,326. Receipts from
both sales and subscriptions were $32,993.59 in 1918 and $42,461.46
in 1917. The decreases in 19x8 are due largely to war conditions,
the receipts from sales of publications of the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce alone falling off $7,289.52. Coast Pilots,
Inside Route Pilots, Tide Tables, and Charts are sold by the Coast
and Geodetic Survey, and the receipts from these sales during
the year were $20,194.19. Thus, the total receipts from sales of
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
41
the publications of the Department during the past year were
$53,187.78.
During the last fiscal year 3,863,594 publications and printed
circulars of the Department were distributed to the public through
the Division of Publications, compared with 3,593,563 during the
fiscal year 1917, an increase of 270,031.
There were received and acted on during the year 61,538
requests for 568,703 copies of publications, compared with 106,301
requests for 891,971 copies in 1917.
The Department maintains in its Division of Publications a
number of mailing lists for use in sending typewritten or multigraphed information, as well as publications. On July 1, 1918»
there were 350 lists, containing 285,877 names.
During the year the Department expended $2,190.55 for adver
tising for proposals for furnishing supplies of various kinds, for
construction work, and for the purchase of condemned property.
Motor Vehicles.
The present motor-vehicle equipment quartered in the Com
merce Building consists of two trucks and two motor cycles, a
recent increase of one motor cycle. The 1,500 and 2,000 pound
trucks and the older motor cycle were operated during the last
fiscal year at a cost per mile of $0.0944, $0.0674, and $0.05028,
respectively, as against $0.055, $0.057, and $0.014 Per m>le during
the preceding fiscal year.
The following statement shows the operation and maintenance
cost of this equipment:
x, 500pound
truck.
2,000potmd
truck.
Motor
cycle.
*0,3 3 4
30*
3.48X
3 3 *73
34*33
979
1,001
10.32
*7*94
161
21.62
9>477
3S1
9 -6 3
*94
Operating expenses;
$323*29
14 * 75
$345*40
1**63
15. So
23.02
13.80
219*58
20.68
224.52
31 . 12
*37*89
*37*30
24.44
30-10
894* 7 *
696.03
25*42
%')■ .5 1
5-46
28.95
36. II
3 *7 *
84.09
7*40
*75 -0 3
42
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Stock and Shipping Section.
The stock and shipping section received and filled during the
year 7,179 requisitions for supplies of all kinds, of which 2,971
were for the offices and bureaus of the Department located in
Washington and 4,208 for the outside services. Of the requisitions
received 2,703 were for blank forms, 623 for printed stationery,
and 3,853 for stationery supplies.
The following table shows the number of books and blanks
sent to each of the outside services during the year:
B lan k
forms.
B lan k
books.
Service.
Customs Service (Bureaus of Navigation and Foreign and Domestic Commerce) .
Fisheries Service................................... ................................ . ..............................................
Lighthouse Service..................................................................................................................
Bureau of Navigation:
Shipping Sen d ee......... .................. ..................................................................................
Radio Service....................................................................................................................
Steamboat-Inspection Sen d ee..............................................................................................
Miscellaneous...........................................................................................................................
T o ta l...............................................................................................................................
9,271
248
1,005,877
485,617
12,951
898,630
7,876
286
185,180
25
199,169
76,020
724,992
160,293
215,837
3,550,598
The following statement gives the quantity of each class of
printed s t a t io n e r y supplied during the year, both in Washington,
D. C., and in the field:
Blank books...........................
Blank forms............................
Continuation sheets...............
Embossed envelopes..............
Embossed letterheads...........
Envelopes...............................
4 ,4 11
2 90 , 2 7 4
5 5 2 , 5 00
3,0 0 0
1 6 , 000
6 ,8 3 3 ,8 7 5
Guide cards................... ...........
Index cards................... ...........
Letterheads................... ...........
Memorandum sheets. . . ...........
Stenographers’ notebooks.......
Vertical folders............. ...........
1 11 ,3 3 7
I , 0 1 S, 2 5 °
5 2 2 > 5 00
2 ,15 0 ,18 4
2,721
55 2 , 5 ° °
Four hundred and sixty-two orders were placed with the con
tractors for 7,043,200 envelopes, costing $8,658.94, of which
5,622,375 were used in Washington and 1,420,825 by services
in the field.
Department Library.
During the year 3,396 volumes and 926 pamphlets were added
to the library. Two thousand and ninety-six trade and technical
periodicals were received, and brought to the attention of officials
interested in their contents. There were 3,600 volumes discarded
to make room for new material.
Figures do not indicate the amount of work performed in
the library during the past year; it has been unprecedented.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
43
In addition to furnishing material to the bureaus of the Depart
ment, the library has been opened to all the war boards and
commissions, which use it freely. A great deal of time has
also been given these services in research work in connection with
various investigations, without any increase in the force. The
library has proven a valuable and useful instrument in the war
work of the Government.
Books to the number of 1,169, donated by clerks for our soldiers
and sailors, were transmitted through the library to the Library
of Congress.
The Division of Supplies.
At the beginning of the year the Division was much handicapped
by losses in its trained personnel, caused by the draft and transfers
to war bureaus, but a number of the positions were filled by the
appointment of women. By a readjustment ia salaries, made
possible by separations from the service of higher salaried clerks
in other divisions of the Secretary’s Office, it has been practicable
to better assign the several duties of the Division to clerks who are
paid salaries more nearly commensurate to their tasks.
A total of 3,132 requisitions were handled, involving the writing
of 4,140 orders and 6,974 invoices. This also necessitated the
issuance of 4,027 sets of proposals. The sum of $204,587.56 was
expended for supplies ordered through the Division during the
fiscal year, and 4,369 vouchers were audited for payment. In
addition to this a representative of the Division inspected 479
tons of coal for the Department.
The sum of $1,067.08 was received from the sale of old and con
demned furniture, office equipment, four horses, three carriages,
stable equipment, and miscellaneous other property of no further
use to the Department.
Two hundred and seventy-three typewriters were purchased at
a total cost of $18,980.15. As the allowances on old machines
amounted to $2,248.50, the total net cost of these 273 machines
was $16,731.65, or an average price of $61.288 each.
Liberty Loans and War Savings Stamps.
The subscriptions to the several loans and War Savings Stamps
were as follows:
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
44
j Subscribers. Subscription.
L ib erty Loan (first).........................................................................................................
2,516 i
Second Liberty L o a n ......................................................................................................
Third L iberty Loan........................................................................................................
3.377
4.793 !
$500,850.00
604,700.00
607,550.00
Io ta l in bonds.......................................................................................................
10,686 ; 1,713,100.00
W a r Savings Stam ps (6 m onths)................................................................................ j..........................j
78,197. 71
Grand total
At this writing subscriptions to the Fourth Liberty Loan are
reported as follows: Subscribers, 5,772; subscription, $841,600.
Some of the more distant parts of the field services have not yet
reported.
Purchase of Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
I renew the recommendation made in my reports for 1915, 1916,
and on page 50 of my report for 1917, that the Government should
purchase Dutch Harbor, the abandoned village of the North
American Commercial Co. in Alaska.
Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Peace.
Pursuant to the joint resolution of Congress approved July 12,
1918, the trustees of the Foundation for the Promotion of Indus
trial Peace at a meeting on July 18, 1918, authorized the American
Security & Trust Co., treasurer of the foundation, to return the
fund now in its custody to Hon. Theodore Roosevelt. This has
been done.
Abolition of the Official Register.
The abolition of the Official Register, for which House bill 2354
provides, would save a waste of paper and labor on a publication
which no longer serves the purpose for which it was intended. The
card system for which the measure provides would be much less
expensive and far more efficient.
Status of Proposed Legislation Affecting the Department.
The following items of pending legislation are deemed of special
importance by the Department:
House bill 10236. To prohibit the importation, bringing into, or landing in the
United States, and so forth, of lobsters taken in waters outside the territorial waters of
Canada and opposite thereto during closed seasons in such waters.
House bill 119S4. To provide for the Fourteenth and subsequent decennial censuses.
.(Passed the House of Representatives July 2, 1918. Now pending in the Senate.)
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
-45
House bill 10366 (S. 4458). To authorize the adoption, registration, and protection,
of a national trade-mark to distinguish merchandise manufactured or produced in the
United States of America and used in commerce with foreign nations, or among the
several States, or with Indian tribes, and to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to
license the use of same, and for other purposes.
House bill 1753- For the protection, regulation, and conservation of the fisheries of
Alaska, and for other purposes.
House bill 3338. Extending the benefits of care and treatment by the Public
Health Service to seamen on vessels used in the service of the United States.
House bill 2346. To amend section 13 of an act entitled “ An act to promote the
welfare of American seamen in the merchant marine of the United States, to abolish
arrest and imprisonment as a penalty for desertion, and to secure the abrogation of
treaty provisions in relation thereto; and to promote safety at sea,” approved March
4. 1915House bill 2354. To provide for the registry of officers, clerks, and employees in the
Federal service, and for other purposes.
House bill 2878. To regulate and control the manufacture, etc., and use of weights
and measures, and of weighing and measuring devices.
House bill 10475. F°r the establishment of a uniform system of weights and measures
in the United States.
House bill 6186. To fix and establish a legal or standard crate and a legal or standard
basket for tomatoes.
House bill 12392. To authorize the formation and organization of corporations for
the transaction and conduct of commerce with foreign nations.
Development of Waterways.
An important step forward, which will be of great advantage to
our commerce, was taken when the Director General of Railroads
assumed, on behalf of the Government for the period of the war)
the operation of the Cape Cod and the Delaware and Raritan
Canals, the latter being operated in connection with the New
York State Barge Canals. Every economic, military, and naval
argument points to the importance of the earliest possible devel
opment of a Government-owned waterway corresponding with
what is commonly known as the Atlantic intracoastal waterway,
connecting all the great cities of our Atlantic seaboard with one
another, with the New York State waterways,reaching to the Great
Lakes and Lake Champlain, and with all the railroad terminals
along our eastern coast. Such a waterway, safe alike from the
effects of storms and from the acts of enemies, would be a great
asset to the Nation if it were available to-day. The development
of the use of our internal waterways having been taken over by
the Railroad Administration, this Department retains an interest
in them only because of their effect in promoting our commerce.
Work of the Solicitor’s Office.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918, 118 contracts, total
ing $1,130,529, together with 25 contracts of indeterminate
46
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
amounts; 43 leases amounting to $115,752; 20 revocable licenses,
amounting to $12,240; 4 deeds in the sum of $6,350; 101 contract
bonds amounting to $289,503; and 50 official bonds amounting to
$285,000, were examined, approved, disapproved, drafted, re
drafted, or modified.
The number of legal opinions rendered, formal and informal
(memorandum), totaled 398. Legislative matters handled which
concern the Department of Commerce (drafting and redrafting of
bills, reports relative thereto, etc.) numbered 418. In addition,
1,999 miscellaneous matters embracing everything submitted for
the advice or suggestion of the Solicitor, or for the formulation of
Department action, not included in the foregoing items, were
handled by the Office of the Solicitor.
In connection with the Solicitor’s Office, I point out the small
salaries ($1,400 to $1,800) paid the attorneys in this office. These
attorneys (though classified as clerks) are graduates of law schools
and members of the bar. Their duties are those of attorneys and
law clerks and require training and legal ability. They are paid
much less than those doing similar work in other departments.
In fact, these professional employees receive no greater salaries
than are paid departmental clerks without professional training.
The salaries of these attorneys should range from $1,800 to at
least $2,500 per annum, to correspond to salaries received by
attorneys and law clerks in other departments.
Because of the low salaries paid, the Solicitor’s Office has, during
the year, lost two of its most competent law clerks. As the em
ployees of this office are under the jurisdiction of the Department
of Justice, I have taken up with the Attorney General the matter
of making the salaries conform to those paid for similar work in
other law offices of the Government. Assurances have been re
ceived from the Attorney General that he would be very glad,
indeed, to give the matter consideration when the estimates are
being prepared for the next fiscal year beginning July 1, 1919.
The Solicitor has accordingly submitted estimates providing for
the rearrangement of the positions of the attorneys in his office,
both in designation and salaries.
BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COMMERCE.
(B
urw ell
S . C u t l e r , C h ie f.)
This Bureau is the national center for economic information
and statistics of the resources, transportation, and trade of foreign
countries. The past war year brought unprecedented demands
for that class of information. A t home and abroad the Bureau
helped the War and Navy Departments to find new sources of
needed materials, in some cases taking part in the actual pur
chase. Congress, too, and all the war boards sought informa
tion about our foreign trade, our raw materials and markets, as
well as trade data from foreign countries on their raw materials
and indispensable imports. The statistics and facts were available
chiefly in the Bureau. Therefore, in addition to the normal
function of promoting foreign trade, the Bureau became also a
mainstay of economic research for the War Trade Board, War
Industries Board, Shipping Board, and other Federal agencies
of less intimate contact with trade.
Most of our commercial attachés are representing the War
Trade Board or the Shipping Board, some of them having taken
part in the economic conferences of the allies on blockade and
embargo matters in London and Paris, and all having contributed
frequent reports on commercial matters to the above war organiza
tions. Our special traveling agents have collected and turned over
volumes of information to the war boards. The Latin American
division has time and again supplied specialized information
which could have been obtained from no other quarter; indeed,
the division has been expanded greatly under the influence of
that demand. It is easy to see what great contributions might
also have been made by a Russian division and a far eastern
division and a western European division had we been fortunate
enough to have such facilities at command ; much valuable infor
mation in respect to those fields exists in the Bureau, but it could
not all be organized for use with the means available. The
statistical division has been at times absorbed in satisfying the
extraordinary and comprehensive demands of the war agencies for
minutely classified import and export figures, and this situation
has obtained also in a less degree with the research division. It
is not too much to say that the Chief and Assistant Chiefs of the
47
48
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Bureau have labored day and night to meet the war-time demands
without allowing the regular functions of the Bureau to lapse.
Balance of Trade in Favor of United States.
The visible balance of trade in favor of the United States on
merchandise transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918,
was $2,982,226,238. The total of our merchandise export trade
was $5,928,285,641 and of our import trade $2,946,059,403.
Working Policy.
At the beginning of the year the American manufacturer and
exporter was still seeking foreign trade where he could find it,
and he was encouraged rather than discouraged by the Bureau in
his efforts. It was thought proper to supply the needs of the
foreign customer so long as there was involved no interference
with the war program. Eventually there came a time when the
effective prosecution of the war demanded a cutting down of
foreign sales to conserve tonnage and materials. Thereupon the
Bureau ceased for the time to promote the expansion of present
general export business and turned to the problems involved in
keeping close touch with the remaining available markets and the
close investigation of other markets, so that there would be the
fewest possible obstacles in the way of resuming trade when the
war ends. Investigations now carried on in foreign fields are
aimed not so much at stimulating present business as at supplying
our manufacturers and exporters with information that will enable
them to meet future competition. This has naturally led the
Bureau to consider plans relating to the resumption of trade after
the war; the organization is giving attention to the problems of
commercial readjustment.
The present purpose of the Bureau is to cooperate to the fullest
extent with the national war agencies and not to concentrate
attention exclusively on immediate trade promotion, since to do
so might handicap our military effectiveness. On the other hand,
the Bureau would be retniss in its duty if it did not develop an
organization and collect information for the vital period to come.
This has been done tirelessly and to the limit of means in men and
money, as the following pages will show.
German Trade.
The war aroused keen interest in the trade methods that Ger
man v had used to intrench herself in the markets of the world,
and because conflicting opinions and rumors were abroad the
repo rt of th e se c r e ta r y of com m erce .
49
Bureau decided to make a thorough inquiry into the matter and
put the truth before the business public in the form of printed
reports. The first issued was “ German Foreign-Trade Organi
zation,” which set forth the development of the German export
trade, the organization of German commercial education, the
promotion of trade by the German settlements in foreign countries,
the German banking and shipping facilities, and the trade-pro
moting agencies and trade associations. The object was not
condemnation of all German efforts, but rather an impartial pres
entation of the good and bad features, so that the American
exporter and manufacturer could profit by what was good as well
as avoid what was evil. The report was the work of Mr. Chauncey
D. Snow, First Assistant Chief of the Bureau, who was engaged
in an industrial investigation in Germany when the war broke out.
It was followed by a report, entitled “ German Trade and the
War, ” concerned with war-time commercial and industrial con
ditions in Germany and their bearing on the future trade of that
country. The first report was devoted largely to the export trade
of the enemy, the second to his raw materials and imports. The
second report was prepared by Mr. Snowy in collaboration with
J. J. Krai, of the research division of the Bureau. These reports
have had wide circulation.
Independence of German Chemicals.
Because the census of dyestuff imports taken by the Bureau
in an effort to stimulate the development of an American industry
proved effective, the work of completing a similar census of all
chemical imports has been pushed vigorously during the last
year, with the cooperation of the American Chemical Society.
For many years the industries of this country have depended
upon Germany for dyestuffs and many other lines of the finer
chemicals, and the German exporters have taken good care that
particulars of the extent and character of this trade were not
made known. The dyestuff census brought this information to
light so far as that industry was concerned, and American manu
facturers were able to proceed with certainty. The possibility
of establishing a self-contained chemical industry in this country
is no longer open to question. Germany has definitely lost much
ground in our market, and the coming report on prewar chemical
imports will make possible additional assaults on former German
chemical strongholds.
87481— 18------4
50
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Defeating German Commercial Plots.
German attempts to register American trade-marks in foreign
countries, particularly in South America, were reported to the
Bureau at intervals during the last year. Our procedure in cases
of this kind is the same as in any attempts to appropriate trade
marks belonging to American concerns; that is, the American
firms are notified that marks belonging to them have been offered
for registration, and they are advised as to what they may do to
maintain their rights. Regulations governing the registration of
trade-marks vary in different countries. In this country the person
who first uses a mark is considered the owner, even if he does not
register it promptly. In many South American countries the
man who first registers the mark is the owner. It is easy to see
how serious it would be to have any considerable number of
American marks pass into German hands in these markets.
Some marks have been definitely lost, but others have been re
registered upon proof of fraud in the first registration. The Bu
reau will continue its watchfulness, but increasing vigilance on the
part of our manufacturers is necessary.
The traveling agents and commercial attachés of the Bureau
have been in an advantageous position to watch the activities of
German merchants and commercial agents in countries where
they are still at liberty to plan and plot. Information obtained
in this way has been important to the various war organizations
of our Government and has enabled the Bureau to anticipate
German plans for the future.
Commercial Attachés.
Because of war conditions, the work of these officers has been
chiefly given to assisting the special war services— the War Trade
Board, War Industries Board, Food Administration, and others.
Mr. Pierce C. Williams, commercial attaché at London, has
been transferred to Paris.
Mr. Philip B. Kennedy, formerly at Melbourne, has been given
the London post.
Mr. Paul L. Edwards, commercial attaché at The Hague, has
been several times called to London and Paris on work for the
War Trade Board.
Mr. Erwin W. Thompson, commercial attaché at Copenhagen,
has spent much time in London on work for the War Trade Board.
Mr. William C. Huntington, commercial attaché at Petrograd,
after actively assisting our ambassador through many trying
months, has returned to this country.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
51
The post at Buenos Aires has been filled by Mr. Robert S.
Barrett, who represents also the War Trade Board, the Shipping
Board, and the War Industries Board in Argentina. He has been
intrusted by our ambassador with all enemy-trade investigations.
Mr. William F. Montavon, commercial attaché at Lima, has
been active in successfully settling differences between American
firms and the Peruvian importers. He was, after the close of the
fiscal year, transferred to a new post in Spain.
Mr. William C. Downs, commercial attaché at Rio de Janeiro,
resigned, and shortly after the close of the fiscal year the post
was filled by the appointment of Mr. J. E. Philippi, who has for
years been identified with the American export trade in Brazil.
The work of Mr. Philip B. Kennedy, commercial attaché at
Melbourne, has been fruitful in bringing about a kindly commer
cial understanding between the United States and. Australia.
His place at Melbourne has been filled by Mr. Augustin W. Ferrin.
Mr. Julean Arnold, commercial attaché at Peking, has long
acted as chairman of the International Customs Conference in
Shanghai, on which body he represents the United States. Dur
ing his absence on this duty the post at Peking was filled by Mr.
Ferrin, now transferred to Melbourne.
Mr. Frank R. Rutter, commercial attaché at Tokyo, has ren
dered valuable service in connection with necessary commercial
readjustments arising from war conditions.
It is a matter of deep regret that the Department has not been
furnished funds with which to increase the force of commercial
attachés. Each of these officers has dealt with delicate and
important matters with success and self-sacrifice. The commer
cial interests of the country abroad would be in even better con
dition than they are had the request of this Department for a
larger force of attachés been heeded. There is now an urgent,
repeated call from Italy for a commercial attaché at Rome. We
hope to answer this call affirmatively.
Trade Commissioners (Traveling Commercial Agents).
These are specialists assigned to investigate particular markets
or to study basic conditions underlying the foreign trade of cer
tain countries. They have obtained first-hand commercial infor
mation of the greatest importance to the War Trade Board, War
Industries Board, Council of National Defense, War Department,
Navy Department, Department of State, Shipping Board, and
the Railroad Administration. This information has covered such
52
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
subjects as trading-with-the-enemy violations, enemy propaganda
abroad, opportunities for substituting American for German cap
ital in enterprises of neutral countries, comments on current con
ditions in Germany, Russia, and Finland, data concerning foreign
sources of important raw materials, etc. These agents have thus
done their war service in the regular course of their missions on
trade subjects.
Valuable assistance has been given by the commercial agents
in connection with the war work of the Government in such impor
tant matters as current economic developments in Germany, the
effect of the war and blockade on conditions in Scandinavia, the
status of commercial concerns in South America, the source of
supply of boots and shoes in South America, assistance in pur
chasing supplies for our Army in Spain, data on port facilities
and freight conditions in South America, on lumber supplies
available in Scandinavia, on the commercial and political condi
tions in Finland, on the crude-rubber resources of the world, on
railways in the Far East and in New Zealand, Australia, and
Japan, and the lumber trade in Russia and. on industries in that
country.
The work thus briefly summarized has been utilized by the
War Department, the State Department, the Navy Department,
the War Trade Board, the conservation division of the War
Industries Board, the Council of National Defense, the Bureau of
Mines, and the Geological Survey of the Interior Department,
the War Minerals Committee of the War Industries Board, the
Shipping Board, the Railroad Administration, etc.
The Department regrets that the necessity for making this
report as brief as possible prevents its naming here the various
traveling representatives who have done so much in the past
year under difficult conditions on behalf of their country. One
at least of them was thrown into a Russian prison, and others
have had to work in distant places under circumstances of stress
or danger. Their work has been well done and they are entitled
to the thanks of the country, not only for the quality of the
services they have rendered, but for the unselfish and patriotic
spirit in which they have done their part.
Investigations Completed During the Year.
Some of the most important investigations ever undertaken
by the Bureau were completed during 1918 by these traveling
agents. Other investigations of no less importance were started
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
53
during the year and have yet to be completed. A brief outline
of both groups follows:
The study of the markets for agricultural implements in Aus
tralia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa was completed.
Reports were published on “ Markets for Agricultural Imple
ments and Machinery in South Africa,” and ‘‘ Agricultural Imple
ments and Machinery in Australia and New Zealand.”
The study of cotton-goods markets in British India and Ceylon
was finished early in the fiscal year. Parts IV, V, and VI of
“ Cotton Goods in British India” were published during the year.
They are concerned with the trade of the Bombay Presidency, a
summary of the Indian trade, and cotton manufacturing in India,
respectively.
An investigation of markets for electrical goods in Australia,
New Zealand, China, Chosen, and Japan was completed during
the year. Monographs were published on “ Electrical Goods in
New Zealand” and “ Electrical Goods in Australia.”
Inquiry into the possibilities of South Africa and Portuguese
East Africa as markets for American hardware disclosed an
eagerness on the part of importers in those lands to enter into
permanent trade relations with this country. The report of
the officer who conducted this investigation will be published soon.
A study was made of markets for motor vehicles in Japan,
China, and Hawaii. The report covering these countries is
completed and will be issued in the near future.
The study of markets for paper, paper products, and paper
machinery in South America and Cuba was completed early in
1918. This field was formerly dominated by German products.
Reports were published during the year on “ Chilean Market
for Paper, Paper Products, and Printing Machinery,” “ Paper
Products and Printing Machinery in Argentina, Uruguay, and
Paraguay,” and “ Brazilian Markets for Paper and Paper Products,
Including Machinery.”
The well-known popularity of American shoes in those foreign
countries where they have been well advertised led the Bureau
to undertake a study of shoe markets in Latin America, Australasia,
and the Far East. The investigation in Australia, the Philippines,
China, and Japan was completed during the winter, resulting in
reports entitled “ Shoe and Leather Trade in New Zealand,”
“ Shoe and Leather Trade in Australia,” and “ Shoe and Leather
Trade in the Philippines.” The survey of Latin American shoe
markets was completed. “ Markets for Boots and Shoes in Peru ”
54
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
appeared during the year, and monographs covering Chile and
the River Plate countries are in press.
The investigation of Latin American markets for textiles pro
ceeded, but was not completed. The following monographs were
published during the year: “ Textile Markets of Bolivia, Ecuador,
and Peru” and “ Textile Markets of Chile.”
The increasing importance of manufactured rubber in industry
and our dependence on foreign sources for this material led the
Bureau to arrange for a study of sources of raw rubber, export
methods, and other factors affecting the domestic rubber industry.
An interesting feature of this work is the review of experiments
with guayule cultivation in the desert lands of our Southern States.
It seems probable that within a comparatively short time guayule
production within our own borders will become profitable. Con
ditions prevailing in the rubber-producing regions of Brazil, the
East Indies, and other parts of the world are covered in a mono
graph which will soon be published.
A study of investment opportunities in Latin America was
finished during the spring. From the standpoint of United States
foreign trade and the furtherance of existing good relations with
the South American Republics, our investing public should give
more attention to South American opportunities after the war.
Investigations in Progress.
The study of Latin American markets for construction materials
and machinery has been completed in Cuba, Argentina, and the
west-coast countries of South America. During the year one
monograph was published, entitled “ Market for Construction
Materials and Machinery in Colombia.”
The investigation of South American markets for American
furniture has disclosed a remarkable development of local indus
tries, but it seems likely that upon the restoration of normal
conditions American lines will be sold as heretofore on a quality
basis. “ Colombian Markets for American Furniture” is the
title of the only report issued on this subject during the year.
The investigation of Latin American markets for jewelry and
silverware was completed in Cuba and the west-coast countries.
Much progress has been made by American exporters in this line
since the war started. This investigation is of particular signifi
cance, because the South American market has been dominated by
European jewelry.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
55
Preliminary work in connection with after-war markets for wood
and lumber in Great Britain and France has been completed.
Effective work was done in convincing officials and importers that
American construction woods are stronger in proportion to size
than the softer woods of the Baltic countries. The study of
after-war lumber markets in the Spanish Peninsula, Italy, and
Greece was begun. All these countries are important future
markets for American goods.
The study of timber resources and export methods in Finland
was completed. This work was carried on in spite of severely
adverse conditions.
The preliminary survey of the Swedish lumber industry is
finished. That work in Norway will soon begin.
A study of Russian timber resources has progressed in the face
of many difficulties. The investigation of the inaccessible forest
regions of eastern Siberia was pioneer work. It is believed that
no other reliable information is available concerning the timber
resources of this important potential source of supply. The
Bureau will continue this work in European Russia, if possible.
The investigation of markets for railway equipment in Australia,
China, and Japan was completed during the winter and a volumi
nous report on conditions in Japan, China, and Chosen will shortly
be issued. One report was published under the title “ Markets for
Railway Materials, Equipment, and Supplies in Australia and
New Zealand.”
The study of financial and economic conditions in China con
tinues.
A survey of the mineral resources of Japan has been completed
and a comprehensive report is nearly ready.
An inquiry into the mineral resources of China, that are destined
to play so large a part in the development of that country, will
soon begin.
A study of ports, harbors, and interior transportation facilities
of all kinds in China and other far eastern countries is being
continued. The potentialities of China as a market for American
products and a field for American enterprise make such an inves
tigation very desirable.
The growing interest in Latin America as a market for the
increasing volume of American exports and the lack of informa
tion on the part of the American advertising agencies regarding
Latin American advertising methods have led to an investigation
of advertising conditions in South and Central America. The
56
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
study of these conditions in Cuba and the west-coast countries is
completed.
The research work on export marketing methods was not
finished because the officer assigned to it was called to important
war work by the United States Shipping Board. The work will
be resumed and completed as soon as opportunity offers.
An agent was sent to Christiania in January to study economic
and commercial conditions in the three Scandinavian countries.
He has incidentally sent valuable information concerning current
tendencies in Germany and in Russia.
At the request of the United States Shipping Board, the Bureau
detailed a commercial agent to investigate the production and
export of certain tropical products in Central America and
Colombia. He is also obtaining for the Bureau information on
commercial conditions in the Central American countries.
Statistical Division.
As the compilation center of all American foreign-trade statis
tics, the statistical division was, during the year, continuously
used by the War Trade Board, the Food Administration, the
Shipping Board, the Fuel Administration, the War Industries
Board, and such bodies as the Textile Alliance and the Tanners’
Council. It is no exaggeration to say that every Government
office handling war-trade problems called on the division for special
statistical service during the year.
The extra demands for a time threatened to interfere with the
regular work of preparing statistics for publication. Naturally
the condensed published figures did not always meet war-time
requirements, and in most cases it was necessary to go back to the
detailed monthly records on file. It was soon found impossible
for our few statistical clerks to handle all this work. The staff
was materially increased, and arrangements were made to furnish
desk room and place the records at the disposal of clerks detailed
from the various departments and boards. This has worked admir
ably. The regular staff has devoted much time to assisting the
force so detailed.
Early in the year the war boards suggested that the monthly
statistics usually available a month to six weeks after the close
of the period which they covered were not sufficiently up to date
for their purposes. A plan was accordingly perfected for fur
nishing them each month with three statistical statements of
both exports and imports, each brought up to io days from date.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
57
This meant a revolution in the methods used at the custom
houses, as well as at the Bureau, but the io-day reports have
been furnished regularly for exports since February and for
imports since April. These reports are for the confidential use
of the war boards.
To meet the needs of the war boards and of commercial interests
for more detailed export statistics for commodities in which the
trade has increased since the war, but which have been included
in “ All other” classes, suggestions were invited from boards of
trade, chambers of commerce, and private firms for additional
classes. A generous response followed and many suggestions
were made. While first consideration is given to the needs of
the war boards, the object of making the classification of the
greatest permanent value to trade promotion after the war is
kept in view. It is now planned to devise an entirely new classi
fication along the lines suggested from the material available in
the Bureau and constantly accumulating.
A new schedule governing the classification of imports was
issued, effective July i, 1918. It shows more detail than the
former Schedule K, as almost every item mentioned in the tariff
is separately classified. This detailed classification was provided
for the use of the United States Tariff Commission in its work of
collecting information regarding imported commodities as a basis
for tariff legislation.
In spite of the press of war work, the division has issued the
usual statistical publications without serious delays. Mechan
ical tabulation will be extended with the beginning of the next
fiscal year to all import, warehouse, and noncontiguous-territory
reports.
Latin American Division.
The Latin American division has contributed to war work as
extensively as any division in the Bureau, except, possibly, the
division of statistics; but the fundamental duty of trade promo
tion has not been neglected. Restrictions upon foreign trade
through the curtailment of shipping space and import and export
license requirements have retarded our trade with Latin America
in many respects, although the trade with the nearer regions of
Latin America— notably Central America and northern South
America— has been stimidated because of the impossibility of
importing certain commodities from the islands of the Far East
and from the remoter regions of Latin America. In anticipation of
5«
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
requests of American importers and exporters for assistance in
trade with the Caribbean countries, the division has undertaken
detailed investigation of trade problems in these countries. A
gratifying response has been observed in the activities of American
houses in that field.
Far Eastern Division.
The work of inaugurating a division to handle far eastern com
mercial matters, similar in scope to the Bureau’s Latin American
division, was begun during the year. It will centralize matters
relating to the countries of the Far East and will have assistants
who specialize on each of these countries.
Already the newly formed division has been able to render
assistance to the various war boards that are making studies of
the shipping and trading situation on the Pacific. In view of
the situation in Manchuria and Siberia, it is believed that the
division’s activities will have a helpful influence in shaping trade
policies with respect to that portion of the Far East.
An appropriation of $50,000 for the development of the division
became available July 1, 1918, and it is expected that commercial
information concerning the Far East will soon be as well organized
as that relating to Latin America.
Division of Foreign Tariffs.
The work of this division has naturally been affected by the
war activities of the Bureau as well as of outside organizations,
particularly the War Trade Board and the Shipping Board.
The division was recognized by the war organizations as a source
of information regarding trade restrictions of foreign countries,
such as export embargoes and import prohibitions, and requests
for such information have formed a conspicuous feature of the
division’s correspondence during the last year. The growing
interest in reconstruction problems has also served to widen the
scope of the division’s work, so that it covers not only foreign
commercial and tariff policies, but also many other phases of
foreign business life. Close and helpful relations have been
maintained during the year with the Department of State, the
Department of Agriculture, and the Tariff Commission.
No other part of the division’s work is productive of more
good will for the Bureau than that done in connection with trade
mark priority. Notifications are sent out when evidences of
attempts to appropriate American trade-marks are discovered
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
59
abroad, particularly in Latin America, and many letters have
been received expressing appreciation of this service. Trade
mark attorneys who have visited the division as a result of notices
sent to their clients have been surprised at the extent of the
trade-mark information available.
District Offices.
For nearly seven months of the fiscal year the various district
offices of the Bureau handled the work of the Exports Control
Committee, which afterwards became the War Trade Board.
During July and August, 1917, more than half of the applications
for export licenses made in the United States were presented at
our New York office, and more than 15,000 licenses were granted
there without the delay necessary had they been sent to Wash
ington for action. On each of several days approximately 2,000
persons applied for export licenses at the New York office.
The branch offices have in other ways assisted in carrying on
the war. With the passage of the trading-with-the-enemy act
many requests came for advice regarding the interpretation and
scope of the measure. Many business houses whose former repre
sentatives were placed on the enemy-trade list, particularly in
Latin America, appealed to the district offices for assistance in
obtaining new connections. In such cases, the district offices
often rendered valuable service. They have aided important
business houses throughout the country to adjust their operations
to the regulations of the various departments of the Government
whose decrees tended to check or change the normal flow of com
merce.
Many special investigations were made on behalf of various
branches of the Government on the abnormal conditions incident
to the war. This was true particularly when difficulties arose
in connection with foreign shipments, for not only the regulations
of this Government but those of foreign Governments changed
the natural course of trade. Meanwhile the regular promotive
work in many of the offices has increased to a remarkable degree.
The district offices are coming to be looked on as local centers
of foreign-trade activity. Foreign visitors frequently make their
headquarters at these offices, and visiting consuls, special agents,
and commercial attaches always do. The samples gathered in
foreign markets by consuls and Bureau representatives are
exhibited there to local manufacturers and exporters. The main
sample-exhibit room in New York is a revelation of the precise
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
nature of foreign competition with American goods. The agents
in charge of the offices have also taken a prominent part in foreigntrade educational activities, cooperating with the Bureau of
Education, the Federal Board for Vocational Education, and
local chambers of commerce. This cooperation with local cham
bers, banks with service departments, etc., tends to give the
Bureau a leading part as a national and disinterested party.
Editorial Division.
Commerce Reports depends largely for material on the consular
officers, who since the United States entered the war have had
their time taken up more and more by activities that have inter
fered with the normal commercial reports. The editorial division
has, therefore, had difficulty in keeping this important foreigntrade paper up to its usual size and standard. By making in
creased demands upon the time of the traveling agents, commercial
attachés, and the Washington staff it has been possible to prevent
any falling off in quality. In quantity there was a slight increase
during the year, as 4,912 pages were issued as against 4,896 last
year. The supplements, which contain the annual review’s of
the trade of foreign countries, contained 1,608 pages, a falling off of
127 pages. Five monographs in the Special Consular Series were
published as against one in 1917; in the Special Agents Series 26
monographs of 2,609 pages w'ere issued as compared with 27
monographs of 2,344 pages the year before; while in the Miscellane
ous Series there was a drop from 24 reports of 2,752 pages in
1917 to 11 reports of 1,112 pages in 1918.
Statistical Preparation for After-War Trade.
The Bureau has undertaken careful statistical studies of the
normal w’orld markets for important lines of merchandise, the
object being to enable American manufacturers to prepare them
selves for trade after the war. The first study published u’as
devoted to the quantities, values, and sources of furniture im
ported by countries w’hose transactions exceeded $500,000 in
value. It is issued under the title “ Furniture Imports of Foreign
Countries.” It is planned to issue a series of similar studies of
other lines as rapidly as they can be prepared.
New Plan to Stimulate Foreign Trade.
A novel method of Government trade promotion was begun
w’hen the Bureau issued the first of a series of Spanish-English
pamphlets defining with scientific accuracy accepted American
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
61
industrial standards for construction materials. The first pam
phlet issued is entitled “ Standard Specifications and Tests for
Portland Cement” and was prepared by the American Society
for Testing Materials, in cooperation with the American Society
of Civil Engineers, the Bureau of Standards, the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce, and the Office of Public Roads. This
will be followed by a long series now in press. The standards of
the American Society for Testing Materials are already known
and used in the Batin American countries, and the decision to
publish them in .Spanish was reached as a result of numerous
requests from these countries for just this sort of information.
Care was taken to make the translations idiomatic as well as
technically accurate.
Recommendations.
Measured by the economic needs of the country and by the
grave responsibility of postwar competition, the Bureau should be
expanded substantially in every branch of its service.
New attachés should be assigned to a number of important
capitals, especially Athens, Rome, Madrid, Ottawa, Mexico City,
and Santiago, Chile. We should also establish at the earliest
possible moment resident trade commissioners in Sweden, Norway,
Great Britain, France, Greece, Switzerland, Russia, Mexico,
Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, Dutch East
Indies, China, Philippine Islands, British India, Japan, Malay
Peninsula, Egypt, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
The value of resident representatives is too obvious to require
any argument for the extension of this feature of our service.
The field for European investigations by special agents imme
diately upon the conclusion of the war will be so extensive that,
the Bureau will require greatly increased funds. Among the
more important subjects of these market investigations may be
mentioned industrial machinery of various kinds; mill and fac
tory equipment other than machinery; builders’ and other hard
ware; construction materials other than lumber; machine tools;
railway equipment and supplies; electrical equipment for indus
trial plants and small electrical goods; lumber; vehicles, tires, and
other accessories; agricultural machinery and implements of all
kinds; and kitchen utensils and sanitary supplies and appliances.
American concerns have a tremendous field for service to our
allies in helping them rebuild and for future business.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Congress does not provide for the service of collecting and piiblishing statistics of internal commerce. This was discontinued in
1912 for want of an appropriation. There is a constant demand
for statistics of commercial movements on rivers, canals, and the
Great Lakes, coastwise shipments between Gulf and Atlantic
ports, and other phases of domestic trade for which no official
statistics are available. The war services have asked informa
tion of the kind which we could not supply.
Our shipments to foreign countries by parcel post are rapidly
increasing, and the total value of this business probably amounts
to several millions annually. The statistical laws make no pro
vision for requiring returns of goods sent by mail, and they are
therefore not included in the export statistics. Plans are being
considered to remedy this condition.
A weakness of the district-office service is that with rare excep
tions there is no second man in the office with qualifications
approaching those of the man in charge. This is a serious handi
cap to the district-office manager and is a particular hardship to
the Bureau and to the local commerce when a change takes place
in the management of the office. Provision should be made for
increasing the force of all the district offices at least 75 per cent
and several of them 100 per cent during the coming year, and not
less than five additional offices should be established, as there are
at present that number of cities in the country in which the busi
ness men should be better served by the Bureau. Additional
cooperative offices should also be established in the larger cities,
which now have vigorous commercial organizations and which
feel the demand for the foreign-trade information which the
Bureau possesses.
Closely connected with the district-office organization there is
a grave need for traveling commercial agents, at least two, who
will spend the greater part of their time conferring with business
men on the solution of their trade problems at factories and offices
where the problems originate. These agents would also tie up all
district offices in a unified program of mutual helpfulness and in
stant response to public demands in ways that can be ascertained
only by daily contact with business men.
Too much emphasis can not be placed on the desirability of em
ploying trained economists, statisticians, and experts on banking,
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
63
shipping, etc., in excess of the Bureau’s present force. These
types of economic authority are constantly needed to conduct
work equal in importance to that performed by the great Federal
commissions in Washington. The Bureau is frequently called
upon to undertake tasks outside of its regular routine, such as the
dye and chemical census, compilations of foreign embargo laws,
surveys of extraordinary economic conditions in Russia, for in
stance, and other like studies. It is hoped that salaries commen
surate with those found necessary by other divisions of the Gov
ernment for the employment of such experts may be authorized
by Congress.
This introduces mention of the Bureau’s utter inability to secure
employees in competition with other Government commissions
and private concerns. In order to meet the increased cost of
living, particularly at Washington, and to retain desirable men
for whom there is a growing demand in every direction, liberal
increases in salaries have come about automatically wherever it
was necessary to hold organizations together. The Bureau’s dis
ability in this respect has cost it many a valuable employee during
the year and has prevented men of the highest qualifications from
entering the service. Especially urgent is the need for larger
appropriations in the commercial-attaché service to retain the
present successful incumbents and to provide for new posts. To
the increased living costs abroad, where commodities are becoming
scarcer every day, we must add the declining value of the dollar
in certain countries, the most notable instance of this being in
China, where the rising value of silver exchange has made the
dollar worth only about one-half its value of a year ago. The
attaché posts are further handicapped by the limit of salaries
for clerks to attachés at $1,500, making it necessary to apply to
Congress for post allowances in order to keep these employees
merely clothed and fed.
Our country is looking to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic
Commerce to do its share in preparing the country for economic
security and prosperity after the war, when the chief industrial
and commercial forces in both hemispheres will be ready to launch
great organizations on the commercial seas in quest of trade.
The instinct of commercial self-preservation demands organized
action. This is not the time for short-sighted thrift. Other
countries are looking ahead and spending money to organize for
their commercial security. A wisely liberal preparation now will
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
mean millions of income some day to this country, will mean in
dustrial prosperity for our labor, and will mean strength for
our economic structure against adverse conditions or sharper
competition from any quarter. No country has excelled us in
the type of commercial service which we have for six years past
rendered to the business community, and this position should
be maintained by us regardless of our temporary absorption in
military defense.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS.
(D r. S . W . S t r a t t o n , D ir e c to r .)
. The functions of the National Bureau of Standards are the
development, construction, custody, and maintenance of reference
and working standards and their intercomparison, improvement,
and application in science, engineering, industry, and commerce.
When the United States entered the war this sendee already
possessed exceptional facilities, equipment, and personnel for exact
scientific research in physics, chemistry, and engineering. This
enabled it to take up promptly many important military researches.
The Bureau, indeed, cooperated with the Army and Navy, prior
to the war, in the development of radio apparatus, in developing
automatic devices for recording battleship target practice, the
design of optical systems for submarine periscopes and other
purposes, the testing of all kinds of supplies, and the furnishing
of data in electricity, heat, light, engineering, and chemistry.
The laboratories, so useful during peace, proved of especial
importance in war. Instruments, materials, and supplies were
on hand which were then almost unobtainable elsewhere. The
Bureau promptly extended its service to all lines of scientific
work which would assist in the war.
In anticipation of demands the Bureau before the war had
begun special researches known to be required. The urgency of
many of these problems was not realized even by those in close
touch with the situation. The absolute cutting off of the opticalglass supply, the failure of the linen supply, the total lack of ship
chronometers, and the necessary uses of light alloys are examples.
The rapidity with which the military researches were prosecuted
is gratifying, as is the fine spirit of cooperation exhibited. The
one thought has been the fullest aid where science could help win
the war. The expansion of the Bureau to meet the new demands
engaged the most serious attention of the staff, and men and
facilities were freely furnished for military work. Practically
every section of the Bureau’s regular organization has had military
problems of the most pressing nature submitted to it, and invalu
able service has been rendered.
The recent expansion of the Bureau has been on lines vital to
the success of the war. It is interesting to note, however, that
many of these lines are of essential value to our industries in
peace. The need for the national provision for master-gauge
8 7 4 8 1 — 18 ---- 5
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
standardization was only realized by those in close touch with
such work. The establishment of a gauge-standardization labora
tory has proven an important aid to the mechanical industries.
The accurate dimensioning of the functioning parts of mechanisms
will permit extending the American system of manufacturing
interchangeable parts to its maximum usefulness. The impor
tance of nation-wide standardization has long been known, but
the practical working out of such standardization is best met by
a national laboratory such as the Bureau of Standards. The
same principle holds for all the technologies and special branches
of physics. The researches now being conducted for war purposes
will prove of inestimable permanent value for the general welfare.
The combination of pure science and technology has proven
especially stimulating and effective. The close cooperation of
physicists and engineers in practical as well as theoretical work
has given an unusual breadth to such researches. In turn, the
technologic facilities have proven of great value in the purely
scientific work. Many cases might be cited where the elements
of a research problem ramify into laboratories of practically every
division of the Bureau. The airplane is an example, and a problem
apparently as simple as the spark plug has called for experiments
in many different sections of the Bureau. The establishment of
new industries in America, such as those of optical glass and chemi
cal porcelain, and the scientific remodeling of older industries are
fruits of the more intimate cooperation of science and industry
which it is the function of the Bureau to perfect.
Aeronautical Research.
During the year scientific problems in nearly all branches of
aeronautics have been investigated by the Bureau, comprising
material, design, power sources, and technical data. The work
is being done in cooperation with the National Advisory Com
mittee for Aeronautics and the military departments of the Gov
ernment. The primary researches include the development of
systems of laboratory tests cf all details of airplane design, such
as materials, construction, efficiency of form, motor performance,
the efficiency of lubrication, carburetion, ignition, choice of fuel,
propeller and plane performance, measuring instruments, and the
appliances and physical constants required throughout for control.
These and other pertinent airplane investigations were taken up
in the laboratories of the Bureau under closely simulated service
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
67
conditions, embracing such factors as air pressure and air move
ment, temperature, vibration, humidity, etc.
The engineering testing and investigation covered airplane parts,
the use of spruce in airplane construction and mahogany for pro
pellers, the development of instruments for measuring the tension
in airplane cables, study of shock-absorbing wheels for airplanes
and sea planes, and many others.
A unique feature of the airplane-research program now under
way is the development, in connection with the National Advisory
Committee for Aeronautics, of a system of free-flight tests made
in normal flying as actually practiced by Army aviators. Here
the problem is to develop a series of autographic instruments,
which during free flight will furnish the primary data for a sci
entific study of the theory on which airplanes are designed. The
six autographic instruments have been designed at the laboratories
of the Bureau of Standards, and three have been completed.
These will furnish, without any attention from the aviator, a
continuous graphic time record during the entire period of flight,
showing the engine torque, revolutions per minute, propeller thrust,
plane speed, angle of attack, and inclination with horizon.
The epoch-making advance of all phases of aeronautics during
the great war has caused experts to realize the strategic importance
of perfect control of aircraft with speed and precision. The
mastery of the air depends upon such control, which in turn de
pends upon a whole battery of measuring instruments for indicat
ing position, direction, speed, temperatures, pressures, etc.
The Bureau’s aeronautical-instrument laboratory had done
fundamental work on the theory of the altimeter and had been
testing such instruments for several years before the war began.
The staff was promptly increased and now consists of about 35
men. The work of this section is to discover sources of error or
improvement in the instruments on which aviators depend for
aerial navigation, scouting, fighting, and bombing, and to develop
standard testing methods. In one instance, the Bureau's tests
caused the rejection of 5,000 altimeters.
The Bureau is now engaged in further researches to promote the
operative efficiency of these devices. It has been in close touch
with the manufacturing industries in order to make these instru
ments more reliable and to guard especially against errors due to
low temperature, vibration, and centrifugal effects occurring during
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REPORT OR THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
the banking of planes. New kinds of dynamometers, for example,
have been designed.
Information gained by this section has been given in lectures
to aviation officers supplemented by laboratory demonstrations.
Many technical conferences with those concerned have been the
means of furnishing a great deal of information. Reports have
been made covering many aspects of aviation instruments. The
Bureau furnished the data upon which the specifications for avia
tion instruments, were drawn for the Signal Corps. The Bureau’s
experts visit the factories and the factory experts visit the Bureau
for cooperation in overcoming errors and improving output.
The Bureau staff has not only conducted theoretical and experi
mental researches in the laboratory under simulated service con
ditions, but its experts have also studied the instruments in actual
flight, including air-speed meters and dynamometers.
The work of aeronautical research required special attention to
be given to aerodynamics. A special laboratory for this purpose
was built, containing a wind tunnel provided with a wind stream
maintained by a 9-foot propeller mounted directly upon the shaft
of a 100-horsepower motor. Air speeds of 90 miles were obtained
in this tunnel. The purpose of the wind tunnel is to test measuring
instruments used on airplanes, to study the design of airplane
parts, stabilizing control devices, the efficiency of stream lines,
plane sections, etc. For example, the tests included models of
airplane and dirigible air-speed indicators, bomb-dropping devices,
characteristics of aerial bombs in the wind tunnel, and the like.
Incidental uses of the wind tunnel have been made in the study of
wind stresses on telephone, telegraph, and electric-power wires
coated with ice, and the efficiency of ventilators.
Airplane Power Plants.
At the beginning of the fiscal year, research on airplane-motor
problems, such as the radiator and spark-plug design problem,
was already under way; this work has greatly expanded and
many research problems on aeronautic power plants and ac
cessories have been taken up. An altitude laboratory has been
built and put in operation in which aeronautic engines can be
tested at the atmospheric pressures and temperatures encoun
tered at high altitudes under service conditions in warfare. One
hundred and twenty sets of observations have been made and
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
69
results of great importance secured. A dynamometer laboratory
has been constructed and equipped with a 400-horsepower dyna
mometer. This lias been of special service in the spark-plug and
lubrication investigations.
The effective operation of airplanes at the front depends upon
perfecting the essential functioning parts of the engine and also
upon the maintenance of the most efficient adjustment of carbu
retor, lubrication, etc., at all altitudes. The Bureau’s work has
covered both the design and the working characteristics. A study
has been made in particular of spark plugs. Fifty compositions of
porcelain were made and studied, and the porcelain which showed
the highest performance was selected. In operating the spark
plug it became essential to study the various types of magnetos,
and favorable results have been obtained. The results of the
ignition investigations are being utilized by manufacturers and
the various military bureaus.
The Bureau was enabled to locate serious faults with the car
bureting systems when operated at high altitudes, and, as a result,
a radical improvement may now be expected in this equipment.
More than 100 radiator designs'for airplane use w ere tested out.
New features are to be undertaken with a view to the most effective
design. Valuable results have been obtained in the investigation
of lubricants, and since the lubricating problem is a vital factor
in airplanes, these results are important in that field. Tests have
been made oi various models of the Hispana-Suiza and Liberty
motors as to performance, durability, lubrication, etc.
The basic scientific problems are being attacked in these re
searches which, when correlated with related work in other parts
of the Bureau, will mark a distinct advance in airplane construc
tion and operation.
Standardization of Munitions Master Gauges.
A particularly urgent need upon our entrance into the war was
for an adequate supply of standardized master gauges for making
munitions. Such gauges are a fundamental requisite. The
Bureau had already begun such gauge work in its weights and
measures laboratories. A matter so vital to the increase in
munitions called for by the declaration of war caused the
Bureau to anticipate this need, and it actively prepared to take
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
up the work to meet the demand to come from the military depart
ments and munitions industries. The rapid organization of the
technical and mechanical force to handle the great variety of
gauges required for producing munitions has been a fine achieve
ment; its success is unqualified. The Bureau’s chief expert
in charge has entered the military service to cooperate in this
work of gauge testing for the arsenals and munitions plants.
Before the war only one member of the Bureau staff was engaged
in this work; at the close of the fiscal year a staff of 140 was
busy in it. A branch gauge laboratory has been established in
New York City, and laboratories in Cleveland, Ohio, and Bridge
port, Conn., are to be opened soon.
The testing of master gauges is perhaps the most fundamental
and exacting kind of work in connection with war materials. So
important are the dimensions of gun parts and shells that accuracy
of fire, safety, and durability of guns depend upon the precision
of the gauges by which the gun parts and shells are measured.
The tests are made promptly and the gauges returned at once with
the reports of the tests. In Julv, 1917, 244 gauges were tested as
compared with 5,559 gauges during the month of June, 1918.
Within one month 150 master gauges were measured for one type
of gun alone. The gauge section has a shop for the construction of
special apparatus required for the rapid and accurate testing of
complicated gauges. About 50 machines have been manufac
tured in this shop for measuring screw threads and profile gauges.
The staff has been of particular service in the salvage and building
of gauges required for exigency needs. This has saved valuable
gauges and has avoided the serious delay required to produce new
gauges. Of the 27,865 gauges tested during the year, about 60
per cent were for the Army Ordnance Department, 15 per cent for
the Motor Transport Division of the United States Army, 10 per
cent for the Signal Corps, and the remainder for other branches of
the Government and war-essential industries.
Optical Instruments and Light.
The Bureau’s optical staff has rendered most important service
in connection with the war. This includes the manufacture of
optical glass, the design and construction of new optical instru
ments for military purposes, the testing of such instruments and
others purchased for war use, and also highly technical work on
radiometry, spectroscopy, and colorimetry.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
71
The technical staff in optics has aided in the design of optical
systems for periscopes, airplane cameras, long-distance cameras,
gun-sight telescopes, stadimeter telescopes, field glasses, etc.
The Bureau has especially cooperated to bring about quantity
production of the instruments essential to {he Army and Navy.
More than 2,000 instruments and parts have been tested. These
are mainly American instruments made of American optical glass.
The high standard of perfection attained is a gratifying result of
the active cooperation between the military departments, the
Bureau, and the industries.
Closely related to the above are the applications of optical
methods during the year to the measurement of the expansion of
such materials as standard steel gauges, fused quartz, and optical
glass. The Bureau has perfected instruments and methods for
standardizing methods of turbidimetry, a new and important
branch of measurement applicable, for example, to smoke, fog,
dusty gases, muddy rivers, ocean turbidity, and the special cases
of optical glass, crystals, opal and milk glass; in fact, wherever
solid suspensions are an important factor. The industrial appli
cations include tanning, dyeing, paper manufacture, a control of
city-water filtration, the regulation of the maximum smoke and
dust permitted to be discharged into the atmosphere in the cities,
and numerous others.
With the advent of the war foreign sources of optical glass were
cut off, and, of course, no German glass could be obtained. The
French and English needed every pound of their own production
and were unable to meet their own requirements. The problem
of producing glass of the kinds and qualities required for mili
tary purposes was a most serious one. The need for the most
perfect obtainable binoculars, camera lenses, optical systems for
periscppes, range finders, and optical glass for other purposes
could scarcely be overstated, as in a very real sense such opticalglass products are the eyes of the military services.
At the time we entered the war the Bureau had been actively
interested for several years in the problem of producing optical
glass in the United States. It was believed that this country
could be a producer of optical glass, and the Bureau planned to do
its part in stimulating such production, both by experiment and
research and by the closest possible cooperation with the indus
tries concerned. When we became a belligerent the problem was
no longer one of national pride or revenue or independence of
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
foreign supplies. The production of optical glass in America
became an acute, vital, and immediate necessity. The Bureau,
therefore, promptly expanded its force and assigned the needed
assistance to the existing glass section of the Bureau, with in
structions to develop the methods of producing optical glasses of
all varieties required, on a commercial scale. The technical lit
erature contained a sufficient variety of acceptable formulas, but
little as to technique. Experiments were conducted by the
Bureau, and every detail of the manufacture was worked out by
study of theory, by actual experiment, and by the study of each
factor affecting the optical quality of the glasses produced. The
result was gratifying. The Bureau has developed the types of
optical glass required for military purposes in the war, and has
produced them on a commercial scale. It is now supplying
optical glass in quantities made in its own shops to be used for the
manufacture of optical instruments. The glass is of excellent
quality. The Bureau also made the clay pots in which the glass
was melted. Strangely enough, the problem of producing suitable
clay pots for the purpose was one of the fundamental problems in
quality production— one which had not been solved by private
manufacturers. The Bureau determined the clays suitable and
the methods of making the glass pots. It actually produced the
pots in the quantity required for its own work and furnished the
industries with directions for making them.
The Bureau has fully cooperated with all glassmakers in pro
ducing a supply adequate for war purposes.
The study of the defects in optical glass will prove useful in all
future work on this subject. Methods are now available at the
Bureau for studying bubbles, stones, and stria;, and the effects of
such defects upon the resulting image. Gratifying success re
sulted from the effort to produce optical glass whose surface would
remain unimpaired. This result was obtained through the con
trol effected by the study of the weathering and other properties
of optical glass.
The Bureau has established an efficient optical shop for develop
ing and constructing new optical instruments and devices. The
optical glasses manufactured in the Bureau’s glass section have
been worked up into planes, prisms, mirrors, and lenses, as re
quired. It has produced optical devices of the highest grade of
workmanship. The various divisions of the Bureau have thus
been enabled to make use of optical systems in entirely novel ap-
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
/6
*7 •>
plications. It is needless to say that the results will be available
for industrial use wherever the principles are applicable.
Tests of the nonshatterability of laminated glass without undue
loss of light transparency shewed the material to be useful in the
development of eyeglasses, goggles, face masks, and wind shields,
to prevent the splinters produced in accident from injuring the
eye, especially in the case of aviators and certain industrial workers.
Important investigations in radiometry have been made during
the year. Standards of radiation in absolute measure were intercompared. Methods were developed for measurements required
in the life tests of incandescent lamps. The effect of radiation on
ballot n fabrics was studied experimentally. The rising tempera
ture of the fabric when exposed to solar radiation was measured,
using the precision thermocouple. A small-size model balloon is
now being used for this study. Extensive data have been ob
tained of the photo-electric sensitivity of molybdenite, in view of
possible important applications of these properties. The Bureau’s
work on glasses for protecting the eyes from injurious radiations
has been extended by gathering new data on the transmission of
the invisible ultra-violet and infra-red radiations. The Bureau
has furnished data on various phases of radiation for military
applications.
Mine and Railroad-Track Scales.
The mine-scale work of the Bureau of Standards, for which Con
gress made special provision for a nation-wide investigation, is of
special interest, in view of the need for maximum output of
coal at the mines. Disputes over weighings cause strikes, loss of
time, and reduced output. The Bureau experts were called upon,
and they found the conditions wholly unsatisfactory. In one
case a 2-ton scale was 616 pounds in error against the miner. Im
proper installation, faulty methods of weighing, and errors were
corrected and mines greatly improved. Indictments were found
and fines imposed on the evidence of Bureau experts. A general
awakening and improvement have resulted, and the prevention
of strikes and the renewed satisfaction of the miner has gone far
to maintain conditions favorable to a maximum output of coal
at the mines.
Since 1913 the Bureau has been testing master scales and
general track scales throughout the country. The hearty cooper
ation of State officials, railroad companies, weights and measures
inspectors, shippers, and others has insured the success of the
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
work. The Bureau is called upon to settle disputes, to test the
master scales by which the local track scales are adjusted, and to
advise as to methods of operating such scales and keeping them
in effective condition. This work becomes of special importance
in view of the Government control of railroads. The vast freight
revenue is based upon the weighings of these scales. The Director
General of the Railroads has, therefore, authorized the Bureau to
make tests and reports on railroad scales or test cars. During the
year new units have been added to the traveling test equipments
of the Bureau. Tests of 583 master and track scales were made, of
which less than half passed the test. Of the industrial scales 36
per cent and of the railroad scales only 42 per cent were able to
meet the requirements. In addition, the Bureau calibrated 31
test cars owned by the railroads. As a primary standard for this
entire work a master scale has been ordered and completed. A
suitable housing for it is now required with an auxiliary laboratory
for calibrating the test-car weights.
Standardization of Timepieces.
The ti ne laboratory of the Bureau maintains a precision stand
ard clock of theRiefler type corrected from the noon signals from the
Naval Observatory. The Bureau’s clock in a recent 54-day run
exhibited remarkable accuracy, maintaining a constant rate
within 0.15 of a second anda net change of rate during the 54days
of 0.01 of a second. The standard clock is connected electrically
with the laboratories, which require precise time measurements.
The Bureau has for several years been equipped to test timepieces
in the most rigorous manner for the Government and the public.
The complete lack of ship chronometers on the American market
at the outbreak of the war made it necessary to secure substitute
timepieces. This was done by the Bureau in cooperation with the
Emergency Fleet Corporation. More than 5,000 timepieces have
been tested within the year, practically all for the United States
Shipping Board, the Army, and the Navy.
Sound and Acoustics.
An interesting feature of the Bureau’s work has been the devel
opment of its laboratory for the study of sound. This has been
placed upon a practical basis during the year by the acquisition
of much-needed equipment. The applications of acoustics to
warfare have been quite important. These include elements in
the problems of sound ranging and the detection of submarines,
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
75
airplanes, and enemy operations by acoustic methods. Devices
have been perfected which analyze sounds into their components.
A special study has been made in the sound laboratory of the photo
graphic analysis of sound waves with particular reference to the
improvement of airplane-engine mufflers.
Electrical Research and Testing.
The electrical work of the Bureau is of two kinds— first, the
establishment and maintenance of fundamental standards for all
electrical measurements used in research and engineering (involving
researches in the most refined methods of measurements and the
most delicate and precise apparatus); and, secondly, engineering
applications of electricity, including a limited amount of testing
of commercial instruments and products. All this work is impor
tant for the business of war, as well as that of peace. Important
service was rendered to the military departments in the standard
ization of electrical equipment for military use, the formulation of
proper specifications for the purchase and testing of such equip
ment, and the development of new and hitherto unavailable
equipment for the new exigencies. The Bureau made tests of
electrical blasting devices for firing trench mortars and mines, and
redesigned these machines with great reduction in their weight
and cost and increase in their reliability. Extensive investiga
tions of the electrical ignition systems for airplane and other gaso
line engines have been carried out. This, combined with the
Bureau’s work in ceramics, has resulted in a great improvement in
the quality of spark plugs made in this country. An extensive
comparison of magneto and battery systems of ignition has also
been made with the promise of marked improvement. Specifi
cations have been prepared and revised after experimental labora
tory work under controlled temperature conditions. The large
number of such batteries used for m ilitary purposes and the extreme
importance of their unvarying and proper functioning make this
problem one of unusual importance and urgency.
In the field of special illuminants the Bureau was able to assist
the military departments in developing trench flares, portable
acetylene lights, and field searchlights. The Bureau is testing
self-luminous paints. Radium has had direct application to
military uses as a component of self-luminous materials employed
extensively on the dials of aeronautic and other instruments
used at night. In the important field of X-rays, special atten
tion has been given to the development of protective materials
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
to safeguard the users of X-ray equipment, and gratifying results
have been obtained in the improvement of this class of material.
The novel methods of magnetic analysis developed at the Bureau
for testing steel rails and other magnetic materials are now being
used in testing steel for rifle barrels with the object of materially
speeding up the production of rifles.
While the commercial and engineering work of the Bureau
has found direct military application, its highly specialized staff
and equipment, however, ordinarily engaged in refined research
in more or less abstract scientific questions has been turned
directly upon the development of scientific instruments for use
in the war and the solution of other war problems, some of which
have long puzzled the naval and military authorities. Much of
this work is of a confidential nature.
Special equipment has been designed for the measurement of
the velocity of projectiles, and the Bureau has contributed in no
small part to the methods now in regular use for this purpose.
Another important field in which successful work has been done is
the development of equipment for locating hostile batteries on
land and for detecting subterranean sounds. In the field of radio
communication, the Bureau has contributed the designs of various
instruments, has made extensive tests of materials for use in such
apparatus, and has contributed large numbers of completed
instruments. It has served also as a source of supply for highly
trained men for the military radio service and has prepared
circulars which are serving as the most up-to-date textbooks in
the service radio schools.
Public Utilities.
As a result of the research and testing done by the electrical
division, important work has developed on public-utility services,
such as electric light and power, gas, street railway, telephone,
and heating service. The Bureau had already contributed mate
rially to the establishment of public-utility standards for several
of these services. It has also promoted with marked success the
practice of settling disputes on the basis of sound engineering
and of cooperation between interests rather than by litigation,
and in so doing has attained an enviable position as an impartial
mediator. During the past year the abnormal conditions gave
rise to many cases in which readjustment of sendee standards
or of rates has been called for and the public-utility stall of the
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
77
Bureau has been called upon for an extraordinary amount of work.
Congress in providing a special appropriation ma<!e possible impor
tant additions to the staff toward the close, of the year.
In the field of gas service the Bureau last year carried out
extensive tests on the relative usefulness of different qualities of
gas. The resiilts obtained this year found wi ‘e application where
the fuel supply necessitated change of quality. Manufactured
gas is a most available source of toluol, a material essential in the
manufacture of munitions. The Bureau’s expeidence in connec
tion with gas manufacture enabled it to contribute important
data on methods of recovering toluol, to give valuable advice to
military authorities in the formulation of contracts for the con
struction and operation of toluol plants, and finally to assist in a
readjustment of gas-service requirements to allow the removal of
toluol and benzol from the gas.
In the field of electric service a wider adoption of the National
Electrical Safety Code developed by the Bureau has been secured
during the year. This code covers most completely the construc
tion, operation, and maintenance of electrical plants and is con
tributing materially to the adequacy of service and uniformity of
requirements throughout the country, as well as the effective
safeguarding of life and property. The Bureau has assisted
various cities in reducing the damage from stray electric currents,
and despite war conditions active work in this line has been carried
on during the past year. Particular success was had in recon
ciling conflicting interests without recourse to the courts. A
striking result is that in some communities damage by electrolysis
has been practically eliminated by methods which have actually
been profitable to the electric railway companies because the
saving of power more than offset the expense of the work.
In tire field of telephone service the Bureau has for several years
been engaged in laying thorough foundations for future work.
The development of an acute situation in the telephone-service
situation of Washington gave occasion for the service to take up
this problem actively. While time did not permit a thorough
going study, we contributed material information highly useful
in future consideration of telephone-service requirements.
In all such public-utility work the importance of a central
agency to correlate the activities of the numerous State and
city authorities can hardly be overemphasized. Even if it were
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
possible it would be uneconomical for each State commission to
maintain an engineering staff capable of solving all the questions
which arise.
Heat and Temperature.
The important applications of heat measurements in the indus
tries and the need for standardized ecjuipment for this purpose have
made the heat laboratories of the Bureau of special service to
industries engaged in the technology of materials and in techno
logic research generally.
An important investigation of the fire-resisting properties of
structural materials has been conducted to furnish architects, con
struction engineers, builders, State and city building bureaus,
insurance interests, and others with basic data for the efficient
design of structures with a view to a minimum fire loss. In the
study of fire-resistive properties of materials, structural steel col
umns were specially investigated. Many such columns with and
without protective coating were tested in a specially devised fur
nace. The research showed that unprotected columns which would
fail in half an hour, if properly protected by concrete or other
material, would remain intact for eight hours. The resistive prop
erty of concrete columns was found to depend largely upon the
aggregate used. Quartz aggregate proved specially resistive.
Seventy-five steel and iron columns were tested during the year,
all designed according to standard current practice with a view to
excellent workmanship.
In addition to the above, 40 columns of reinforced concrete were
submitted to fire test. The columns were subjected to pressure
such as is encountered in structures and were mounted within a gasfired furnace. Valuable results wrere obtained which will greatly
aid in the effective design for similar columns in actual use. The
column research is typical of the Bureau’s investigation of the fireresistive properties of materials. It has already yielded valuable
information and promises further results of importance to the build
ing industries.
The work of testing temperature-measuring and recording devices
continued. The practice of using misleading clinical thermometer
certificates has been broken up. Publicity resulted in stopping
the use of those certificates to which the Bureau objected. Our
experts have visited the factories in which clinical and other ther
mometers are made with a view to more effective cooperation with
this important industry.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
79
The subject of airplane thermometry was investigated; we aided
in preparing specifications for several types of thermometers for
airplanes.
The Bureau is now conducting check tests of samples of mate
rials to control the quality of deliveries on war contracts.
An example of an important physical constant is the solidifying
point of naphthalene which the Treasury Department uses in the
collection of duties. The Bureau developed a standard method
for determining this point, prepared detailed specifications for the
method and the temperature-measuring instruments to be used,
and will distribute standard samples of naphthalene for use in
other laboratories.
The high-temperature scale is maintained through the melting
or freezing point of certain pure metals, such as zinc, aluminum,
and copper. Standard samples of these metals were prepared during
the previous year, and many of these samples were distributed
to the metallurgical industries in standardizing the master instru
ments for checking the pyrometers used in these industries. The
special demand for these samples from the arsenals, navy yards,
and war-essential industries has exceeded our capacity to produce
them under war conditions. The standard analyzed samples of
sugar and naphthalene have enabled users of calorimeters to check
the accuracy of their own instruments. This is especially impor
tant now that large fuel contracts are based on the heat value of
the fuel.
The study of low temperatures down to that of liquid air is pro
vided for by special machinery housed in a building constructed
for the purpose. This equipment has been of the utmost service
to the various research laboratories of the Bureau as well as to
others. The variety of applications of low temperature in various
industries is remarkable and is steadily increasing.
Researches on Metals and Alloys.
Metals are so vital a factor in the war that the division on
metallurgy has been able to render important service. During
the year a new building was completed for the metallurgical work,
which is now installed in its new quarters. This laboratory con
tains a foundry, heat-treating and mechanical plant, rolling mill,
power presses, shearing equipment, drawing bench for drawing
metal tubes, and a machine shop, thus enabling the Bureau to
prepare and investigate alloys, both ferrous and nonferrous, of all
kinds.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
The year’s work comprised the examination of gun metals,
light alloys for aircraft, many alloys for special military’ uses,
and pure metals required for technical purposes. The foundry
has made 2,249 separate experimental castings during the year.
The recent development of light alloys has opened a new chapter in
industrial work. The Bureau researches on alloys were given
special impetus by the visit of its chief expert to the battle front in
France for the study of gun metals and aircraft alloys under war
conditions. Light alloys are essential in aircraft, where both
lightness and strength are required. It developed that metallur
gists were unacquainted with the physicochemical data concerning
aluminum and its remarkable series of special alloys. Circulars
were, therefore, prepared for technical metallurgists and users of
such alloys, and a consolidated circular on this important subject
is in press. Many compositions in this series were cast and rolled
for the Bureau and studied in its laboratories.
Substantial progress has been made in the study of fusible
metals, the melting points of which control the functioning of such
devices as automatic lire sprinklers, safety plugs for steam boilers,
and others. The output of fusible tin plugs used as safety devices
in steam boilers is controlled as to quality by the Bureau’s re
searches. The work in metallurgy has covered numerous other
subjects. Low tin solders, bronze, and bearing metals have been
developed to aid the War Industries Board in conserving of tin.
The serious erosion of machine-gun barrels was the object of a
special technical study.
Experimental work was done to establish standards of uni
formity for the copper plugs used in testing powders. Standards
of composition and thermal treatment were developed for the
special metals used in aeronautic instruments.
In the research foundry, methods were developed with respect
to standard Government bronze, and details are soon to be pub
lished. Standards are being developed for molding sands which
we believe will save 90 per cent of the so-called “ burnt” sand. A
standard method of determining carbon content of steel, devised
during the year, permits complete determination in less than five
minutes. A convenient method for determining nitrogen has also
been devised, as well as new forms for determining other gases.
The great variety of investigative tests includes many novel
ones, such as centrifugal steel casting, a new process for obtaining
sound steel of a line uniform quality; investigative tests of armor
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Si
plate; studies of the uniformity of electroplated coatings, and of
zinc sherardized coatings, tarnishing, working temperatures of
machine-gun baiTels, structure of gun forgings, suitability of
metal for airplane-motor valves, machine-gun barrels, rifle bullets,
and the causes of failure of airplane-engine parts. The above shows
the range of the Bureau’s work in metals. To this should be added
the full cooperation which the metal experts have always accorded
the military bureaus on metal problems and in the development of
standards of quality of metals for war purposes, notably the excel
lent series of “ International Aircraft Standards,” developed in
cooperation by the Bureau and the technical representatives of
the Allied Powers.
Testing of Instruments and Materials.
Apart from scientific researches and technological studies, the
Bureau during the year has conducted thousands of tests, many of
an investigative character. Examples, in round numbers, will
indicate the magnitude of this work. About 18,000 thermometers
were tested, including 13,000 clinical thermometers. About 200
tests of thermocouples and pyrometers for high - temperature
measurements were made. The metallurgical division made 1,289
thermal analyses, heat treatment, and other kinds of metal tests,
besides more than 2,000 separate castings for experimental pur
poses. About 2,000 tests on military optical instruments were
made in the optical laboratories. The chemical work included
18.000 chemical tests during the year. It is now growing rapidly,
and 30,000 tests will probably be made during the coming year.
The Bureau certified 3,500,000 barrels of cement for the Govern
ment departments and tested more than 5,000 timepieces, nearly
3.000 pieces of volumetric apparatus, and 28,000 precision gauges.
In general the testing work, especially of military supplies and
equipment, has increased greatly. In order to keep pace with the
increase beyond the capacity of the regidar staff, the Bureau
secured the cooperation of the War Department through detail of
technical experts from the Army to assist the experts of the
Bureau.
There is a growing tendency on the part of the military depart
ments to improve standards of quality and performance. Without
these, competitive buying may be more harmful than helpful. In
this work the Bureau has extended the use of its facilities to the
utmost.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Materials.
The measurement and investigation of the properties of materials
have in recent industrial practice become a vital necessity. In
no other way than by an exact knowledge of these properties can
high efficiency be had. The successful war work of the Bureau
was possible because it had already studied the properties of
materials useful from a military point of view— for example,
optical glass, light alloys, gun metal, cotton fabricated as sub
stitute for linen in airplanes, low tin solders, and the like.
Our work on structural materials was immediately applicable
to the construction of cantonments and other military structures,
upon many phases of which the Bureau was consulted and ren
dered aid. It actively experimented and assisted paper manufac
turers in the development of the new cantonment board which is
far superior to the older wall boards. The Bureau has investi
gated such structural materials as steel, cement, brick, limestone»
paints, roofing material, including both bitumens and roofing
plate. Miscellaneous materials investigated and tested are
lubricating oils, rubber, leather, textiles, paper, glass, clays, and
clay products ranging from terra-cotta tiling to the highest grades
of porcelain. In this connection a striking feature of our work is
the close union of the practical manufacture on an experimental
scale of the materials studied with advanced theoretical studies
of the contributory sciences bearing upon such materials. An
example of this is seen in the control of American clays through
the application of physical chemistry. The Bureau is enabled by
this close relationship to make immediate practical application of
the principles of science.
In order that the experts in the various laboratories may have
definite and known samples to work with and for the purpose
of trying out or developing new methods, small manufacturing
units have been installed, including a paper mill, rubber mill,
optical-glass works, cement mill, and the textile mills which are
about to be installed in the Bureau’s new laboratory.
In this connection may be mentioned the important fact that
a fine laboratory for industrial research is now under construction
and will be ready for use in a few months. This laboratory when
completely equipped will be one of the most effective of its kind
in the world. In no national institution in the world is the union
between pure science and practical technology so intimate as in
the work of the Bureau of Standards.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
83
Chemistry.
The chemical work of the Bureau was transferred to the new
chemical laboratory early during the year. The staff has expanded
from 58 to 146, partly by the detail of chemists from the Army
to assist in military testing and research. The work has already
outgrown its newTquarters, and the laboratory is now housing 25
per cent more work than was planned for it.
The chemical division serves all the scientific and technical
divisions of the Bureau, and also renders important service to the
industries by the standardization of chemicals and reagents and
by devising new methods of analysis and improving existing
methods. Practically every military problem involves at some
point a chemical question. The entire chemical staff of the Bureau
has been placed at the disposition of the military branches for
technical consultation, and much sendee has been rendered in
formally in this manner, as well as by manuscript reports and
printed scientific and technological papers.
In connection with the balloon-gas research the Bureau gave
technical advice based on experiments which have effected a large
daily saving. The chemists of the Bureau assisted the Food
Administration in the conservation of materials, such as ammonia,
required by the refrigeration industries. The Bureau has also
done work on the standards of quality in chemical reagents, a
work of a character as fundamental to chemical science as gauges
and measures are to the mechanical industries.
By means of these samples the chemical laboratories in the
metal and other industries test the accuracy of the analyses made
by their chemists. The samples also permit the testing of the
accuracy of new and modified methods of analysis. Incidentally
they have proven of value in connection with educational work in
chemistry.
«
The system of standard analyzed samples has had a most grati
fying development. This year the Bureau has placed the work on
a more independent and business-like basis by a special appropria
tion for the purpose.
Standardization of Sugar Technology.
Owing to the necessity of increasing to the greatest possible
degree the American output of sugar, the entire machinery of the
industry is overtaxed and upset. Many new problems demanding
solution at the earliest possible date have arisen. Additional
facilities and assistance were required to attack them. In order
84
REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OP COMMERCE.
to begin the work Congress granted an appropriation of $20,000
to be used for the standa rdizing of sugar-testing apparatus and the
development of technical specifications for the various grades of
sugar with particular reference to problems made pressing by war
conditions.
The United States has the largest and most diversified sugar
industry in the wo: Id, including, as it does, the cane and beet in
dustry, a great refining industry, a maple-sugar industry, a large
sirup industry, and a very important Government interest due to
the collection of a revenue from an import duty. The widespread
demand for technical assistance in these matters is shown by the
fact that an entire edition of 1,500 copies of the Bureau of Stand
ards’ circular on sugar was purchased by the public in less than
three weeks.
The Bureau’s Work for the Soldier.
The applications of science to military uses are illustrated by
several examples of the Bureau’s work directly affecting the com
fort and efficiency of the soldier. The soldier’s shoes are investi
gated in the laboratory and in the field to determine the most
suitable leather. A sole-leather-testing machine is used, and the
leather is chemically investigated while controlled service tests are
in progress by the soldiers in camp. The serviceability of shoe
strings has also been under test. Uniform cloth has been under
careful investigation for some time in the textile laboratories of
the Bureau. An expert was dispatched from the Bur eau to Eng
land and France to study the quality and serviceability of Armyuniform material, while in the laboratory the Bureau has been
making searching examinations of the various fabrics designed
and submitted. It has assisted in developing and selecting from
the available materials the present standard uniform button.
The heat conductivity of the soldier’s blanket has been studied.
Cotton blankets may equal wool blankets in this respect. The
Bu oau has investigated shelter tents, the soldier’s canteen, and
other kit equipment, washing and shaving soaps, combs, inks, and
other supplies for the soldier’s use.
The Bureau also determined by careful tests the most suitable
trench oil stove, taking account not only of its heating efficiency,
but the danger of observation from the light radiated on the
ground. It has standardized the gauges for making the service
rifle, has studied the problem of gun erosion, and the failure of gun
parts and material in service. All the men in the Navy carry an
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
85
identification tag devised by and prepared according to specifica
tions developed by the Bureau of Standards. In short, there is
scarcely a phase of the soldier’s needs and activities in which the
Bureau has not cooperated with the military departments to
secure the most effective provision for his comfort, convenience,
and fighting power.
The Metric System.
The War Department earl}- in the war decided to adopt the
metric system for use in connection with maps and gun-firing
data. The Ordnance Department has also adopted standard
metric-dimensioned guns, such as the 37-millimeter, 75-milli
meter, and 155-millimeter models, and this involves corresponding
changes in shell sizes. These uses of the metric system made it
desirable that the Bureau of Standards issue for the information
of the soldier a small manual. This has been prepared for publi
cation early in the coming fiscal year. Furthermore, there is a
demand for metric literature for the various officers’ training
camps, cantonments, radio schools, aviation schools, and other
military organizations. The Bureau has supplied for these pur
poses the graphic chart of the international metric system,
together with a descriptive pamphlet and table of equivalents.
The latter has proven of great value in connection with the manu
facture of war supplies by various war industries. Publications
which have proven of great assistance in developing export trade
are in demand for military purposes and will be of increasing
value for trade purposes upon the conclusion of peace.
The Importance of Guaranteed Standards in Industry.
The functions of the Bureau of Standards should be so enlarged
as to permit the maker of any standard commodity to submit a
specimen of his product for examination and to provide that the
Bureau, after such an examination, should certify to the facts
that a buyer, domestic or foreign, ought to know respecting the
nature of the article. The manufacturer should be permitted to
attach a copy of the certificate to all of his production of the
particular kind and quality so certified. Severe criminal penalties
should be provided for willful violation of the manufacturer’s
agreement to attach the certificate of the Bureau of Standards
only to goods coming fully up to the certified sample. It is not
intended that certification should be compulsory. The whole
matter should be voluntary action on the part of manufacturers.
86
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
When, however, a certificate has once been issued, the standard
of all goods bearing the certification must be kept up to the
standard certified, with heavy penalties for violation. It seems
only necessary, in order to bring this about, to have legislative
authorization for the Bureau to issue such certificates with a
penalty clause dealing with the improper use of them.
Something of this nature has already been done in connection
with export trade, and there is a measure of analogy in existing
pure-food legislation. The present proposal, however, is not a
police measure, but, on the contrary, a facility offered by the
Government to those who choose to use it without any compul
sion whatever.
It is analogous to the fixing of grain standards by Government
authority. The official grading of grain permits a precision in
handling grain through all domestic and foreign commercial
transactions that is now indispensable. It is no more difficult,
to say the least, to provide a standard certificate for manufac
tured articles than it is for grain.
It will be evident that such a certification would provide
authoritative knowledge to all buyers concerning the materials
bought. The Government to-day has means, by analysis, of
determining accurately the facts respecting the articles it buys,
and many large business houses have similar facilities for their
own use. The ordinary buyer, however, whether in connection
with business or personal purchases, is denied accurate knowledge.
No means are readily open to him to determine the quality of the
goods he purchases, and the tendency of competition is often
toward a reduction of quality as well as price. The fact, of course,
is that the individual buyer to-day must purchase on appearances
or upon the interested assurances of the seller rather than upon
any true knowledge of what it is that he is buying. An enormous
saving is possible if by the means suggested we can all of us come
to buy on the basis of ascertained and known quality.
The suggestion made is very far-reaching. It contains no ele
ment of monopoly. Any manufacturer, large or small, could
obtain a like certificate of standard quality if he produced the
goods. The public would quickly learn what the certificate meant,
and it would lead promptly and directly toward the improvement,
as well as the maintenance, of the quality of goods.
The plan would be useful, also, in the extension of our foreign
trade. The lack of confidence in goods bought in a distant
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
87
country is one of the barriers to free commercial intercourse. By
the proposed certificates a foreign buyer would be assured that
an order placed in the United States for standard goods would
reach him under a certificate from the United States Government
as to quality and that the power of our Government would be
strongly exerted to prevent and to punish any deviation from
standards. The proposed step would, at a single bound, put us
in a commanding moral position in our foreign trade.
* The suggestion made is not original with the Department, but
was brought before it for consideration by persons experienced in
domestic and foreign trade and in large financial operations. I do
not hesitate to urge that the course suggested be adopted.
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS.
( S a m . L . R o g e r s , D ir e c to r .)
During the fiscal year this Service completed for publication „
the final reports of the last quinquennial census of manufactures;
carried on its decennial canvasses of water transportation and
shipbuilding and of religious bodies, its quinquennial canvass of
electrical industries, and its special canvass of marriage and di
vorce; prepared and published the Official Register of the United
States; conducted its annual inquiries relating to bi ths, deaths,
States, and municipalities; published quarterly statistics of stocks
of leaf tobacco; made semimonthly and monthly collections and
publications of statistics on cotton, cotton seed, and cottonseed
products; completed reports on Negroes, deaf-mutes, and prison
ers and juvenile delinquents, and a statistical directory of State
institutions for the dependent, defective, and delinquent classes;
took a special census of the Virgin Islands; inaugurated the pub
lication of weekly mortality reports for certain large cities; per
formed much war work for other governmental establishments;
carried on preparations for the Fourteenth (1920) Decennial Cen
sus; and complied with numerous requests for information.
The work done during the fiscal year and since its dose along
the above lines is described below.
CURRENT AND COMPLETED WORK ON STATUTORY INQUIRIES.
Census of Manufactures.
The reports of the last quinquennial census of manufactures,
taken as of December 31, 1914, were finished early in the fiscal
year, except some detail work in verifying proof.
Many of the bulletins which present the final reports of this
census of manufactures were sent to the p: inter ear lier than her etofore.
Census of Transportation by Water.
The field work on this decennial inquiry, which was made as
of December 31, 1916, began in March, 1917, and was completed
88
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
89
in October of that year. Through cooperation with other serv
ices the wo:k went faster than hitheito and cost less. Much of
the data was collected by mail, and in some cases by telegraph.
About half the owners or operators of craft covered by the census
were canvassed in this manner before the field fo: ce went out.
This census covered also the operations of fishing vessels; the last
one did not.
A preliminary report, comprising two tables with descriptive
text, was prepared late in January, 1918, and released for the
p;ess February 6. The tables and text for the final report are
completed and will be sent to the printer soon.
Census of Shipbuilding.
This census was taken in conjunction with the water-transpor
tation inquiry and for the same date (Dec. 31, 1916). A large
part of the repo ts was obtained by mail, thus reducing the cost.
Statistics for the shipbuilding industry for the year 1914, secured
at the last census of manufactures, are included in the report.
For military : easons this report has not yet been published, but
the statistics compiled have enabled the Census Bureau to fur
nish valuable information of a confidential nature to various war
boards.
Census of Electrical Industries.
This quinquennial inquiry, covering central electric light and
power stations, street and electric railways, telephones and tele
graphs, and municipal electric fire-alarm and police-patrol signal
ing systems, is proceeding as of December 31, 1917. The data
have been collected so far as possible through correspondence.
The field canvass by employees detailed from the office began
April 9, 1918, in Omaha, Nebr., and was substantially completed
in October, 1918. Compilation of the reports is under way.
Vital Statistics.
The “ death-registration area,” comprising those States and
cities having adequate death-registration systems, has grown until
it now embraces 29 States, the Territory of Hawaii, the District
of Columbia, and 34 cities in nonregistration States, and contains
approximately 76 per cent of the country’s population.
The annual mortality report for the calendar year 1916 was
completed and the proof returned to the printer during the fiscal
year 1918. In order that the more important mortality statistics
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
for 1917 may be in the hands of the public at the earliest possible
date, a bulletin presenting, with little text discussion, certain basic
tables to be later included in the final report will be sent to the
printer by the close of 1918.
The “ birth-registration area” has grown rapidly during recent
years; it.now embraces 20 States and the District of Columbia,
with a population representing about 53 per cent of the aggregate
for the United States.
On October 6, 1917, the Census Service began publishing a
“ Weekly Health Index,” giving mortality reports from about 50
of our largest cities.
Financial Statistics of Cities.
The report presenting financial statistics of cities with over 30,000
inhabitants, for the fiscal year 1917, was completed and sent to
printer in January, 1918, within less than seven months from the
close of the period covered. The report presents detailed statistics
of revenues, expenditures, value of municipal properties, munici
pal indebtedness, assessments, and taxation; and also gives certain
data relating to governmental organizations.
General Statistics of Cities.
For the fiscal year 1917 the Bureau published two reports called
“ Specified Sources of Municipal Revenue” and “ Statistics of Fire
Departments.” The first presents, for the 219 cities estimated to
have more than 30,000 inhabitants, data in regard to certain
methods of raising revenues, namely, deriving them from
business taxes collected without the issue of licenses, as on
gross earnings of insurance companies; from business taxes,
other than on the liquor traffic, collected through the issue of
licenses; from other license taxes; from special assessments for
public improvements, as street paving, sidewalks, and sewer con
struction; and from assessments for other purposes, as for street
cleaning and sprinkling.
This information was opportunely made available when cities
were readjusting their revenue systems so as to distribute tax
ation more equitably in regard to their own needs and the war
requirements of the National Government.
The report giving statistics of fire departments of cities esti
mated to have more than 30,000 inhabitants was sent to the
printer in January, 1918.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
91
A report on municipal markets, covering the fiscal year 1918,
is now being prepared. This will show the extent of municipal
activity in providing market facilities and the use made of these
facilities. The field work will be completed in December, 1918,
and copy will be sent the printer early in 1919.
Financial Statistics of States.
The report presenting financial statistics for the 48 States of the
Union, covering the fiscal year 1917, was completed in April, 1918.
This report is similar in scope to the municipal finance reports,
the general classifications being the same; but data in regard to
functions exercised by State governments not generally exercised
by municipal governments are also given.
The report for 1918 will be completed early in 1919.
Cotton and Cotton Seed.
During the fiscal year the Census Service conducted its regular
inquiries in regard to cotton and cotton seed. There were issued
10 reports relating to cotton ginned to specified dates during the
ginning season; 12, published monthly during the year, relating
to cotton consumed, imported, exported, and on hand and to active
consuming cotton spindles; 12, published monthly during the
year, relating to cotton seed received, crushed, and on hand and
cottonseed products manufactured, shipped out, and on hand; an
annual bulletin on cotton production and distribution for the season
of 19x6-17; and an annual pamphlet giving complete statistics
of cotton ginned from the crop of 1917. This pamphlet was dis
tributed in time to be of use in making comparisons between the
crop of 1918 and earlier ones.
Stocks of Leaf Tobacco.
Four reports on leaf tobacco held by certain classes of manu
facturers and dealers were published.
Bulletin 136, entitled “ Statistics of Leaf Tobacco,” which
presents, in comparable forixr, the data collected at the several
tobacco inquiries made since the inauguration of the work in
October, 1912, together with certain data compiled by other
governmental agencies, was distributed during the fiscal year.
This bulletin, the first of its kind, was designed to assemble the
statistics for the various phases of the tobacco industry published
by several governmental bureaus and to present them in form for
ready reference.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Work Pertaining to Special Classes of the Population.
The report on deaf-mutes was completed during the fiscal year,
and has been published. This report was submitted in proof to
various specialists in the subject and received high commendation
from them.
The preparation of the report on Negroes was also completed,
and the report published. This report is a compilation in one
volume of all the census statistics pertaining to the Negro race
which have been collected from 1790 to the present time.
The report on prisoners and juvenile delinquents was also com
pleted and published.
Religious Bodies.
The collection of the data at the last decennial religious-bodies
inquiry, which was made as of December 31, 1916, was completed
in July, 1918. The work was done almost entirely through cor
respondence. Tabulation of the data has been in progress for
some time. A preliminary announcement was issued on May 2,
1918.
This work has been delayed by the pressure of war work.
Official Register.
The Jvdy 1, 1917, edition of the Official Register of the United
States, which consists mainly of a directory of Federal employees,
showing name, designation, compensation, branch of service in
which employed, etc., was prepared during the first half of the
fiscal year.
WAR WORK.
Work Done by the Bureau for Other Governmental Establishments.
During the fiscal year the Bureau of the Census performed a
large volume of war work for the War Department and other
Federal departments and establishments. A few of the more
important instances of this cooperation are given below.
Census of materials and commodities for use of war agencies.—
In February, 1918, at the suggestion of the Director of the Census,
I offered to utilize, in aid of the statistical work of the various
war agencies, the services of as many as 100 experienced Census
employees for six months. This offer was accepted by a number
of the war agencies— the War Trade Board, the War Industries
Board, the United States Shipping Board, the United States Food
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
93
Administration, the Council of National Defense, and the Com
mercial Economy Board— and on April 8 the work was given
specific authorization and approval by you.
The war agencies wished statistics compiled showing the con
sumption and stocks on hand of certain raw materials used in
war industries; also the production and stocks on hand of certain
commodities made therefrom. This information was most ur
gently needed for iron and steel; wool machinery and woolen manu
factures; kapok fiber, jute, and silk; leather stocks; boots, shoes,
and manufactured leather goods; antimony; an 1 graphite crucibles.
Questionnaires or schedules were prepared and mailed as rapidly
as possible; reports— monthly in some cases— on all the materials
and commodities named have been prepared and transmitted
to the war agencies; and work is in progress on other materials and
commodities for which statistics have been requested.
In preparing this inquiry a survey of the existing sources of
statistics of supply, production, and consumption of materials and
commodities was made to ascertain what data were being collected
by other governmental agencies, the purpose being to prevent
duplication of statistical work. Some duplication was discovered
and eliminated. This survey will continue with a broader scope
during the war by the Statistical Clearing House, organized in
connection with the War Industries Board.
It is my opinion that the usef ulness of the Bureau of the Census
would be materially enhanced if the scope of its work were extended
by law so as to make the Bureau the clearing house for all the sta
tistical information issued by the executive branch of the Federal
Government. This could be done by having the executive depart
ments and independent Government establishments submit
reports monthly or quarterly to the Bureau of the Census describ
ing all statistical data compiled or published during such period.
This would enable the Bureau to detect any duplication or over
lapping existing in the statistical work of the Government and
recommend its elimination. It would make Federal statistics
more easily available to the public and to persons engaged in
research work and would bring about material economy.
Census of commercial greenhouses.— For the use of the priorities
division of the War Industries Board the Bureau gathered data
pertaining to commercial greenhouses, covering for the year ending
June 30, 1918, area; value of products; fuel, fertilizers, insecti
cides, and fungicides used; and number of males 18 years of age
and over continuously employed.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Censuses of nitric acid and of acids and materials used in the
manufacture of explosives.— In September, 1917, at the request of
the Committee on Chemicals of the Council of National Defense,
the Acting Secretary of Commerce authorized the Director of the
Census to take a census of the production and capacity of plants
engaged in the manufacture of nitric acid; also a census of pro
duction and capacity of establishments manufacturing sulphuric
acid and materials used in making acids and explosives, and the
distribution of these commodities, which include cannon powder,
mobile artillery powder, small-arms powder, trinitrotoluol, picric
acid, ammonium nitrate, and military guncotton. The necessary
blanks, together with the lists of manufacturers to whom they
were to be sent, w'ere prepared in collaboration w'ith the Committee
on Chemicals. The blanks were mailed and the reports received,
checked, and acknowdedged by the Bureau of the Census, which
then transmitted them to the Committee on Chemicals for tabula
tion. The portion of the work assigned to the Bureau of the
Census wras completed in November, 1917.
Production of dental gold.— A t the request of the Federal Reserve
Board, I directed the Bureau of the Census to make a canvass of
the production of dental gold. The statistics derived were sub
mitted to the Federal Reserve Board.
Classification of occupations of registrants for Provost Marshal
General's Office, War Department.— This work was undertaken, at
the urgent request of the Provost Marshal General, on December 21,
1917, that a detachment of skilled workers from the Bureau of the
Census be sent to the War Department to train the clerks of that
department to prepare an industrial index of the registrants under
the selective-service act. The preparation of this index consisted
in the classification, according to occupational skill or experience
shown, of cards prepared by the local registration boards from
questionnaires filled by registrants. The Census scheme of classi
fication of occupations was used.
Preparatory work began in late December, but it was not until
the middle of February that the number of cards received at the
War Department became sufficiently large to make it feasible
to begin the actual classification. From that time until July 1,
1918, a period of four and one-half months, 30 experienced Census
employees were occupied, under the direction of our chief statistician
for population, in supervising and guiding the work of about 250
clerks employed by the War Department.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
95
The number of cards received to June 30, 1918, and classified
under the direction of the expert Census force was 8,147,034.
This work was in some respects complex and coulj not have
been successfully handled by inexperienced employees. The skill
and energy displayed by the Census force were greatly appreciated
by the Provost Marshal General, who, in a letter dated June 26,
1918, to the Director of the Census, paid a high tribute to the
value of the service rendered.
Estimates of registrants for Provost Marshal General.— In May,
1917, immediately following the passage of the selective-service
law, the Bureau of the Census published an estimate of the num
ber of men 21 to 30 years of age, both inclusive, in the United
States. This estimate showed a total of 10,077,700. The actual
number of registrants on June 5, 1917, was 9,691,344, which, plus
approximately 400,000, the number of men of those ages who
were already in the military and naval services, and therefore not
required to register, brought the total very close to the Bureau’s
estimate.
On June 12, 19x8, at the request of the Provost Marshal General,
the Bureau estimated a total of 1,011,589 men, for the United
States as a whole, who had become 21 years of age during the
12 months ended June 5, 1918. The actual number of registrants
on June 5, 1918, plus the number of enlistments of men 21 years
of age, amounted to 953,453; but the greater part of the difference
of 58,136 between this number and the Census Bureau’s estimate
is accounted for by a decrease of 45,098 in the number of aliens
subject to registration.
On July 30, 1918, at the request of the Provost Marshal General,
the Bureau estimated a total of 13,194,408 men in the United
States on July 1, 1918, of the ages from 18 to 20, inclusive, and
from 32 to 45, inclusive. Deducting from this number 400,000
already in service, approximately 12,800,000 were estimated to
be subject to registration. The actual registration on September
12 of 12,870,000 again confirmed the accuracy of the Bureau’s
estimates.
Determination of ages of registrants.— Much work was done
during the fiscal year in connection with the furnishing of tran
scripts of ages of persons who did not register under the selectiveservice law, but who were believed to be within the specified age
limits. These transcripts were supplied to the Department of
Justice, to local registration boards, and to the individuals con
cerned. The Bureau has been advised by county officials that as
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
soon as it became generally known that they had access to Census
information in regard to ages many men voluntarily registered.
The recent extension of the draft ages has caused a great increase
in this work.
Allocation of enlistments for the Office of the Provost Marshal
General.— The 117,974 men who enlisted in the Regular Army
from April 2 to June 30, 1917, inclusive, represented a portion of
the credits to be applied to the gross quotas of the States, the
counties, and the cities of 30,000 population an.l over in the
apportionment of the first draft. At the request of the Provost
Marshal General these enlistments were allocate 1 by the Bureau
of the Census. Enlistments in the Navy, the Naval Reserve, the
Naval Volunteers, and the Marine Corps from April 2, 1917, to
June 30, 1918, which numbered 293,788, were similarly allocated.
In a letter dated August 17, 1918, to the Director of the Census,
the Provost Marshal General' expressed his keen appreciation of
the thorough manner in which the work was done.
Work for the United States Fuel Administration.— For the Fuel
Administration the Bureau compiled data showing the kinds and
quantities,of coal consumed by establishments using 100 tons or
more per annum and whether such establishments generated
electricity for power.
Work for Railroad Wage Commission.— During the months of
February and March, 1918, the Census Bureau prepared a large
number of. tables for the Railroad Wage Commission for use in the
adjustment of the wages of railroad employees by the Federal
Railroad Administration.
Miscellaneous war work.— In addition to the above, the Census
Bureau has performed war work for the American National Red
Cross; the Treasury Department; the Department of Justice;
the Council of National Defense; the Housing Committee; the
United States Shipping Board; the Emergency Fleet Corporation;
the Medical Corps, War Department; the Federal Trade Com
mission; the Federal Reserve Board; the United States Geological
Survey; the Joint Information Board on Minerals and Derivatives;
the Tanners’ Council; the National Committee on Prisons and
Prison Labor (through the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic
Commerce); the Bureau of Education; the War Industries Board;
the United States Food Administration; the Board of Arbitra
tion, New York Harbor Wage Adjustment; and the Port Facili
ties Commission.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
97
Members of force enlisted and drafted into military and naval
services.— During the fiscal year 47 members of the Census force,
including 14 local cotton agents, entered the military and naval
services; and from the entrance of the United States into the war
until September 15, 1918, 64 members of the force, including 20
cotton agents, entered those services. No request was made to
obtain deferred classification because of their Census employment.
S P E C IA L A N D M IS C E L L A N E O U S L IN E S O F W O R K .
Marriage and Divorce.
Marriage and divorce statistics for the calendar year 1916 have
been collected and are being compiled.
The canvass has been conducted almost entirely by correspond
ence. Complete statistics as to divorce were secured at the State
capitals of Nebraska, New Jersey, and Wisconsin; and for the
remaining States and the District of Columbia the information was
obtained through the offices of the county and court clerks. In
the case of the marriage statistics the information for 27 States
was obtained from the State capitals or from printed reports; and
for the remaining States the data were obtained through the
county or court clerks or officials having custody of the marriage
records.
The tabulations had been in progress for some time prior to tire
termination of the canvass and were completed at about the same
time.
Census of the Virgin Islands.
At the request of the Secretary of the Navy, the Director of the
Census was instructed, on October 1, 1917, to take a census of the
Virgin Islands. This census covered population, agriculture,
manufactures, fisheries, and wages and hours of labor as of Novem
ber 1, 1917. The work was done under the supervision of the chief
statistician for manufactures, assisted by six employees of the
Department, but the actual enumeration was done chiefly by local
employees. This work began on December 24, 1917, and was
completed on January 12, 1918. The final proof of the report was
returned to the Government Printing Office, approved for printing,
on July 9, 1918, and printed copies were delivered to the Depart
ment August 25.
874S1—18---- 7
98
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
United States Life Tables.
In June, 1916, the Bureau of the Census compiled and published
a series of “ life tables” based on the population in 1910 and the
mortality in the three years 1909, 1910, and 1911 for certain
States and the District of Columbia. The preparation of a similar
series of tables exhibiting mortality conditions in 1890 and 1901
and during the decennium 1901 to 1910, inclusive, has been nearly
completed, and copy will be sent to the printer before the close
of 1918.
This work has been made subsidiary to the regular work of the
Bureau, and it has therefore not been possible to complete and
publish the results sooner. Their value, however, is permanent
and will not be impaired by the delay.
Statistical Directory of State Institutions.
During the fiscal year the Bureau completed the compilation of
a statistical directory of State institutions for the dependent,
defective, and delinquent classes. The classes of institutions
covered include State prisons and penitentiaries and State insti
tutions for the insane, feeble-minded, epileptic, tuberculous, blind,
deaf, and dependent.
Searching of Census Records to Determine Ages.
During the fiscal year 5,043 searches were made of Census records
to determine ages of pensioners.
Tabulation of Data for Disputed Areas of Europe and Africa.
In the latter part of the fiscal year the Bureau, upon my authori
zation, began the tabulation of data covering the disputed areas
of Europe and Africa; that is, those areas whose final disposition
will be determined by the outcome of the war. These data are
obtained from foreign census reports, statistical yearbooks, official
trade reports, and such other sources as are available.
P R E P A R A T IO N S F O R T H E F O U R T E E N T H C E N SU S.
Both my annual report for 1917 and that of the Director of
the Census set forth the urgent need of making adequate prepara
tions for the Fourteenth Census and outlined briefly the prepara
tory work which had already been done. A careful and detailed
study of the act providing for the Thirteenth and subsequent
decennial censuses was made, with a view to determining what
amendments or changes were needed to meet the conditions under
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
99
which the Fourteenth Census will be taken. After thorough con
sideration it was decided to recommend to Congress the enactment
of an entirely new act, differing from the Thirteenth Census act
in many details, but containing no radical changes. Such a bill
was drafted and submitted to the House Committee on the Census,
which held a series of hearings upon it from February 20 to
April 10, 1918. After the Director and other Census officials had
been heard, the Secretary of Agriculture, representatives of the
Bureau of Mines, the Geological Survey, the Food Administration,
and myself were called upon to express our views. On July 2,
1918, the bill passed the House with a few amendments of a
minor character and is now pending in the Senate.
I can not too strongly emphasize the importance of promptly
enacting this bill into law. If further action upon it is deferred
until the next session of Congress, there is a possibility that it
may not be passed at all by the present Congress on account of
lack of time. If this weie the case, the Census Bureau would
find itself at the beginning of the Fourteenth Census period
(July 1, 1919) without the full and definite knowledge of legal
authority and requirements under which to perform the great task
of inventorying the population and industries of the United States.
In certain vital respects the Bureau can not plan intelligently for
the coming census until it knows exactly what these legal require
ments are to be.
Such preparations for the coming census as are possible have
been continued, and everything that can be done under the present
conditions is being done.
M E C H A N IC A L E Q U IP M E N T .
Work in Mechanical Laboratory.
In addition to the maintenance of tabulating machinery for
current use in the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Immigration,
the Mechanical Laboratory was engaged in overhauling and con
structing machinery for the tabulation of the Fourteenth Census
reports. The new automatic tabulating machine, completed
toward the close of the fiscal year 1917, was given a practical test
in connection with the work of tabulating mortality data and was
found to be entirely satisfactory and a marked improvement over
the machine used at the Thirteenth Census.
The present plans call for the completion of all parts entering
into the construction of the Fourteenth Census tabulating equip
ment before the expiration of the present fiscal year.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Integrating Counter.
In a former report I referred to beginning work on the devel
opment of an “ integrating counter”— that is, a counter which
will record and add numbers, instead of mere units, thus per
forming automatically the work done by the operator of ah adding
machine— for use in tabulating certain classes of the census data,
such as those pertaining to agriculture and manufactures. This
work was begun on July 6, 1917, and has shown satisfactory prog
ress to date. The idea of the first model integrating counter has
been developed and all drawings made, the patent situation has
been carefully studied, and patterns, castings, and practically
all parts are ready for assembling. The most difficult features of
the work have been completed, and the preliminary tests show
satisfactory results.
O F F IC E F O R C E .
The appropriation act for the current fiscal year provided for
609 permanent officials and employees of the Census Bureau,
representing an increase of 46 over last year. At the same time
the numbers of positions in the various salary classes have been
readjusted so as to provide a somewhat better average salary scale
than heretofore. This readjustment will, it is hoped, diminish the
tendency of the census force to seek employment elsewhere,
although the salary scale is still unduly low as compared with
those existing in other branches of the Government.
'I'he greatest difficulty which the Bureau now experiences is in
inducing eligibles on the civil service registers to accept employ
ment at the entrance salary of $900. During the 14 months’
period from July 1, 1917, to August 31, 1918, inclusive, offers of
appointment were tendered to 569 eligibles on the registers of the
Civil Service Commission. Of these eligibles 299 declined,
79 failed to reply, and 191 accepted appointment.
O F F IC E R O O M A N D S T O R A G E S P A C E .
The beginning of the Fourteenth Census period (July 1, 1919) is
now less than a year distant, and the matter of providing adequate
office accommodations during that period, as well as proper
storage space for its permanent records, is one of importance and
urgency.
During the Thirteenth Census period (1909-1912) the total
floor space occupied was approximately 200,000 square feet;
with this as a basis, and taking into account the growth and
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
IOI
change in the country’s population and industries in 10 years,
it is estimated that during the next decennial census period the
Bureau will need about 275,000 square feet of space, including
storage. Since the total floor space occvipied in the Commerce
Building on June 30, 1918, amounted to only 78,386 square feet,
of which about 8,000 square feet is storage space, and as there is
no more available room in the Commerce Building, the necessity
of finding other quarters for the greatly increased census force
(between six and seven times the Bureau’s present force) during
the Fourteenth Census period is apparent. If the war shall have
ended before it is necessary to expand the Bureau’s force for the
decennial census, it may be possible to accommodate the extra
force in some of the temporary buildings erected for the use of
the military departments and for the various special war agencies.
In order that preparations may be made for sending out the
enormous quantities of schedules and other supplies to the super
visors in charge of the field work a reasonable time in advance of
January 1, 1920, the date as of which it is proposed to make the
enumeration, it will be necessary for part of the enlarged census
force to begin work several months in advance of that time—
perhaps in September or October, 1919.
BUREAU OF FISHERIES.
( D r . H u g h M. S m i t h , C o m m i s s i o n e r .)
This service has continued its efforts to meet the peculiar con
ditions and obligations imposed by war. Its operations, while
thus in a measure restricted, have in other essential respects
assumed a scope and importance never before attained.
The steamers Albatross, Fish Hawk, Halcyon, and Phalarope,
of the Fisheries Service, have been during the war under the
direct control of the Navy and in active use. The Halcyon was
new and the Fish Hawk had received extensive repairs, including
new engines, when turned over to the Naval Service. The entire
plant at the marine biological station at Beaufort, N. C., has
been taken over by the Navy Department, and the buildings of
the marine hatchery and biological station at Woods Hole, Mass.,
have'been largely and continuously utilized as headquarters of a
naval reserve force and by the American Red Cross and the
Y. M. C. A.
Propagation of Food Fishes.
No new fish hatcheries were constructed during the fiscal year.
The regular hatcheries operated numbered 40, together with 36
auxiliaries and 66 egg-collecting stations. The stations at Havre
de Grace, Md., and San Marcos, Tex., remained closed during the
year for reasons fully set forth on pages 159-163 of my last annual
report. The Texas Legislature, however, at its last session
enacted a law that complies with the stipulations imposed by
Congress, and we were glad to reopen the San Marcos hatchery on
July 1, 1918.
The aggregate output of the fish hatcheries was somewhat in
excess of 4,000,000,000, as against a little over 5,150,000,000 in
1917. The decrease, which was largely in pike perch, cod, and
pollock, was principally due to unfavorable weather conditions
during the egg-collecting seasons. Noteworthy advances were
made in the hatching and planting of the Pacific salmons, ■ whitefish, and winter flounder. About 90 per cent of the work of the
hatcheries is devoted to the maintenance of species that support
commercial fisheries.
102
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
IO3
An important feature of the fish-cultural operations is the in
creasingly large percentage of fish reared to fingerling or yearling
age before being planted. In the fiscal year 1917 the number of
such fish was about 82,115,000, while in 1918 the number rose to
168,965,000, an increase of more than 100 per cent. Especially
significant is the outcome of the policy of rearing the Pacific
salmons to the fingerling and the yearling stages. The Bureau
is striving to plant the entire output of the Pacific salmon hatch
eries at such an advanced age that the losses to which the young
are liable may be minimized. The hatcheries are being adapted
to this end, and the problem of providing sufficient and proper
food at minimum cost is gradually being solved for the different
communities and species. Genuine progress in this vitally
important field and practice of fish culture is being made; and
although the superior results are achieved at increased expense,
it has not yet been necessary to appeal to Congress for a special
appropriation.
In the distribution of the output of the hatcheries, the Bureau’s
special cars traveled 102,330 miles, of which 10,024 miles were
free transportation granted by the railroads. Messengers with,
detached shipments of fish traveled 468,244 miles, of which 54,578'
miles were free. Plantings were made in every State and Terri
tory, and the cars were hauled on 47 railroads and the messenger
shipments on 190 railroads. The readjustment of rates charged
for the distribution of fish is now under consideration by the
United States Railroad Administration, and a material advance
in cost may be necessary that this service may be rendered with
out actual loss to the railroads.
Record Work in Rescuing Stranded Food Fishes.
The systematic work done each season in salvaging food fishes
left stranded when the flood waters of the Mississippi River and
its tributaries subside has attained during the fiscal year large
proportions, completely eclipsing the best former records. Spe
cially equipped seining parties have operated from Minnesota to
Mississippi, and a field station established at Cairo, 111., covers both
the Illinois and Kentucky sides of the Ohio River, and has been
productive. The number of food fishes rescued from landlocked
ponds, sloughs, and pools between July 1 and October 21, 1918,
in each of the fields of operation was as follows:
H o m e r f ie ld .................................................................................................................................24, 583, 045
L a C rosse f i e l d ..........................................................................................................................
N o rth M cG re g o r f i e l d ............................................................................................................
5>3 9 2 <* 4°
4,848, 575
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
104
B e lle v u e f ie ld ...........................................................................................................................
M e re d o sia f i e l d .........................................................................................................................
8, 75 1, 655
1 ,2 1 8 ,4 1 5
C a ir o f i e l d ....................................................................................................................................
1 ,5 7 1 ,1 0 0
F r ia r P o in t f i e l d ......................................................................................................................
2 5 3 ,18 0
T o ta l
46, 618, 810
As all of these fish would have perished by the drying or freezing
of the temporary waters in which they had been caught, the impor
tance of this rescue work is evident. The cash value of the fish
saved, at the rates charged by commercial hatcheries, exceeds the total
appropriation of the Bureau for the fish-cultural service.
Increasing the Consumption of Fish.
The Bureau has been more active and successful than in any
previous year in bringing to the attention of the consuming public
the merits and availability of fish as food and in indicating sources
of supply for the demand thus created.
The work has assumed different aspects in particular localities,
but its general purpose has been to induce the American public to
rely on fish as a staple food, to overcome unsound prejudice, and
to avoid waste in the utilization of aquatic creatures. Because of
the economic situation caused by war, these activities have a
more direct appeal than ever before.
Aid in developing markets for wholly or partly neglected aquatic
food products has been given in the case of the sea herring of
Alaska, gizzard shad, river herrings, menhaden, bowfin, burbot,
carp, eulachon, grayfishes, sharks, skates, rays, jewfish, drum,
redfish, robalo, rockfishes, sablefish, sea catfishes, sea robins,
crevalles, and tarpon; such mammals as whales, porpoises, and
dolphins; and such by-products as roe and milt of various fishes.
In order to do this, it has been necessary to conduct a systematic
advertising and educational campaign in the various communities,
employing for this purpose persons experienced in the fish trade
and in the preparation of foods for the table. One branch of this
campaign has been practical field wrork in the Middle West having
for its object the establishment of a regular market for common
fishes from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, which can be supplied
in abundance when the interior markets contain little or no fresh
fish at a reasonable price. In cooperation with the Department
of Agriculture and the Food Administration, the Bureau has insti
tuted in various cities not heretofore supplied a trade in carload
lots of cheap, wholesome fishes taken on the west coast of Florida.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
105
The food value of the menhaden has been brought to public
attention. This fish, one of the most abundant on the Atlanticseaboard, is caught chiefly for conversion into oil and fertilizer,
although the experiments of the Bureau show that it is a whole
some food in a fresh, salted, smoked, or canned condition. Inas
much as more than 1,000,000,000 menhaden have been caught by
our fishermen in a single year (about 600,000,000 pounds), the
possibilities of this fish as food are evident. Larger quantities of
menhaden are now being offered for sale in the eastern markets,
and there is reason to believe that the consumption will increase
to a point that wall make the menhaden in reality, what it is in
potentiality, one of the most important of American food fishes.
In connection with the “ eat more fish” campaign, the Bureau
has, by means of demonstrations, exhibits, correspondence, and
printed matter, advocated and encouraged the home canning of
fish by simple processes within the resources of every housewife
and the use of pressure cookers for softening the bones of fishes.
Fish bones contain an essential food constituent, lime salts, which
can not be so conveniently or economically obtained otherwise.
It is therefore important to utilize this and the other valuable
salts occurring in fish bones.
Development of Aquatic Sources of Leather.
Throughout the year the Bureau has continued its effective
cooperation with tanners, fishermen, and others interested in the
development of new sources of leather from the skins of aquatic
animals. Among the advances to be noted are the designing of
special types of nets adapted for catching sharks; the devising of
means for quickly removing skins from sharks and similar fishes
with reference to the needs of the tanner; progress in methods
suitable for tanning the skins of smaller fishes on a commercial
scale; arrangements by tanners to engage in the fish-leather
industry and establishment of connections with fishing centers
to secure supplies of raw materials; establishment of small plants
at various coastal points where sharks will be caught, their hides
tanned, their flesh prepared for food, their oil extracted for
industrial purposes, and their refuse converted into fertilizer;
experiments with leathers made from fishskins to determine their
special fitness for shoes and other purposes; and expediting of
shipments of raw skins from producers to tanners. Through
cooperation with the Bureau of Standards, the services of a
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
technically trained tanner were secured for experimental work
at a large tannery; the expert, however, in a short time entered the
military service, and the results secured were due largely to the
interest of the tanning company. The largest and most available
source of fishskins is the shark family. The experiments showed
that shark leathers may be very satisfactorily used for shoes, lin
ings, etc., and as cordovan. The average tensile strength of two
skins submitted to the Bureau was 3,905 and 4,742 pounds per
square inch.
The outlook for this new branch of industry is promising.
Shortage of labor, transportation difficulties, and other drawbacks
have retarded progress; but the creation of special fisheries for fish
hides and the definite movement of raw materials in noteworthy
quantities from fishermen to tanneries at prices mutually satis
factory indicate that the business has become well established.
A Fishery-Products Laboratory.
For years the Bureau has suffered for lack of facilities for
practical demonstrations and experimentation in the methods
of preparing and preserving fishery products. The fishery
industries, particularly those concerned in canning and otherwise
preserving food products, labor under the serious drawback of
ignorance of the scientific principles underlying their operations.
There is also an underconsumption of fish, due in part to the
inferior quality of much that is placed on the market and in part
to the ignorance of the consumer regarding the dietetic qualities
and peculiarities of the several species, with consequent improper
preparation for the table. As a result there is an annual loss of
hundreds of millions of pounds of valuable fish food. With
adequate equipment and personnel provided, the Bureau has
held that it could render effective aid in developing methods for
overcoming such difficulties, and that important results could be
achieved in some fields within a short time.
You have approved and authorized an allotment of $125,000
from the fund for national security and defense for a laboratory
and its equipment for the conduct of work of this character and
for a temporary" personnel. This is being pushed vigorously, and
investigations have begun which will yield important results in
making available larger quantities of fish for food and in educating
the public to the merits of the various fishery products.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
107
Administration of Alaskan Fisheries.
The fisheries of Alaska have been administered in pursuance of
the authority and facilities granted by Congress. The laws and
regulations for the protection and conservation of the fisheries
have been enforced by a corps of agents and wardens; private
salmon hatcheries have been inspected; streams have been opened
or improved for the passage of salmon by the removal of obstruc
tions; a census of red salmon entering Wood River, a stream
closed to commercial fishing, has been taken as heretofore; follow
ing public hearings, orders have been promulgated suspending or
restricting fishing in salmon streams where circumstances de
manded such action; salmon-cultural operations have been con
ducted on a large scale; special investigations of salmon and
salmon streams have been instituted; the further development of
the fishing industry has been aided by demonstrations and experi
ments looking to the fuller utilization of the water resources of
the Territory, particularly those that have been partly or wholly
neglected; and detailed statistics of the industry have been col
lected and compiled.
The fisheries of Alaska in 1917 attained a higher development
and yielded larger returns than in any previous year. The number
of persons engaged in all branches of the industry was 29,491, an
increase of 5,497 over 1916; the capital invested was $54,937,549,
an increase of $15,367,937; and the value of the products as placed
on the market was $51,466,980, an increase of $25,310,421. The
greatly augmented value of the fisheries was due partly to an
increased output and partly to a marked advance in the price of
canned salmon, ranging from 56 per cent for red salmon to 94 per
cent for king salmon.
The salmon industry surpassed all previous records in both size
and value of the pack. The canned output reached the astonish
ing total of 5,947,286 cases of 48 one-pound cans, and had a
market value of $46,304,000, about two-fifths the quantity and
one-half the value representing red salmon.
In view of obsolete and inadequate features of the present
fishery laws, it is earnestly hoped that the comprehensive bill
favorably reported by the House Committee on the Merchant
Marine and Fisheries may soon be enacted into law.
Alaska Fur-Seal Industry.
Under the provisions of the act of Congress approved August 24,
1912, giving effect to the North Pacific Sealing Convention of
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
July 7, 1911, the five-year close time on land killing expired on
August 24, 1917; and the taking of fur seals for commercial pur
poses, as distinguished from the inconsiderable requirements of
the natives of the Pribilof Islands, then became lawful. Inasmuch
as the regular sealing season properly closes about August 10,
owing to the supervention of the so-called “ stagy” condition of
the fur, only a small number of skins was taken in the calendar
year 1917. For 1918 the number of seals that might be secured
was tentatively fixed at 25,000, which limit was increased to
35,000, after the season had begun, on the recommendation of the
responsible representatives of the Department on the islands.
Up to August 10 the number of skins taken was 33,881, of which
26,881 were from St. Paul Island and 7,000 from St. George
Island. The skins were mostly from seals 3, 4, and 5 years of age.
The requirement of law that in 1918 there should be set aside for
breeding purposes 5,000 male seals 3 years of age was met by
reserving more than 9,000 seals of that age.
On account of greatly increased sealing operations in 1918, it
was considered necessary to provide additional assistance for
taking, handling, and curing the skins. Eleven natives were
hired for the purpose at Unalaska and five experienced men were
sent from I'unsten Bros. & Co., of St. Louis, the contractors for
dressing the skins. The handling of the augmented business inci
dent to the taking and preparing of the island products has been
much facilitated by the introduction (in the spring of 1918) of
three motor trucks, used in road building, in making the remoter
hauling grounds more accessible, in hauling -wood and supplies,
and in other ways for the benefit of the natives and the expedi
tion of Government business.
Still further assistance to the proper administration of the
Pribilof Islands affairs was afforded by Congress in appropriating
$20,000 for a wooden power lighter for use in handling products of
and supplies for the islands and in making trips between the
islands and to Unalaska.
Census of Alaska Seal Herd.
The 1917 census of seals at the Pribilof Islands gave, as the total
strength of the herd on August 10, 1917, 468,692 animals of all
ages. The census of 1918, taken under the same auspices and in
the same manner, showed an approximate number of 496,611 seals
of all ages on August 10, 1918, in addition to the 33,881 taken for
commercial purposes during the year. The different elements of
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
109
the herd in 1918, as enumerated and computed by G. Dallas
Hanna, the agent of the Department who has supervised the
census for a number of years, were as follows: Breeding cows,
143,005; new-born pups, 143,005; yearlings, 83,203; 2-year-olds,
60,564; 3-year-old males, 9,117; harem bulls, 5,344; males 4, 5,
and 6 years old, 32,810; idle and surplus bulls, 19,553; average
harem, 26.76.
Revenue from Pribilof Islands Products.
During the fiscal year 1918 there were two sales of sealskins,
one of fox skins, and two sales of seal bones from the Pribilof
Islands.
The sealskins numbered 9,339 and were dyed, dressed, and
machined before being sold at public auction in St. Louis. The
gross proceeds were $379,392; the expenses, including cost of
preparation of skins, discount for cash, agents’ commission, trans
portation, etc., aggregated $115,357,29; net proceeds, $264,034.71.
The fox skins sold at public auction in St. Louis numbered 567
blue and 39 white pelts. The gross receipts were $35,680.50,
the expenses $4,909.20, the net proceeds $30,771.30.
Old seal bones, aggregating about 200,000 pounds, collected by
the natives during the year, ground, bagged, and delivered at
Seattle, were there sold for $2,742.70, from which sum there was
deducted $1,319.86, payments made to the natives and a few
minor expenses, making the net proceeds $1,422.84. Further
lots of bones were collected but not sold during the year.
All of the above products were transported on the steamer
Roosevelt. The net proceeds, amounting to $296,228.85, were
covered into the United States Treasury.
The arrangements made with Messrs. Funsten Bros. & Co., of
St. Louis, for the handling of seal and fox skins have continued to
be advantageous to the Government and to the American fur
trade. Special importance is attached to the dressing and dyeing
of fur sealskins before they are sold, as they thus become imme
diately available to a much larger number of furriers.
With the publication of Messrs. Funsten Bros. & Co.’s catalogue
announcing the sale of Government sealskins on April 22, 1918,
there was formally adopted a new classification of such skins.
The terms theretofore employed in the trade represented the for
tuitous outgrowth of about a hundred years, and were misleading.
The new terms avoid the faults of the old usage and have been
adopted in conformity with the general practice of the fur trade;
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
they are applied arbitrarily with reference to certain specified
size limits of skins.
A By-Products Plant for Pribilof Islands.
Since the beginning of the sealing industry on the Pribilof
Islands, most of the carcasses have been wasted— thrown away.
Small quantities of meat and fat have been consumed by the
natives, but no use was made of the great bulk of the material,
which, with the resumption of commercial killing, has value not to
be neglected. The natives will continue to use small quantities
of seal meat, and the fox herds will consume a certain amount,
but there will remain a large quantity of material that should be
converted into fertilizer and oil, for which there is an active
demand.
On my recommendation, you made, on April 9, 1918, an allot
ment of $25,000 from the fund for the national security and
defense to enable the Bureau of Fisheries to erect on the Pribilof
Islands a plant for utilizing the waste products of the sealing
industry. The plant has been delivered at St. Paul Island, and
construction and installation have proceeded so well that actual
operations will begin during the autumn of 1918. It is expected
that, with the demand for and prices of oil and fertilizer, this
plant will more than pay for itself in the first year.
Minor Alaskan Fur-Bearing Animals.
The laws and regulations for the protection of the minor fur
bearing animals of Alaska have been enforced by a force of regular
wardens, supplemented by special wardens employed by a recip
rocal arrangement with the governor of Alaska.
The only change made in the regulations during the year was
the extension of the close season on beaver until November 1, 1923.
This action was taken on the recommendation of the local wardens,
the governor of Alaska, and others. The beaver has increased in
numbers as a result of the protection afforded by the Department,
but the increase has been local rather than general; and the con
sensus of opinion among those having the best knowledge of the
subject and the best interests of the Territory at heart was that
it would be highly desirable to give this important fur bearer
further protection for a period of five years.
Statistics of the furs from Alaska have been compiled as here
tofore, through the cooperation of postmasters, customs collectors,
shippers, and others. The figures for the year ending November
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
11 r
15, 1917, show a value of $1,028,719, exclusive of the furs from
the Pribilof Islands, and give an idea of the importance of the
trapping industry. The leading fur bearers are blue, cross, red,
silver-gray, and white foxes, lynx, mink, muskrat, and otter, the
red fox and the lynx greatly predominating.
Personnel.
A serious curtailment of the Bureau’s operations, particularly in
its fish-cultural branch, arises from the extremely small compen
sation allowed by Congress for the lower grades. The matter has
long been embarrassing; it has in the past few years become acute
because of general industrial conditions. Now the Bureau finds
it more and more difficult to obtain persons to fill statutory posi
tions, or, having once secured them, to retain them. In conse
quence many of the lower positions at fish hatcheries have been
vacant much of the time.
A step looking to correct this situation is the inclusion in the
estimates of appropriations for 1920 of a provision for a readjust
ment of the salaries in the fish-cultural service.
BUREAU OF LIGHTHOUSES.
( G e o r g e R . P u t n a m , C o m m is s io n e r .)
This Service maintains aids to navigation on all coasts under the
jurisdiction of the United States (except the Philippine Islands
and Panama) and also on the principal lakes and rivers. It is
charged with the maintenance of aids to navigation along 47,300
statute miles of coast line and river channel.
On June 30, 1918, there were 5,899 persons emp^loyed in the
Lighthouse Service, including 120 technical force, 150 clerical
force, and 5,094 employees connected with depots, lighthouses,
and vessels.
During the fiscal year there was a net increase of 446 in the
total number of aids maintained, the total at the end of the year
being 15,673. Of these 5,545 are lights of all classes and 587 are
fog signals. The total number of aids in Alaska, comprising
lights, fog signals, buoys, and daymarks in commission at the
close of the fiscal year, was 439, including 168 lighted aids. Special
attention has been given to Alaska ; 11 new lights were estab
lished there; 3 lights were changed from fixed to flashing; 1 gas
and bell buoy, 13 unlighted buoys, and 5 beacons were established.
It is expected that 16 other lights and 2 gas and bell buoys will be
established during this season (summer of 1918). Special appro
priations aggregating $290,000 will be asked of Congress to con
tinue the work of general increase of lights and buoys in Alaska, for
a light and fog signal at Cape Spencer, Cross Sound, and for
repairs and improvements at existing light stations.
The work in Alaska is of urgent importance. The coast line is
of vast extent and of a most dangerous character. The value of
one fine ship lost for lack of safeguards (and many are so lost)
would go far to make navigation in those waters secure. The
future of Alaska depends on the safety with which its waters can
be navigated.
Improvements in aids to navigation in the Service generally
have been made during the year as follows: Flashing or occulting
lights were installed in place of fixed lights at 13 stations; incan
descent oil-vapor lights were substituted for oil-wick lamps at 3
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
1 13
stations; acetylene or electric incandescent lights were substi
tuted for other lights at 41 stations, including 2 light vessels and
10 buoys.
A new light station was established at Navassa Island, West
Indies; the light went into commission October 21, 1917, and is
on the highest point of the island in the passage between Haiti
and Jamaica. It is a reinforced concrete tower, with the light 395
feet above the sea, showing a double white flash every 30 seconds,
47,000 candlepower, visible 27 miles, and is an important aid for
vessels bound to and from the Panama Canal; it is greatly appre
ciated by master mariners on that route.
The systematic methods of improvement and the use of modern
apparatus in increasing the number and brilliancy of aids have
been of great value to the safety of commerce.
In accordance with the established custom of the Sendee effort
has been continued to consult the needs of maritime interests and
to cooperate effectively with other branches of the Government
in related work. The most important work of cooperation has
been that with the War and Navy Departments in accordance
with law and Executive order. The Naval Appropriation act of
August 29, 1916, authorized the President, whenever in his judg
ment a sufficient national emergency exists, to transfer to the
service and jurisdiction of the Navy Department, or of the War
Department, such vessels, equipment, stations, and personnel of
the Lighthouse Service as he may deem to the best interest of the
country; and also provided that the Secretary of the Navy, the
Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly
prescribe regulations governing the duties to be performed, etc.
These regulations were issued April 11,19x7. By executive orders
of the President 46 lighthouse tenders, 4 light vessels, and 21 light
stations have been transferred to the Navy Department, including
a total of 1,132 persons employed thereon. These vessels and
stations have since that time performed various duties under the
Navy.andhave also continued the maintenance of the aids to navi
gation and other work necessary for the Lighthouse Service.
In addition to the officers and employees directly transferred,
the superintendents of lighthouses and various other officers of the
several lighthouse districts (46 persons) have reported to the
Navy and Army authorities and have rendered service in coordi
nating the military and lighthouse duties of the transferred por
tions of the Lighthouse Service.
The duties performed by the transferred units directly for the
military and naval authorities are, of course, mattei's pertaining to
87481—18----- 8
I 14
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
those departments, but they consist principally of work on sub
marine nets and buoyage in connection therewith, patrol and
watch service, drill in mine laying, etc. Prior to the war, for a
number of years, a large proportion of the lighthouse tenders had
been equipped by the War Department with mine-laying equip
ment and had periodic drills in this work.
The regular work of the Lighthouse Service— the maintenance
of lighthouses, lightships, buoys, and beacons— is of extreme im
portance in war time to safeguard and expedite the movement of
both merchant ships and naval vessels. This work has been
increased rather than diminished by war-time demands and diffi
culties. The Lighthouse Service had prior to the war no surplus
of vessels, equipment, or personnel beyond that necessary for the
efficient maintenance of the existing establishment. The regula
tions under the law and Executive order providing for cooperation
with the War and Navy Departments, therefore, contemplated the
continuance of lighthouse work by the transferred units, and this
has been done. By strenuous work on the part of the whole
Service, and particularly the district and vessel officers, the vast
system of aids to navigation is being kept up in addition to the
extra duties assigned to vessels and men.
In addition to the work done by the tenders and other units
transferred to the direct jurisdiction of military and naval officers,
the Lighthouse Service cooperates in a number of other ways.
At the General Lighthouse Depot, Staten Island, N. Y., facilities
are provided for the establishment of a naval base, including large
dock frontage for berthing vessels and a large amount of building
space for barracks, storage, and offices; repairs are made at this
depot to naval and quartermaster vessels, and buoys and other
supplies are issued. Repairs are made and supplies furnished at
other depots also. Numerous buoys and other aids have been
placed, changed, or discontinued, to meet special needs, and
buoys and moorings have been purchased for the War and Navy
Departments. Keepers of important coast lighthouses and mas
ters of light vessels are instructed to keep a lookout for submarines
and other enemy activities, confidential publications from the
Navy Department have been furnished them, and reports are
promptly forwarded. There has been cooperation with the
Navy and Treasury Departments in the improvement of coast
communication facilities by telephone and radio, and a large
number of lighthouses, light vessels, and tenders have been pro
vided with such facilities, under various appropriations.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
115
The following additional work has been performed: Various
investigations have been made at the request of the Department
of Justice and the military and naval information services. Offi
cers of the Marine Engineering Division of the Lighthouse Service
have assisted the Shipping Board in various matters respecting
the design and sea trials of various types of vessels, including
concrete vessels. An officer of the Lighthouse Service is engaged
on the work of the chain section, War Industries Board, having
to do with the standardization and allocation of iron and steel
chain for the different activities of the Government. The Com
missioner of Lighthouses is serving as the representative of the
Department of Commerce on the New York Harbor Wage Adjust
ment Board. A scientific assistant in the Lighthouse Service
has assisted a naval technical board.
Up to October 1, 1918, a total of 147 persons from the Light
house Service, in addition to those transferred by Executive
order, had entered the Army or Navy, making with those trans
ferred a grand total of 1,279 employees who have entered the
military services, or 22 per cent of the normal force of the Light
house Service.
By a decision of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance the person
nel of the Lighthouse Service transferred to the service and juris
diction of the War and Navy Departments are within the terms of
the War Risk Insurance act of October 6, 1917.
During the fiscal year 51 tenders and 67 light vessels were in
commission. New vessels under construction are light vessels No,
99 and No. 103 for duty on the Great Lakes, and a working barge
for use on the Hudson River has been practically completed.
On March 3, 1918, the Thirty-Five Foot Channel Light Vessel
No. 45, Va., was damaged by fire at the works of the Colonna
Marine Railway Corporation, Norfolk, Va. The vessel was laid up
for repairs when fire broke out on the ferryboat Castleton, and
before the light vessel could get clear of the dock the ferryboat
had drifted out and penned her in.
The schedules of pay established from time to time by the
United States Shipping Board for officers and crews of vessels,
while they do not apply directly to vessels of the Lighthouse
Service, are considered standard wages in the localities in which
they have been placed in effect, and it has been necessary to
adjust the pay of complements of lighthouse vessels as far as
appropriations admit, both in justice to employees and in order
to keep up a proper efficiency. The wage scale for certain mem
I 16
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
bers of deck and engine departments, announced by the Shipping
Board on May 18, 1918, for vessels sailing from Atlantic and Gulf
ports of the United States is now being paid to crews of lighthouse
vessels, and licensed officers were granted increases to meet, as far
as possible, new rates authorized in the month of June, 1918, by
the Shipping Board for this class of persons. This action has
necessitated large increases in the estimates for salaries on vessels
of the Lighthouse Service, and estimate for additional increase
will be submitted in order to bring the pay of officers of the
vessels more nearly up to current rates of pay in the mercantile
marine.
Systematic inspections have been continued in the various
lighthouse districts of the technical work, business methods, and
property accounts. The standard method of costkeeping has
been continued, which is useful in preparing estimates, planning
work, effecting economies, and comparing relative efficiencies.
A number of important items of construction work were in
progress at the close of the year, including a new light and fog
signal at Chicago Outer Harbor, 111., Chester and Marcus Hook
Ranges, Delaware River, and a light and fog signal at Conneaut,
Ohio.
A temporary lighthouse depot is now rented at Ketchikan for
$3,900 per annum. It is too small for the work of the Service, is
constructed wholly of wood, and contains many inflammable
supplies, thus constituting a dangerous fire hazard. Practically
no machinery or power tools are available, and the greater part
of repair work must be performed at Seattle, 650 miles distant.
An appropriation of $90,000 for providing a new depot was made
by the act of July x, 1918, and work is now in progress on a reser
vation a short distance south of Ketchikan, made under Executive
order of April 20, 1912. The plans contemplate a well-constructed
wharf protected against the teredo, a fireproof storehouse, and
the necessary shops and outbuildings.
An allotment was made from the fund for the national security
and defense of the sum of $175,000 for alterations at the general
lighthouse depot at Tompkinsville, N. Y . The proposed changes
will permit more rapid and economical coaling of vessels and pro
vide more efficient repair facilities. Both will be available to
the naval flotilla, which makes its base at this point.
During the fiscal year 1918, services in saving life and property
were rendered and acts of heroism performed by employees of
the Lighthouse Service on 158 occasions.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
I 1~
A severe hurricane visited the Gulf coast on September 27 to 29,
1917, damaging lighthouse property severely from the Mississippi
River passes east to Pensacola Bay, and during the months of
January and February, 1918, the unusually cold winter, the most
severe of record since 1856, occasioned a large amount of ice
damage on the Atlantic coast as far south as the Cape Fear River,
S. C. Cross Rip Light Vessel No. 6, Mass., was lost in the ice,
with six men on board. On August 6, 1918, Light Vessel No. 71
was sunk on her station on Diamond Shoals by an enemy sub
marine; the crew took to their boats and reached shore without
injury.
The general lighthouse act approved June 20, 1918, contains
provisions of much importance to the Lighthouse Service, including
a retirement system for the field force, need for which has been
pointed out from the first annual report of the Commissioner of
Lighthouses in 1911 and emphasized in each succeeding report.
Other important features of this act included more equitable
compensation for the officers in charge of lighthouse districts,
whose designation was changed from “ lighthouse inspector” to
“ superintendent of lighthouses” and their salaries increased from
$2,400 to $3,000 per annum, except in the third district, where
the salary is $3,600 per annum; for the raising of the pay of
keepers of lighthouses and an increased ration allowance for
them. Provision for the payment of travel and subsistence
expenses of teachers instructing the children of lighthouse keepers
and arrangements for the sale of publications of the Lighthouse
Service were also included in this act, which authorizes a number
of valuable special works of construction. The act as a whole is
a great advance.
The appropriations for the maintenance of the Lighthouse
Service for the fiscal year 1919 are $6,150,430, being $811,750 in
excess of those for the preceding fiscal year. In addition there are
special appropriations aggregating $723,000 for various new works.
An urgent need of the Lighthouse Service is new vessels. There
are no surplus ships in the Service— no reserve vessels on which to
call. The seagoing tenders have all been under extra service since
the war began, adding important naval duty to their regular tasks.
It is necessary to add several ships a year to the fleet merely
to replace the wastage from work. This does not enlarge the
fleet nor make it adequate to the growing demands upon it.
Three lightships have been lost during the year— one by fire,
one by ice, one by the act of the enemy. The sum of $760,000
1X8
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
will be included in the estimates for new vessels. This is author
ized by the act approved June 20, 1918. It provides merely for
replacing vessels worn out in service in the third, fifth, and eighth
lighthouse districts. It will not enlarge the fleet. It is all
urgently required, and more will be necessary unless the impor
tant work of the Service is to fall behind.
The act of June 20 last also authorizes two matters of special
importance not only to the commerce of the country but to the
naval and military services. These are the enlarging and improving
the lighthouse depot at Portsmouth, Va. (adjoining the navy yard
there), or establishing a new depot there at a cost of $275,000,
and the improving the aids to navigation and installing new aids
in the Potomac River to cost $95,000. It is a constant waste of
money to continue the use of the old Portsmouth depot. The
vessels of the Service which use it as a basis are constantly delayed
and their cost of operation increased through the insufficient and
antiquated accommodation there afforded. The ships there must
lie several deep because the wharf there is too small to give them
individual dock space. Every day the old outfit is used involves a
waste of public money. This matter is treated at length on page
183 of my last report.
The Potomac River is the poorest equipped, from a lighthouse
standpoint, of our great eastern streams. The commerce on the
river is increasing, and great sums have been spent for military
and naval purposes at Quantico, at Camp Humphreys, and at
Indianhead, all of them involving an increase in navigation.
Naval vessels, sometimes with the nation’s guests, navigate the
river at night. Connecting, as it does, the nation’s capital with
one of our greatest harbors (Hampton Roads), it should be safe
guarded better.
It is earnestly hoped that funds for the above purposes may be
allowed at the next session of Congress, so that the work may be
promptly begun in the spring.
The past year has been an unusually eventful and active one for
the Service. The establishment of the retirement system for the
field force and the furnishing of more adequate compensation for
the light keepers and district officers mark a great step forward.
I am glad to acknowledge the wise liberality of Congress in this
respect.
To save space details are not given this year of the saving of life
and property by the vessels and employees of the Lighthouse
Service during the fiscal year. Many such cases have occurred,
and the records of them appear in the files of the persons concerned.
COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY.
( R . L . F a r i s , A c t i n g S u p e r in t e n d e n t .)
During the past year the activities of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey have been directly connected with the war. Its principal
finished product, navigational charts, has chiefly gone to Gov
ernment war services. Its field operations throughout have been
in response to specific calls from the military services for imme
diate surveys needed in the execution of their war programs. It
has furnished to the Navy 5 ships (3 on the Atlantic and 2 on the
Pacific). It has supplied the Navy with 42 commissioned officers,
xo other officers, and 79 men, a total of 131. It has supplied the
Army with 25 commissioned officers, 26 other officers, aixd 58 men,
a total of 109, making 240 men in the combined military services.
This is 30 per cent of its force.
The war functions carried on by the remaining force are thus
summarized:
Work for the Army through the Signal Corps and the Engineer
Corps, and for the Navy through the Bureau of Operations,
Bureau of Ordnance, Hydrographic Office, Bureau of Navigation,
and Board of Inspection and Survey. For the Army the work
was making control surveys, locating positions, and giving ele
vations in the States from Texas to Virginia, inclusive, as a basis
for topographic maps. This is the basic or control work. The
detail topographic work is being done by the Geological Survey.
The Survey also fixed the location of towers for ordnance-test
ground at Aberdeen, Md., and did other similar work.
For the Navy the work was in the form of wire-drag surveys
and special surveys. Among such are the wire-drag surveys in
Long Island Sound and in York River (Chesapeake Bay). A
topographic survey of the Virgin Islands is under way for the
Navy.
Special surveys included such work as the location of points
for naval fire-control experiments, the reestablishment of the speedtrial course at Lewes, Del., for torpedo-boat destroyers, the location
•of the Port Jefferson trial course in Long Island Sound, and the
Block Island (R. I.) trial course.
120
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
An important work was the preparation and production of
charts, coast pilots, and tide tables for all vessels, new and old,
of the merchant marine, including those operated by the United
States Shipping Board and by the United States Railroad Admin
istration. These charts and other publications are also supplied
to the Army for the vessels of the War Department and in the
coast fortifications; to the Navy for all vessels, both transports
and ships of war. This work included supplying charts to the
Navy officers generally, including vessels of Lighthouse Service
and the Coast Guard, both now under naval control, and the
supplying of special charts for the Signal Corps, the special board
of the Navy Department, and others. This work was continuous,
both in field and office, because of the constant corrections required
and because new charts are always in preparation.
A war function of the Coast and Geodetic Survey was the use
of its instrument shop for producing instruments at the request
of the Bureau of Standards for artillery and aviation work in
Europe, making original instruments for the National Advisory
Committee for Aeronautics, furnishing sextants and other instru
ments, and repairing sextants for the Bureau of Navigation,
Navy Department, through the Naval Observatory, etc.
Officers of this service are attached to the Naval Observatory
to inspect navigational instruments for the Navy and are sent
to factories manufacturing instruments to inspect them. A
Survey officer is in charge of the naval hydrographic office in
Norfolk, and others are detached for similar special duties, for
instructing in navigation, etc.
The surveys accomplished for the military services during the
year were necessarily limited to the remaining field officers and
vessel equipment available for the work. The Bureau was
unable to carry out all the work it was requested to do.
Field Work.
From the standpoint of units of classification, the field work
done by the Bureau during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918,
may be expressed as follows:
Hydrography.— (1) Ship and launch hydrography, (2) wire-drag
surveys, (3) revision work, (4) current observations, (5) tidal
observations, (6) topography.
Geodesy.— (1) Triangulation, (2) precise levels, (3) magnetic
observations.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
121
Hydrography.
i.
Ship and launch hydrography.— The vessels of the Bureau
in commission within the year were as follows: Surveyor, Bache,
Isis, Matchless, Hydrographer, Patterson, Explorer, Yukon, Taku,
Pathfinder, Fathomer, Marinduque, Research, and Romblon.
The Surveyor, Bache, and Isis were requisitioned by the Navy
Department as auxiliaries to the naval fleet and taken over by
Executive order on September 24, 1917. Since that time they
have been under the control of the Navy Department.
The Explorer was on field duty only during the first month of
the fiscal year, the Patterson from the beginning of the year to
the close of September 23, and the Taku less than a month. Dur
ing 1918 the Navy Department felt the need of additional vessels
to patrol the waters of the Pacific coast, and on May 16, 1918,
the Patterson and the Explorer were transferred to the naval fleet
by Executive order. The surveying seasons of the Explorer
and Taku were necessarily prematurely closed because of the lack
of crews, and the Patterson, Explorer, and Taku were not sent
to the field in the spring of 1918 because of the lack of officers
and difficulty of enlisting crews owing to labor conditions.
The Taku has been condemned and sold because it was worn
out. The Patterson is old and weak, the Explorer structurally
weak. Neither vessel is safe to send to the open sea again. In
my last report, on page 214, the facts concerning these vessels are
stated.
Of the five vessels that have been used by this Bureau in sur
veying the waters of the Philippine Islands, four belong to the
insular government— namely, the Fathomer, Marinduque, Re
search, and Romblon. The officers of these were of the technical
force of this Bureau. When the need for men with the technical
qualifications of these officers in the Army and Navy became
manifest more than half of this technical force was transferred to
the military branches by Executive order. This required with
drawing many officers from service on the vessels loaned by the
Philippine Government. In view of this and of the fact that the
Research has nearly completed the survey of all sheltered waters
where it is safe for her to go, and also on account of her age and
weakened condition, it was considered unsafe to send her to survey
exposed waters, and she was turned back to the insular govern,
ment in December, 1917. The Marinduque was transferred back
temporarily to the insular government on March 19, 1918.
122
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
The Service has fewer vessels than it had available 12 years ago.
It has but one ship built for its duty, the Surveyor, and but two
ships that can be said to be modern and in sound condition, the
Surveyor and the Isis. With the vast amount of work ahead on
which human life and property depend the vessel equipment is
not only insufficient but most of it very poor. The Coast and
Geodetic Survey is not responsible for the loss of life and property
in unsurveyed waters. It has repeatedly requested the means for
making these waters safe. Until those means are given it the loss
of life and property must and will continue.
The survey of Sewalls Point, Va. (3 square statute miles), was
asked by the Navy Department. It was accomplished in small
boats and may be classed as launch hydrography
The revision surveys of Pamlico, Croatan, and Roanoke Sounds,
N. C. (395 square statute miles), were made, using launches and
pulling boats.
The surveys in the York River, Va. (4.5 square statute miles),
were made at the request of the Navy Department. This was all
launch work.
The need of surveys of Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay
(1,690 square statute miles) and other surveys along the Gulf
coast is shown in my report for 1917. About half of this may be
classed as ship hydrography; the remaining half is launch hydrog
raphy.
Chesapeake Bay: Thirty-five miles of soundings were made; all
ship work.
Approaches to Cross Sound, Lisianski Inlet and Strait, Alaska
(2,317 square statute miles): About seven-eighths of this work may
be classed as ship hydrography. The remainder was launch hy
drography.
Northward from Cape Muzon, Alaska (3.8 square statute
miles): About two-thirds of this work may be classed as ship
hydrography. The remainder was launch hydrography.
Prince William Sound, Alaska (32 square statute miles): All
launch hydrography.
Approaches to Burdeus Bay, Polillo Island, north coast of
Polillo Island, and Cuyo Islands, Philippine Islands (1,516.5
square statute miles): About seven-tenths of this work was done
by the vessel and the remainder by launches.
West coast of Busuanga Island, Philippine Islands (2,443.6
square miles): N ine-tenths of this was done by the ship and the
remainder by launches.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
123
Southeast coast of Palawan Island, Philippine Islands (1,312
square miles): About half of this was done by the ship and half
by launches.
E^st coast of Palawan Island, Philippine Islands (1,134.4 square
statute miles): About half of this was done by the ship and half
by launches.
Manila Bay, Philippine Islands (315.5 square statute miles):
About nine-tenths of this was done by the ship and the remainder
by launches.
2. Wire-drag surveys.— There were five wire-drag parties in the
field within the year.
Wire-drag party No. x operated in the approaches to Ports
mouth Harbor, N. H., and in the vicinity of Block Island. This
party was in the field from July 1 to September 27, 1917, and from
May 6 to June 30, 1918. Ninety-seven square statute miles were
dragged.
Wire-drag party No. 2 operated in Block Island Sound, Narragansett Bay and approaches, Long Island Sound,'and vicinity of
I^astport, Me. The party was in the field from July 1 to Novem
ber 27, 1917, and from May 7 to June 30, 1918, and covered 167
square miles.
Wire-drag party No. 3 operated in Frederick Sound and Cook
Inlet, Alaska. The party was in the field from July 1 to Sep
tember 28, 1917, and from May 3 to June 30, 1918, and covered
230.2 square miles.
Wire-drag party No. 4 operated in the vicinity of Juneau,
Alaska. The party was in the field from July 1 to September 11,
1917, and covered 72.7 square miles.
Wire-drag party No. 5 operated in the vicinity of Dry Tortugas,
off the southern coast of Florida. The party was in the field
from July 1 to September 29, 1917, and covered 140 square miles.
3. Revision work.— Revision work was done in the localities
named below.
Plymouth, Mass.: 217.5 rrxiles of sounding lines run.
Buzzards Bay, Mass.: 5 miles of triangulation and 3 square
miles of hydrography.
South shore of Long Island Sound: xi triangulation stations
occupied 34 miles of shore-line run, 27.5 miles of railroads and
other roads.
Vicinity of Seattle, Wash., Lake Washington Ship Canal:
3 triangulation stations occupied; 14JJ square miles of topography
and 3.75 square miles of hydrography completed.
124
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
4.
Current observations.— The following are the general localities
of the principal current observations made during the year and
the number of stations occupied at each of these localities:
Nulnber of
Locality.
stations.
Block Island S o u n d .................
7
Coast of M aine............................
Lone Island So u n d ...................
T he Race, Long Island Sound
26
7
4
Port Jefferson, N . Y .................
H am pton Roads. V a ................
5. Tidal observations.— Tidi d observations were made throughout the year at the following permanent tidal stations:
8. K e y W e s t, F la .
1. P o rtla n d , M e.
2. F o rt H a m ilto n , N . Y .
9. C e d a r K e y s , F la .
3. A t la n t ic C it y , N . J.
10.
G a lv e s to n , T e x .
4. P h ila d e lp h ia , P a .
: 1 1 . S a n D ie g o , C a l.
5. B a ltim o r e , M d .'
6. F e m a n d in a , F la .
1 12. S a n F ra n c is c o , C a l.
j 13. C ra ig , A la s k a .
7. S t. A u g u s tin e , F la .
Important tidal observations were made at the following stations:
1. N e w L o n d o n , C on n .
2. N e w H a v e n , C o n n .
3. P o rt J e ffe rso n , N . Y .
7. P e te rs b u rg , A la s k a ,
i
8. C an o e C o v e , A la s k a .
9. M in e r I s la n d , A la s k a .
4. G lo u c e s te r P o in t, V a .
5. P a sc a g o u la , M iss.
10. A u k e B a y , A la s k a .
6. B a y S t . L o u is, M iss.
12. K in g C o v e , A la s k a .
1 1 . M c C lu re B a y , A la s k a .
6. Topography in connection with hydrographic work was
executed as follows:
Narragansett Bay and east end of Long Island Sound: 41.3
square miles.
Sewell Point, Va. : 1 square mile.
North Carolina sounds: 15 square miles of topography, 71 miles
of shore line, and 18yí miles of railroads and other roads surveyed.
Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay: 140 square miles of topog
raphy and 194.5 miles of shore line.
Cross Sound, Alaska: 32 square miles.
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands: 10 square miles.
Prince William Sound, Alaska: 40 square miles.
Stephens Passage, Alaska: 14.9 square miles.
Frederick Sound, Alaska: 126.25 square miles.
Coast of Alaska north of Cape Muzon: 10.5 square miles.
t
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
12 5
Knik Arm, Alaska: 2 square miles.
East Coast of Palawan, P. I .: 57 square miles.
Burdeus Bay, P. I.: 32.5 square miles.
Southeast coast of Palawan, P. I .: 45 square miles.
Manila Bay, P. I.: 47.2 square miles.
Northwest coast of Busuauga, P. I.: 4.5 square miles.
Geodesy.
Triangulation.— Primary triangulation was accomplished in the
following localities: Along the Wo Grande in Texas, and in the
vicinity of Stephens Passage and Lynn Canal, southeast Alaska;
the total linear extent of this triangulation is 639 miles. Primary
traverse was carried on in the following localities: Mostly in
Georgia, but also in South Carolina and Virginia; the extent of
this traverse is 940 miles. Tertiary triangulation was executed in
the following localities: Along the Cape Fear River in North
Carolina; the extent of this tertiary triangulation is 70 miles.
Precise levels.— During the year 2,367 miles of precise levels
were run as follows: In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Magnetic observations.— In continuation of the magnetic survey
of the United States, observations were made during the year at
275 stations in 21 States, of which 118 were new primary stations,
114 auxiliary stations, 34 repeat stations for the determination of
secular change, and 9 new stations in old localities. Meridian
lines were established when they were requested by the local
authorities. The number of county seats at which magnetic
observations have not been made were reduced from 163 to 138.
The observatories at Cheltenham, Md.; Vieques, P. R.; Tucson,
Ariz.; Sitka, Alaska; and near Honolulu, Hawaii, were in opera
tion throughout the year. Continuous photographic records were
secured of the variations of declination, horizontal intensity, and
vertical intensity. Absolute observations were made at least once
a week and scale-value determinations once a month. Beginning
with January, 1918, horizontal-intensity observations as well as
dip and declination were made both in the morning and in the
afternoon on the same day to secure additional data regarding the
relation between the variation and absolute instruments.
Need for Survey Vessels.
The most important class of hydrography is ship hydrography.
There are thousands upon thousands of square miles of this class
of hydrography that should be executed without further delay
12 6
»
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
These are areas removed from the sight of land, exposed waters in
extensive bays and sounds, and waters of these regions nearer
shore where there is no refuge to permit using smaller craft. In
such places results can be secured in no other way. These surveys
are of the utmost importance to maritime commerce; in many
instances the development of industries is retarded or prohibited
because of the lack of these surveys. The Bureau is in need of
proper ships with which to do this work.
This lack of adequate surveys is keenly felt by the shipping
interests that risk their vessels in Alaskan waters. There are
regions in which industries are awaiting development where these
companies will under no consideration send ships because of
certain but unknown dangers. This caution is grounded on ex
perience, as is shown by a letter received from the general manager
of the Pacific Steamship Co., under date of May 2, 1918, wherein
he says in part:
A t th e p re s e n t m o m e n t th e P a c ific S te a m s h ip C o. h a s tw o p a sse n g e r ste a m e rs in
tr o u b le in so u th e a ste rn A la s k a as th e r e s u lt o f " u n a v o id a b le s t r a n d in g s .”
F ir s t, th e
A d m ir a l E v a n s , w h ic h s t r u c k a n u n c h a r t e d ro c k in th e e n tra n c e o f H a w k e I n le t , as a
r e s u lt o f w h ic h i t w a s n e c e s s a r y to b e a c h h e r im m e d ia t e ly , w h e re sh e n o w lie s w it h
h e r s t e m in 11 fa th o m s o f w a te r.
T h ir t y d a y s ’ s a lv a g e o p e ra tio n s h a v e f a ile d o f re s u lts
a n d th e b e s t w e c a n h o p e for is th e loss o f t h e u se of th e v e s s e l for s ix m o n th s a n d a
to ta l e x p e n s e o f from $300,000 to $400,000 fo r r e c o v e r y a n d re p a irs. A ft e r th e a c c id e n t
a s u r v e y v e s se l w a s s e n t to th e sp o t a n d d is c o v e r e d a n d b u o y e d th e r o c k , th u s a d d in g
o n e m ore e x p e n s iv e u n it to t h e a c c id e n t a l s u r v e y o f A la s k a n w a te rs.
O u r ste a m s h ip A d m ir a l F a r r a g u t, w h ile ste a m in g n o rth from P e te r s b u r g o n A p r il
26, s t r u c k an u n k n o w n o b s tru c tio n , b u t w h e re th e c h a r t sh o w e d 3 a n d 3 X fa th o m s o f
w a te r a n d th e t id e o n e h o u r to g o ; w it h th e v e s se l d r a w in g 19 f e e t 6 in c h e s a ft, p r o b a b ly
n o t o v e r 16 f e e t fo rw a rd .
N o s. 1, 2, 3, a n d 5 ta n k s are le a k in g .
T h e p u m p s w ere
a b le to k e e p h e r a flo a t u n t il sh e a r r iv e d a t J u n e a u , w h e r e sh e is n o w d is c h a r g in g c a rg o ,
a n d it w ill u n d o u b t e d ly b e n e c e ss a r y to b r in g h e r to S e a ttle for e x t e n s iv e re p a irs.
I
u n d e r sta n d so m e o f th e C o a st a n d G e o d e tic S u r v e y p e o p le w e re a b o a rd th e A d m i r a l
F a r r a g u t w h e n sh e s t r u c k , a n d y o u w ill p r o b a b ly b e a p p ris e d o f th e d e ta ils .
Here the loss of a single company operating steamers in Alaskan
waters has been in two instances in excess of the entire appro
priations for the Coast and Geodetic Survey by this Government
for the current year for surveying the waters of Alaska, Washing
ton, Oregon, California, the Philippine Islands, and Hawaii.
The annual loss of ships and cargoes in the waters of Alaska
alone averaged $490,000 for the 10-year period from 1906 to 19x5,
inclusive. This is more thaxx enough at present prices to build a
new surveying steamer every year and maintain her in full opera
tion. A sum less than the cost of the wrecks for any two years of
this 10-year period if spent in survey ships and crews would have
prevented the other wrecks. Stated differently, there would have
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
127
been an approximate saving in eight years of §3,920,000 in wrecks
for the investment of less than $960,000. This is at the rate of
over 50 per cent per annum on the investment, but takes no
account of the salvage of life.
While the results of the unsurveyed or partly surveyed waters
bordering Alaska present a striking example of retarding a coun
try’s development when it could be stimulated so as to return a
profit far beyond the cost of proper surveys, this condition is not
peculiar to Alaska. Ship-borne commerce which is traversing some
coastal waters of the continental United States escapes destruc
tion more through the experience and knowledge of the navigator
than by the guidance of charts that are supposed to contain all the
information necessary for safety.
I may sum up the situation by comparing the area surveyed by
the vessels of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in the waters of the
three Pacific Coast States and Alaska during one year with the
total area of these waters that remain to be covered by ship
surveys. The table below gives a summation of the areas covered
by the different vessels.
Nam e of vessel.
A rea
covered
in square
statute
miles.
Field of operations.
D o ...............
D o .................
D o ...
Taku...
Oregon...............................................................................................
California..........................................................................................
None.
None.
The total area in square statute miles of waters adjacent to
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California that can not be sur
veyed by other than vessels of seagoing size and of which surveys
are immediately necessary to make navigation safe is as follows:
Square stat
ute miles.
A l a s k a .................................................................................................................................................. 587,000
W ash in g to n ........................................................................................................................................
1 1,5 0 0
O r e g o n .................................................................................................................................................
15,20 0
C a lifo r n ia ............................................................................................................................................
35>4°o
T o t a l .......................................................................................................................................
649 ,10 0
128
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
The conclusion is inevitable that if these conditions are going to
be remedied more surveying vessels must be put into the field in
these waters. These ships are not an expense, but an investment.
They pay large annual interest on their cost and maintenance.
The present condition is a national reproach, a reflection on the
humanity and sober business sense of our country.
Wire-Drag Launches.
While surveys of water area removed from the sight of land,
exposed waters in extensive bays and sounds, and waters nearer
shore, where there is no harbor for smaller craft, must be made
by surveying ships, another class of hydrographic surveys can
only be made with special power launches and special equipment—
viz, the wire-drag survey. This is the only method of making
effective surveys where prevailing depths are in excess of the
needs of navigation, and yet there are obstructions projecting
from the bottom which would damage or wreck a vessel that struck
them.
The following table, which gives the wire-drag work now com
pleted and that yet to be done, show's the necessity of proper
equipment for ware-drag work:
Region.
T o ta l................................................................................................................................
Wire-drag
surveys
completed
(square
statute
miles).
Wire-drag
surveys
to be made
(square
statute
miles,
approxi
m ated).
739
1,800
216
500
2.300
14
1,638
200
50,000
200
3,807
54,800
The above table gives the principal areas where ware-drag sur
veys must be made; but there are many smaller localities where
examinations are needed with the wire drag (such as San Fran
cisco Harbor) and other extensive water areas where ware-drag
work must eventually be done (such as the coral-infested waters
of the Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam).
Enlistment of Seamen.
Three vessels available for certain surveys in Alaskan waters
were forced to lie idle at the docks in Seattle during most of
REPORT OK THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
129
the fiscal year, the Explorer and Taku being in the field but a month
each and the Patterson less than three months. This was because
of the lack of officers and the difficulty of getting seamen to man
the vessels. The vessels, such as they were, could have done more
in protected waters if we had been able to get men.
The causes that lead to this state of affairs are many. The bad
results have not been so manifest during normal times, though
then matters were not going in a harmonious way. During the
stress of war, however, when conditions were abnormal and an
important arm of the Government service was thus crippled, the
need of some remedial measures was keenly felt.
It is believed that there is a solution of this difficulty certain to
result in efficiency and ultimately in great economy, though it
involves an increased initial expenditure and a departure from
present methods.
High efficiency can not be had in a service where the duties of
its seamen are so different from the usual ones as to require months
of special training and instruction before the seamen can become
proficient, when such seamen are only employed for the surveying
season of some six or seven months, are then discharged, and an
entirely new crew recruited when the succeeding season opens.
Attention has been called to the need for additional surveys of
the waters of Alaska and on the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and
California.
The remedy suggested is this:
1. That surveying vessels be provided of a type sufficiently
staunch to make surveys in Alaskan waters during the summer
months and in the waters of Washington, Oregon, and California
during the winter months and so equipped as to provide comfort
able quarters for seamen throughout the year.
2. That the appropriations for manning the vessels of the
Coast and Geodetic Survey be so increased that a standard wage
can be paid the seamen on the vessels of this Service throughout
the year.
3. That authority be granted to enlist seamen for service in
the Coast and Geodetic Survey for a period of one year that will
be'binding upon them during the period of the enlistment, as are
enlistments in the Navy and the Coast Guard.
From such an arrangement benefits are bound to accrue to both
the seamen and the Government. The suggestion is predicated on
the advantages being mutual. Employment for seamen will be
87481—18----- 9
13 0
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
continuous under conditions that are agreeable, the Government
will have trained complements of men on its vessels familiar with
the intricate details of making surveys and will be able to draw to
the Service competent and suitable seamen who will have before
them prospects of continuous service and advancement in pay.
Furthermore, surveys that are of vital importance to the pro
tection of life and property will be accelerated far in excess of
possible accomplishment under present conditions.
Additional Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineers.
While the regular work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey is now
curtailed by war conditions, and the energies of those remaining
in civil employment with the Bureau are directed toward accom
plishments requested by the Navy and the Army, it is necessary
to consider the needs of the Bureau for field officers to adequately
perform the normal duties of the Service.
In the report of the Bureau for 1916 it was urged that 48
additional commissioned officers were needed to properly carry on
its field work. In partial recognition of this need 20 new positions
have been granted. This added personnel has been of great
assistance in putting new life into the Service. The Bureau is,
however, yet short 28 officers to put it on such a footing that the
commissioned personnel will be sufficient to care for the field work.
Office Needs.
Draftsmen.— Stated in the order of the Bureau’s present require
ments, the classes of personnel where relief is urgently needed
are as follows:
1. Draftsmen.
2. Computers.
3. Clerks.
The term “ draftsmen” applied to the employees of the Coast
and Geodetic Survey who compile the charts is a misnomer. The
mechanical drawing of the characteristics shown on the published
chart is by far the least duty of the force engaged. The more
serious work is the examination of the mass of data from all
sources, some of which are unquestionably accurate, others
doubtful, and still others of uncertain character, and from these
produce a chart that represents true conditions.
The military services have drawn some of our most experienced
draftsmen, and others are on leave doing special war work. This
only emphasizes a condition that has existed for years, namely,
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
131
that there is and has long been a great mass of information that
has not and can not be applied to the charts of the Bureau at the
time the information is current because there is not the necessary
force of cartographers to digest and apply it as it comes in.
Because of the high attainments required of those engaged on
this work the salaries should be higher than at present, especially
in the lower grades. Indeed, if the positions are to be filled and
conditions continue as at present these salaries must be increased,
because candidates can not be found to fill them. Some of the
lower paid positions have been vacant for months.
Computers.— The services of computers are required and used
in three divisions of this Bureau.
1. In the division of geodesy in the computation of the results
of geodetic surveys.
2. In the division of hydrography and topography in making
computations for the annual tide tables and discussion of current
data.
3. In the division of terrestrial magnetism in the computations
of the field and observatory observations, and the discussion of the
results therefrom.
While conditions are not as bad in these divisions and the masses
of data from field observations, etc., are not so great as those
before the draftsmen, yet there are many folios of results of field
observations (geodetic, tidal, and magnetic) containing informa
tion that can only be effectively presented for public use in printed
form that have not been reached by the computing force.
With the present scale of salaries, it is not possible to secure new
computers of the required training and ability, nor to hold the old
computers experienced in the work. Of the entire force (author
ized) of 31 computers, there are only 6 now in the .Service who
were here at the beginning of 1907. In the division of geodesy,
to which 22 of the computers are assigned, there are now only 2
who were there in 1907. Twelve places are either vacant or filled
by temporary appointees.
Recently four men took the examination and all four men were
offered positions at $1,200 per annum, the regular entrance salary.
One of these wanted $2,000, another $1,700, as an entrance salary,
and the other two refused the position.
There has recently been a call for computers in the Ordnance
Department, the requirements being substantially the same as for
computers in the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the salaries ranging
132
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
from $1,400 to $1,800 a year. For master computer, with addi
tional requirements of at least two years of experience in engineer
ing or similar pursuits, salaries ranging from $1,800 to $2,400 a
year are offered.
Clerks.—-This Bureau in relation to its clerical force has few
parallels in the Government service. The work of the Bureau is
specialized. The clerical force is not large (42 in number). No
two clerks in the Bureau have duties that are exactly similar, and
the duties of many are highly technical. From this it follows that
when a vacancy occurs in the clerical force the new appointee is
assigned to duties which are different from any clerical experience
he has had, and there is no clerk in the division to which he is
assigned to assist him to learn his duties. He acquires this infor
mation only at the expense of a great loss of time of the chief of
the division, who must teach him the details of the work. Conse
quently, frequent changes in the clerical force not only hinder the
prompt answering of the inquiries of the public but retard the
technical work of the Bureau.
Owing to the disparity between the statutory salaries in this
Service and those paid in other branches of the Government, the
changes in the clerical personnel are in excess of the average in
other Government services.
The statutory salary of half of the clerical force of the Bureau
is not in excess of $1,000 per annum. There are 42 clerks in the
Bureau. The statutory salaries of 21 of these are as follows:
Six at $720 per annum.
Ten at $900 per annum.
Five at $1,000 per annum.
The result was that during the fiscal year no less than 27 persons
occupied 5 of the statutory places at $720 per annum and 33 per
sons occupied the xo statutory places for clerks at $900 per annum.
The general average has been that these positions have been held
less than three months, there being many intervals when candi
dates could not be found walling to accept such salaries.
While the Government has thus really paid from its salary rolls
a minimum price for clerical help, it has lost an immense amount
of time of highly skilled technical employees who have instructed
during one year each of these 60 different incumbents of different
clerical positions, and the net result has been a financial loss far
in excess of salaries that would retain a permanent force.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
133
Instrument Makers.
There is another need in the office personnel that has a direct
effect on field work. This is an increased number of and higher
entrance salary for instrument makers. These must be specially
skilled men in repairing and making of the intricate parts of deli
cate surveying instruments, such as theodolites, sextants, levels,
etc. We need men of higher attainments than are usually found
in quantity-production instrument shops of manufacturers of sur
veying instruments. In those places men are generally skilled
only in the production of special parts in numbers of a given in
strument. The men in the Coast and Geodetic Survey shop must
be able to make necessary parts for and repairs to any delicate
surveying instrument and with high precision. An inaccuracy in
the instrument would bring inaccuracies in the results from
surveys made with it.
The entrance salary of $1,200 does not attract men of the
requisite experience to fill these positions. One of these positions
was created July 1, 1917. It was only after a solicitation by
correspondence and personal inquiry covering nearly six months
that an incumbent was found. Another of the $1,200 positions
has been vacant for months. The Bureau is unable to induce
anyone with mechanical ability to accept an appointment to fill
the vacancy.
Retirement for Commissioned Officers.
In earlier reports mention has been made of the need of some
system of retirement in order to bring about the maximum of
results with the greatest economy. The Coast and Geodetic
Survey is the oldest scientific bureau of the Federal Government,
and naturally the defects attendant on superannuation are quite
apparent.
The commissioned officers in the Coast and Geodetic Survey
now number 124. Of these 10 are more than 64 years of age and
have had an average service of over 44 years; 16 are over 60 years
old and have had an average service of 42 years. To retire those
above 64 years of age on three-fourths pay would have required
an appropriation of but $16,650 for the current year, and would
have enabled us to bring into the service 10 new field officers who
are sorely needed.
The fact that the pay of these officers during their long service
has been too small to permit laying aside a competence for old age
134
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
is not, however, the principal consideration in urging retirement for
them. The stronger reason is the privations they have to endure
and the risks incident to the service. The surveys made by the
Coast and Geodetic Survey ought to and usually do precede com
merce, and often civilization. The surveying vessels of the service
must enter, explore, and survey unknown waters in advance of
commerce or of the vessels of the Navy, the Coast Guard, and of
all other vessels. The hydrographic parties must go into unex
plored waters and make examinations in order that the commerce
to follow may be safe. In doing this work these parties are cut off
from settlements and even from communications for weeks and
months at a time. Often in the Philippines they live and work in
direct contact with the uncivilized natives of the tropical forests
bordering the waters where surveys are made.
The surveying work of this Service covers a wide field. Its
officers are exposed to the tropical diseases and dangers of the
Philippines and sent into the desolate Arctic regions. In connec
tion with such work as the determination of the one hundred and
forty-first meridian, the boundary line between Alaska and
Canada, they have been for self-preservation forced to assume
civil charge of the native population and exercise strict authority
to stamp out smallpox.
In making surveys of Alaskan waters, officers are particularly
exposed to dangers. The vessels they have had to use, small, old,
and weak, are no match for the gales that are common to that
country. It is only through foresight in selecting harbors of
refuge and by good seamanship that disasters have been averted.
Though it is not the regular function of the Bureau, its officers
play no small part in saving lives and property. Word often comes
of assistance lent vessels in distress or lives and property saved.
Persons have been rescued from stranded ships in all our waters
by these officers. These risks and hardships are normal to the civil
employment of the officers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. In
military activities also they have taken their part. In the Civil
War 55 took an active part in the Army and 48 in the Navy, and
their services are shown to have been highly prized by the testi
monials of the military and naval officers under whom they served.
They were in the Army and Navy without any military status and
if captured would not have been accorded the protection of
prisoners of war, but would have been subject to treatment as
spies. Permanent legislation has been enacted authorizing the
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
135
President to commission and to transfer by Executive order to
the Army or Navy the officers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as
necessity demands, in effect making the Service a military reserve
force. In this way 25 commissioned officers have been trans
ferred to the Army and 42 to the Navy. These officers are to-day
taking all risks of military service.
The commissioned officers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey to
be of normal efficiency must be a permanent force. That is to
say, the work of the Bureau is so specialized in particular branches
of the field of engineering that the young men that come to the
Service from universities, where they are highly trained in the
science of engineering, must have a long course of special training
by the officers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey before they become
proficient and are able to carry on the specialized work of the
Bureau. It is only after years of experience and training that
they become of the greatest value. Therefore, the young engineer
must early determine either that he will cast his lot with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey diming his professional career or he must early
seek other fields of service because his engineering work with the
Bureau is highly specialized, and long training in it rather tends
to make him less fit for successful effort in broader engineer
ing fields. It, therefore, is true that those who have been in the
Service more than a very few years are devoting their lives to the
advancement of this special service!
These reasons justify a claim for retirement for the commissioned
officers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Recent Legislation.
,
The following is a summary of legislation contained in the sundry
civil act of July 1, 1918, affecting the Coast and Geodetic Survey:
Among the important pieces of enabling legislation for the Serv
ice is the authorization of the payment of not to exceed $1 per
day as extra compensation to employees of the Lighthouse Service
while observing tides or currents. Lightships are peculiarly well
situated to collect tide and current data, but such observations
are not part of the duty of the Bureau of Lighthouses and can
not justly be imposed on the light keepers of that Service without
additional compensation. The appropriations for the Coast and
Geodetic Survey could not be used to recompense them for
such additional duties without this authorization. It is expected
that predictions can be made as the results of data collected on
136
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
lightships which will directly benefit navigators and save vessels
from loss by providing knowledge of the direction and strength
of ocean currents.
Other items are the authorization of the running of lines of
precise levels in the interior of Alaska; the employment of drafts
men in the preparation of plans and specifications for vessels,
and especially the reimbursement of officers of the Bureau for
food, clothing, medicines, and other supplies furnished for the
temporary relief of distressed persons in remote localities and to
shipwrecked persons.
On March 16, 1918, the War Department requested the services
of Dr. E. Lester Jones, Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey, in connection with the work of the supply division of the
Signal Corps. Dr. Jones was temporarily released from his
duties at the Coast and Geodetic Survey and was appointed by
the War Department and given the rank of major and later pro
moted to lieutenant colonel, and since then has been commissioned
colonel.
On August 16, 1918, Mr. William Bowie was transferred from
the Coast and Geodetic Survey to the War Department and
given the rank of major.
The personnel from the Coast and Geodetic Survey has received
the following commissions in the War and Navy Departments:
W AR D EPARTM ENT.
N A V Y DEPARTM ENT.
C o lo n e l...............................................................
i
L ie u t e n a n t c o m m a n d e r s .............................
5
M a jo r ..................................................................
1
L ie u t e n a n t s .......................................................
24
C a p t a in s ............................................................
3
F ir s t lie u t e n a n t s ...........................................
18
E n s ig n s ................................................................
L ie u te n a n ts , ju n io r g r a d e ........................... 17
4
S e c o n d lie u t e n a n t s ......................................
10
A s s is t a n t s u rg e o n .............................................
1
STEAMBOAT-INSPECTION SERVICE.
(G
eorge
U
hler
,
Supervising Inspector General.)
Organization.
The following positions were embraced in the SteamboatInspection Service at the close of business on June 30, 1918:
A t W a s h in g to n , D . C .:
S u p e r v is in g I n s p e c to r G e n e r a l.......................................................................................
i
C h ie f c le r k (w h o is a c tin g S u p e r v is in g I n s p e c to r G e n e ra l in th e a b se n c e
of t h a t o ffic e r ) ....................................................................................................................
1
C le r k s ..........................................................................................................................................
M e s se n g e r..................................................................................................................................
9
i
12
I n t h e S e r v ic e a t la rg e :
S u p e r v is in g in s p e c t o r s ........................................................................................................
10
T r a v e lin g in s p e c t o r s .............................................................................................................
2
L o c a l in sp e c to rs o f h u l l s ....................................................................................................
48
L o c a l in sp e c to rs o f b o ile r s .................................................................................................
48
A s s is ta n t in sp e c to rs o f h u l l s .............................................................................................
64
A s s is ta n t in sp e c to r s o f b o ile r s .........................................................................................
64
C le r k s to b o a rd s o f lo c a l in s p e c t o r s ..............................................................................
73
309
T o t a l................................................................................................................................................. 321
Nineteen permanent positions were added to the Service during
the year, as follows:
One clerk in the office of the Supervising Inspector General,
Washington, D. C.
A board of local inspectors was established at Tampa, Fla., con
sisting of a local inspector of hulls and a local inspector of boilers.
Three assistant inspectors of hulls and three assistant inspectors
of boilers at the port of New York, N. Y.
One assistant inspector of hulls and one assistant inspector of
boilers at each of the following ports: Seattle, Wash.; Phila
delphia, Pa.; and Boston, Mass.
One additional clerk in each of the following offices: San Fran
cisco, Cal.; Seattle, Wash.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Tampa, Fla.
Summary of Activities and Statistics.
Following is a summary of activities and statistics for the fiscal
year 1918:
The force inspected and certificated 7,015 vessels, with a total
gross tonnage of 8,464,696, of which 6,788 were domestic vessels,
137
13 8
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
with a total gross tonnage of 6,846,356, and 227 were foreign
passenger steam vessels, with a total gross tonnage of 1,618,340.
Of the domestic vessels there were 5,532 steam vessels, 695 motor
vessels, 18 passenger barges, and 543 seagoing barges. There was
an increase of 31 in the total number of vessels inspected and an
increase of 1,215,107 in the total gross tonnage of vessels inspected
as compared with the previous fiscal year. Letters of approval
of designs of boilers, engines, and other operating machinery were
granted to 33 steam vessels, with a total gross tonnage of 978.
There were inspected for the United States Government 84 hulls
and 1,716 boilers. There were 1,798 reinspections of passenger
and ferry steamers. The two traveling inspectors traveled 17,872
miles, inspected 277 vessels, and found and reported 46 deficiencies
of various kinds.
Licenses were issued to 32,458 officers of all grades. There were
examined for visual defects 11,715 applicants for license, of whom
206 were found color blind or with other visual defects and re
jected. Certificates of service were issued to 8,334 able seamen,
and 600 were rejected. Certificates of efficiency were issued to
5,101 lifeboat men, and 786 were rejected.
Steel plates for the construction of marine boilers to the number
of 9,605 were inspected at the mills, and a large amount of other
boiler material was inspected. There were examined and tested
319,259 new life preservers, of which number 5,474 were rejected.
The total number of accidents resulting in loss of life was 217.
The total number of lives lost was 500, of which 77 were passen
gers. Of the lives lost, 147 were from suicide, accidental drown
ing, and other causes beyond the power of the Service to prevent,
leaving a loss of 353 as fairly chargeable to accidents, collisions,
founderings, etc. There was a decrease of 92 in the number of
lives lost as compared with the previous fiscal year. Passengers
to the number of 335,141,118 were carried on vessels required by
lawr to make report of the number of passengers carried. Dividing
this number by 77, the total number of passengers lost, shows
that 4,352,482 passengers were carried for each passenger lost.
The number of lives saved by means of the life-saving appliances
required by law was 1,356.
Part in the War With Germany.
The Steamboat-Inspection Service occupies an active posi
tion in the prosecution of the war against Germany, and every
thing possible has been done by the Service to make it more
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
139
efficient. Methods of administration have been improved, regu
lations adaptable to war conditions have been adopted, prompt
investigations of instances of alleged disloyalty on the part of
licensed officers have been held, and Congress has enacted impor
tant legislation for the Sendee, which has tended to efficiency.
The Steamboat-Inspection Sendee was so organized that there
has been no delay whatever caused by administrative methods
since the beginning of the war. Where improvements could be
made they were made, and where short cuts could be taken they
were taken. The work of the Service has increased enormously,
but the personnel has not increased commensurately. It was,
therefore, only by adopting effective methods that the Sendee
was able to meet the demands upon it. The correspondence has
been heavy since more business interests are giving their atten
tion to maritime affairs and more persons wish information in
regard to the merchant marine.
The office of the Supervising Inspector General was called upon
to answer many questions relating to these matters. All in
formation requested was furnished promptly, usually upon the
same day. In some cases telegraphic instructions have been given
to inspectors, that there might be no delay.
While the spirit of the Service is to adjust difficulties, as far as
possible, by administrative authority, there are instances that
require the adoption of regulations to meet situations that can not
be so adjusted. Therefore, the Board of Supervising Inspectors
has promptly adopted regulations with reference to the inspection
of vessels and the licensing of men that have resulted in making
conditions on board ships as safe as possible under war conditions,
and at the same time have enabled men to obtain licenses who
could not have been licensed under former rules. The work of
the executive committees of the Board of Supervising In
spectors has been very effective in this connection as the com
mittees meet when the board is not in session. The elasticity of
this organization has proven very effective.
Ever since the war started the office of the Supervising Inspector
General has been in correspondence with the Office of Naval
Intelligence of the Navy Department concerning cases where that
office reported instances of alleged disloyalty of persons holding
licenses from the Steamboat-Inspection Service. In every such
instance the local inspectors having jurisdiction have followed
140
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
down the reports and investigated the rumors. In those eases
which were proven the licenses were promptly revoked.
In connection with the cooperative work of the SteamboatInspection Service of this Department with the United States
Shipping Board it is interesting to note letter received from Mr.
Edward N. Hurley, chairman of the Shipping Board, dated
August 29, addressed to the Secretary of Commerce. The letter
is as follows and calls particular attention to the need for addi
tional inspectors and clerks, due to the constantly increasing
demands made by the Shipping Board:
T h e a tte n tio n o f th e S h ip p in g B o a rd h a s b e e n d ir e c te d to th e n e e d for in c r e a s e d
p e rso n n e l in th e S te a m b o a t- In s p e c tio n S e r v ic e , th ro u g h th e le tte r from th e S u p e r
v is in g I n s p e c to r G e n e ra l o f t h a t S e r v ic e u n d e r d a te o f A u g u s t 28, 1918.
T h e u rg e n t n e e d for a d d it io n a l in sp e c to rs a n d c le r k s in t h e S te a m b o a t- In s p e c tio n
S e r v ic e , w e r e a liz e , is la r g e ly d u e to th e c o n s t a n tly in c r e a sin g d e m a n d s m a d e b y t h e
S h ip p in g B o a rd in th e m a tte r o f n e w c o n stru c tio n a n d in th e tr a in in g of n e w officers
a n d e n g in e e rs.
T h e S h ip p in g B o a rd d e sire s to m a k e a c k n o w le d g m e n t o f th e e ffic ie n t s e r v ic e r e n
d e re d in th e p a st b y th e I n s p e c tio n S e r v ic e , a n d it is lo a th to see a c u r t a ilm e n t o f th is
s e r v ic e or o f t h e p ro m p tn e ss o f its e x e c u t io n d u e to a sh o rta g e of in sp e cto rs.
I t is
e ss e n tia l in o rd e r th a t n e w c o n stru c tio n b e m a d e a v a ila b le p r o m p t ly t h a t y o u r c o n
tin u e d c o o p e ra tio n b e m a d e a v a ila b le b y a d e q u a te fa c ilitie s .
Examination of Interned Vessels.
A tabulated statement follows, showing the places at which
examined, the number, and the nationality of the vessels belonging
to Germany and Austria which were interned and later seized by
this country.
Port.
German.
Austrian.
Port.
German, j Austrian.
Norfolk.
76, !;
9
There were a few more vessels interned and taken over by the
Government than appear in the table above; the figures show only
those that were examined by inspectors of the Steamboat-Inspec
tion Service.
Reference has been made in the press to the fact that there
were certain interned vessels that were to be taken over, but
unless one were familiar with the immense amount of work incident
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
141
to the examination of these vessels, the machinery of which was
attempted to be ruined by men working under the direction of a
foreign power, one can not appreciate the immense problem that
confronted the inspectors of the Steamboat-Inspection Sendee in
making an examination of the vessels.
It was necessary that the examination should be most thorough
to ascertain exactly what was necessary to put these vessels into
first-class condition. That the work of the Service was effective
is proven by the very successful manner in which these ships have
been operated since they have been flying the American flag.
Important Legislation.
During the fiscal year, by the act of Congress approved March
29, 1918, section 4472, Revised Statutes, was so amended as to
provide that kerosene and lubricating oils made from refined
products of petroleum, which will stand a fire test of not less than
300° F., may be used as stores on board steamers carrying pas
sengers, under stxch regulations as may be prescribed by the Board
of Supervising Inspectors, with the approval of the Secretary of
Commerce.
The act of Congress approved June 10, 1918, has made it pos
sible for appeals to be taken in practically every instance to the
Supervising Inspector General, and when that officer’s decision is
approved by the Secretary of Commerce the action is final. The
effect of the enactment of this law will be to result in a more
centralized administrative authority and in increased efficiency.
The act of Congress approved July 2, 1918, resulted in a sub
stantial increase of pay for the inspectors of the Service. Con
gress took timely action in enacting this law, because the Steam
boat-Inspection Service faced practical disorganization. Prompt
action should now be taken with reference to increasing the pay
of the clerks of the Steamboat-Inspection Service. The persons
who do this work have to be peculiarly qualified, and it is believed
that unless prompt relief is given the machinery of the Service
will be much impaired by the loss of competent clerks and the
inability of the officers of the Service to obtain competent persons
to take their places.
The Spirit of the Service.
The Steamboat-Inspection Service does things. In time of war
or during crises men look for practical results. In such times men
tie to leaders who act. Vessels have to be inspected, and that
H 2
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
promptly, and men must be licensed without delay. With this
Service it is not a question of finding how not to do things, but
how to do things. The time of day or night does not matter, nor
do the hours of work. The clerks in the Steamboat-Inspection
Service have responded splendidly to the unusual demands made
upon them, because certificates of inspection have to be prepared
and licenses have to be written out, not at convenience or several
days after, but immediately when the necessity arises. An
enormous amount of work has had to be done in the compilation
of reports and data for other branches of the Government, and this
has been done without delay. There has been no complaining,
but there has been a cheerful response on the part of everyone
to the unusual demands that have been made upon them.
BUREAU OF NAVIGATION.
(E. T.
Cham
b e r l a in
,
Commissioner.)
American shipping registered for the foreign trade and enrolled
and licensed for the coasting trade, including the fisheries, on
June 30, 19x8, comprised 26,711 vessels of 9,924,518 gross tons,
compared with 26,397 vessels of 8,871,037 gross tons on June 30,
1917, an increase of 314 vessels and 1,053,481 gross tons. The
following statement shows at a glance the total of our tonnage at
the close of each of the last five fiscal years and indicates the great
changes which have taken place within that period:
Coasting trade.
June 30—
1914..................................................................................
1917...................................................................................
Foreign
trade.
Great
Lakes.
1 ,076,152
2,882,922
*>871,543
2,818,000
2 ,1 9 1 ,7 1 5
2,760,815
2, 769,824
2,446,399
3,603,706
2,708,523
Sea and
rivers.
3,969,614
3,699,886
3 >5 i 7 ,H 9
3,654,814
3,612,289
Total.
7,928,688
8,389,4*9
8,469, 649
8,871,037
9,924,5*8
These figures for June 30, 1918, must be supplemented by others
outside of customhouse records to show adequately the situation.
Thus, between April 6, 1917, when the United States declared
war, and June 30, 1918, a total of 54 vessels of 404,760 gross tons
were placed under control of the Army and Navy as transports
and for other military and naval purposes, giving up for the time
their registers and commercial character. Most of our seagoing
ships, though still under register, have given up to a great extent
their mercantile character and are owned or requisitioned by the
Government of the United States as a necessary instrumentality
for the prosecution of the war oversèas. Thus, on June 30, 1918,
the seagoing ships of over 1,000 gross tons each comprised 315 sail
vessels of 518,216 gross tons and 965 steamers and motor ships of
3,788,676 gross tons. Of the total of 1,280 vessels of 4,306,892
gross tons the United States Shipping Board owned 265 ships of
1,031,564 gross tons and had under requisition 447 ships of
2,341,117 gross tons; in all 712 of 3,372,681 gross tons. The
143
144
REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
power of requisition is a war power granted for war purposes, and
the Shipping Board fleets are thus as essentially a war instru
mentality as the Army transports, though in fact portions of the
requisitioned fleet are still operating under direction of their
owners as agents of the Shipping Board, in the trades in which
they were engaged before the war. During the year 64 American
ships of 163,254 gross tons were destroyed by German torpedoes
and mines, with the loss of 326 lives.
The vessels built in the United States and documented as ves
sels of the United States during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1918, numbered 1,528 of 1,300,868 gross tons, compared with
1,297 °f 664,479 gross tons during the year ended June 30, 1917,
which was the record American output up to that date. Of the
total 17 ships of 75,685 gross tons were built under contracts by
and documented for the United .States Shipping Board, including
2 wooden steamers of 6,068 gross tons. While the year’s ship
building results may be below the popular expectations, they are
in fact satisfactory in view of the difficulties under which the
work was long prosecuted. Simultaneously with merchant ship
building our shipyards, especially those on the Atlantic coast,
have carried on a larger amount of work on warships of various
types than ever before in our history. Early in the fiscal year
acts of Congress and large appropriations took effect which rad
ically changed the nature of the shipbuilding industry in the
United States. Some of these acts and appropriations were
passed by Congress before June 30, 1917, but their full effect was
not felt until the fiscal year began. The Government of the
United States entered into contracts for the construction of great
fleets of merchant ships, steel and wooden, in private shipyards, it
aided in the establishment of new shipyards in various ways, and
it took possession of a large tonnage in various stages of comple
tion or under contract for American, British, French, Norwegian,
and other shipowners. So radical a change in the industry natu
rally was not brought about without some delays and confusion,
the effects of which in diminished production during the first part
of the fiscal year are reflected in the year’s output. During the
ten months ended October, 1918, we built 2,082,251 gross tons,
and if the present rate of construction is maintained, we shall
build during the calendar year 1918 double the tonnage built
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918. In the fiscal year we
also built and delivered to foreign owners 22 vessels of 48,531
gross tons.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
145
Shipping Commissioners.
During the year 457,248 officers and men have been shipped and
discharged, including repeated shipments and discharges, by
United States Shipping Commissioners, compared with 506,941
during the previous fiscal year. Nearly all the ports show a slight
increase for the year, but at New York there was a decrease of
56,526, due to the change in policy by which enlisted men of the
Navy to an increasing extent have been employed, instead of
merchant crews, to man ships engaged in the transportation over
seas of troops, supplies, and munitions of war.
Navigation Receipts.
The receipts from tonnage duties during the fiscal year amounted
to $1,171,418.36 (including $4,633.14 Philippine Islands fund and
$3,362.50 alien and penal tonnage duties and light money). The
total is $222,324.80 less than the amount for the previous year.
The reduction is due almost wholly to the great extent to which the
transportation overseas of troops, munitions, and supplies has
taken the place of mercantile navigation. Such Government
ships, of course, do not pay tonnage duties. As the Government’s
ownership and operation of ships under register increases, the
receipts from tonnage duties may become somewhat illusory,
because in fact one branch of the Government will in the last
analysis be paying these duties to another, and essentially the
transaction will be one of bookkeeping rather than of revenue.
Receipts from navigation fees amounted to $146,508.02 com
pared with $159,808.03 for the previous year, navigation and small
miscellaneous fines amounted to $32,097.68 compared with
$49,962.37 for the previous year, and excise tax of $1,468.60 under
the former yacht excise law was collected, navigation receipts thus
amounting in all to $1,351,492.66 compared with $1,603,489.32
for the previous year.
Radio Communication.
Upon the declaration of war 18 of the 25 men in the radio
inspection force volunteered and were commissioned at once as
officers in the Army and Navy. They have served with credit in
responsible positions with our expeditionary forces in France, on
the seas, and wherever assigned to duty. During the year the
work has been continued by substitutes, who are also gradually
leaving for military and naval service. They have made 4,341
87481—18----10
146
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
inspections of ships out of 9,706 clearances compared with 6,103
inspections out of 12,139 clearances for the previous year. The
demand of the Navy for wireless apparatus has been so great,
coupled with the demand to equip increasing numbers of regis
tered ships, that the distribution of apparatus has been under
direction of the Navy Department. As the apparatus at times
under the conditions can not fully comply with the law, it has
seemed proper to arrange that the Navy Department which has
allotted apparatus, should also inspect it, thus modifying the
enforcement of the law. During the year the Bureau has licensed
1,942 commercial operators of various grades, compared with 680
during the previous year. The demand for skilled operators is
very heavy, and to help meet it the radio inspectors, in addition
to their statutory duties and with the cordial cooperation of
collectors of customs and others, have opened schools of instruc
tion for operators. From the Boston Customhouse School 200
students have entered the Army or Navy and 131 from the Detroit
school.
Enforcement of the Navigation Laws.
During the year 4,749 violations of the navigation laws were
reported and acted upon compared with 7,569 during the pre
vious year. The decrease of 2,323 violations by motor boats may
be attributed in part to the thorough inspection work of recent
years, in part to the diminished use of such boats, and in part to
rigid war regulations along the seaboard. Of the total viola
tions, 2,654 were reported by customs officers, 1,422 by naviga
tion inspectors, 809 by the motor vessel Tartagon, and 84 by the
motor vessel Kilkenny, the motor vessel Dixie serving through
out the year as a naval dispatch boat at an important naval base.
While the number of reported violations of law is less than last
year, the inspections, especially so far as they involve safety to
life, have been fully maintained.
To prevent overcrowding of passenger and excursion boats
navigation inspectors during the year have made 13,576 counts
of 4,916,772 passengers compared with 15,566 such counts of
6,796,441 passengers during the previous year. War activities
have reduced the extent of passenger and excursion business at
nearly all ports. On 385 occasions the inspectors stopped the
boarding of passengers when limits were reached. During the
year 32 owners of small vessels, mainly members of the United
States power squadrons, gave their time and the use of their
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
147
boats at the nominal consideration of $1 per annum in aiding in
enforcing the navigation laws, and have rendered useful sendee
to the Government which is appreciated.
Tonnage Admeasurement.
During the current calendar year the United States will build
a larger tonnage of merchant ships than any other nation has
ever built within a year, and at the present rate of construction
during the calendar year 1919 our output will exceed any annual
output of the rest of the world. Most of this shipping is seagoing,
subject in the ports of the world to various charges based on
tonnage admeasurement ascertained under the direction of the
Bureau of Navigation. While at some ports the work is performed
carefully and accurately by trained admeasurers, at others it is
done by customhouse clerks temporarily detailed for the purpose.
The rational way to meet the situation would be to group ship
building plants into districts for the purpose regardless of customs
district lines, and create a small trained force to deal with the
matter of admeasurement and also with the matter of load lines
on which action can not be much longer deferred.
Motor Boats.
The act of June 7, 1918, requiring the numbering of undocu
mented motor boats will take effect December 7, 1918, but under
war powers exercised by the Treasury and Navy Departments the
regulations of the Bureau of Navigation at important seaports
are already to an extent in effect. The act serves to identify
small boats as automobiles are identified, and where the States
have laws upon the subject satisfactory cooperation has been
arranged. When the law is in full operation its benefits to all
will be manifest. Incidentally, it is serving to render more
workable some of the provisions of the internal revenue tax act
which impose taxes on water transportation. The Bureau of
Navigation and the Bureau of Internal Revenue have agreed on
a mutually satisfactory way in which the motor vessels of the
former shall cooperate in the collection of taxes by the latter
while these vessels are performing their customary work.
CONCLUSION.
The foregoing is respectfully commended to your attention and
to that of Congress.
Respectfully,
W illiam C. R e d f ie l d ,
Secretary.
148
INDEX
Page.
Aberdeen, Md., towers for ordnance te s t__
119
Accidents, vessels.......................................... 8,117,138
lives lo st.................................................. 8,117,138,144
Acids, production and capacity, m anufactur
ing establishm ents.....................................
94
Acoustics and sound, studies.............................
74
Adm easurem ent of v essels................................
147
A dvertising, proposals for materials and sup
plies...............................................................
41
Aeronautical research..........................................
66
Ages, pensioners, records....................................
9$
registrants, transcripts.....................................
96
A griculture Departm ent, cooperation of Com
merce D epartm en t................................... 58,104
A id s to navigation, A la s k a .................................
112
appropriations and expenditures............. 19,20,24
Caribbean Sea, national security and de
fense fu n d .....................................................
29
im provem ent of apparatus and equip
m en t.......................................................... 113,118
N avassa Island, W est Indies, light station
established.....................•............................
no
n u m ber................................................................
112
Potom ac R iver, funds needed........................
118
Airplane-engine laboratory, Standards B u
reau................................................................
12
A irplane power plants, research w o rk ...........
68
Airplanes, studies............................................ 66,67,68
A laska, aids to n avigation ..................................
112
D utch Harbor, purchase recom m ended---44
fisheries................................................................
107
fur-bearing animals, m in or.............................
109
fur seals............................................................ 107,108
K etchikan, lighthouse depot.......................
116
seal and salmon fisheries, expenditures__
18,
P age.
A p p r o p r ia tio n s
and
e x p e n d itu r e s ,
a n d D o m e s tic C o m m e r c e
F o r e ig n
B u r e a u ...............
15,
2 1 ,2 2 ,2 5 ,2 6
i n c r e a s e o f c o m p e n s a t i o n ..................................
L ig h th o u s e s ,
B u r e a u ..........................
s p e c i a l w o r k s .................................................
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
and
1 5 ,1 9 ,2 0 ,2 1
1 5 ,1 9 ,2 0 ,2 4 ,2 5 ,2 7
d e fe n s e
1 1 2 ,1 1 6 ,1 1 7 ,1 1 8
f u n d ....................
ix ,
i5 > 1 7 * 2 9 , 3 0 , 3 1 , 3 2
N a v ig a tio n
B u r e a u .......................
1 5 ,1 7 ,1 8 ,2 2 ,2 3 ,2 5 ,2 6
p r i n t i n g a n d b i n d i n g ....................................................
s e a l a n d s a lm o n
f i s h e r i e s , A l a s k a ___
1 5 ,3 7 ,3 8
1 8 ,2 1 ,2 3 ,2 7
S e c r e t a r y ’ s O f f i c e ............................................................
S t a n d a r d s B u r e a u ...................................
1 5 ,2 2 ,2 5
1 5 ,1 6 ,1 7 ,2 2 ,2 5 ,2 6
S te a m b o a t-I n s p e c tio n S e r v ic e . . . .
1 5 ,1 7 ,2 3 ,2 5 ,2 6
s u m m a r y ..............................................................................................
1 5 ,2 5
u n e x p e n d e d b a l a n c e s .............................................................
25
A r b itr a tio n
B oard , N e w
A d ju s tm e n t,
Y o rk
H arb or W age
C o m m is s io n e r
of
L ig h t
h o u s e s , D e p a r t m e n t 's r e p r e s e n t a t i v e .. .
115
c o o p e r a t i o n o f D e p a r t m e n t ............................................
96
A r c h iv e s b u ild in g
A r e a s , d is p u te d ,
f o r D e p a r t m e n t 's r e c o r d s .
E u ro p e
and
13
A fr ic a , t a b u la
t i o n o f d a t a ..............................................................................
A r n o ld , J u le a n ,
I n te r n a tio n a l C u sto m s
98
C on
f e r e n c e , S h a n g h a i ............................................................
51
A s s is t a n t t o S e c r e t a r y o f C o m m e r c e , p o s itio n
n e e d e d .........................................................................................
A tla n tic
in tra c o a sta l
w a te rw a y s,
14
d e v e lo p
m e n t ...............................................................................................
45
B a l a n c e o f t r a d e ................................................................................
48
B e a u fo rt,
N .
C .,
F is h e r ie s
B u rea u
s ta tio n
t r a n s f e r r e d t o N a v y .......................................................
B in d in g .
B lu e
See
W in g ,
10 2
P r in t in g a n d b in d in g .
F is h e r ie s
B u rea u
v e s s e l,
con
21,23,2:
d e m n e d a n d s o l d .............................................................
8
Fisheries Bureau; Lighthouses
Bureau.
Albatross, Fisheries Bureau vessel, service
in N a v y ........................................................
102
Allocation of m ilitary enlistm ents....................
96
A llo ys and metals, research w o rk .....................
79
A ltim eters, tests....................................................
67
American-Canadian Fisheries Conference.. . .
7
Am erican Chem ical Society, cooperation in
census of chemical im ports......................
49
Am erican R ed Cross, cooperation of D epart
m e n t............................................................ 96,102
Appointm ents. S e e Personnel.
Appropriations and expenditures.....................
14
Census B u reau .................................. 15,18,23,25,26
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ........... 15,21,23,25,26
commercial attach és.............................. 15,21,22,26
comparison w ith estim ates for 1920.............
28
disbursed b y authorized disbursing officers.
1s
disbursed on warrants on Treasurer of
U nited S ta te s ............................................. 21,25
Fisheries B ureau......................... 15,18,21,23,25,27
B o n d s , e x a m i n e d .............................................................................
46
See
also
L ib e rty
B ooks
L o a n , s u b s c r i p t i o n s .........................................
d o n a te d
b y
e m p lo y e e s
to
L ib r a r y
C o n g r e s s .....................................................................................
B ran ch
o ffic e s ,
m erce.
B r id g e p o r t,
F o r e ig n
See
and
D i s t r i c t o ffic e s .
C o n n .,
b ran ch
gauge
la b o r a to r y
e s t a b l i s h e d ........................................................................
B u i l d i n g , a r c h i v e s , fo r D e p a r t m e n t 's r e c o r d s .
S ta n d a rd s
B u rea u ,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
a d d it io n a l,
fo r
d e c e n n ia l
la b o ra to ry , S ta n d a r d s
1 2 ,1 4 ,1 0 0
B u
r e a u ........................................................................................
a llo tm e n ts
fro m
n a tio n a l s e c u r it y
f e n s e f u n d ....................................................
17
cen su s
w o r k ...................................................................................
a ir p la n e -e n g in e
70
13
aud
d e f e n s e f u n d ..........................................................................
B u ild in g s ,
42
D o m e s tic C o m
and
ia
de
1 1 ,1 7 ,3 1 ,3 2 ,1 0 9
C o a s t a n d G e o d e t i c S u r v e y n e e d s ...................................
to
F i s h e r i e s B u r e a u n e e d s .......................................................
11
s e a lin g
in d u s tr y ,
b y -p ro d u cts
t io n a l s e c u r it y a n d d e fe n s e
p la n t,
na
fu n d
149
«
4 3 ,4 4
of
10 9
INDEX.
IS«
Page.
Buildings, Foreign and Domestic Commerce
Bureau needs.......................................
10
Government-owned, for D epartm en t... 9,14
laboratories, Fisheries B ureau................. 11,14,106
occupied b y D epartm en t........................
9
power plant, Standards B ureau...........
14
radio laboratory, Standards B u reau .........
12
Standards Bureau needs..........................
11
Bureau of Mines, cooperation of D epartm ent.
52
Canadian Fisheries Conference. S e e American-Canad ian Fisheries Conference.
Cape Cod, D elaware, and R aritan Canals,
o p e r a tio n b y
C ed ar,
L ig h th o u s e s
G o v e r n m e n t ..................................
B u rea u
v e s s e l, p la c e d
45
in
c o m m i s s i o n ............................................................................
8
C e m e n t , t e s t s ........................................................................................
81
C e n s u s B u r e a u , a c id s , p r o d u c tio n a n d c a p a c
i t y , m a n u f a c t u r i n g e s t a b l i s h m e n t s ...........
94
a g e s o f p e n s i o n e r s , r e c o r d s ...............................................
98
a g e s o f r e g i s t r a n t s , t r a n s c r i p t s ...................................
95
a p p r o p r ia tio n s a n d e x p e n d it u r e s ..
1 5 ,1 8 ,2 3 ,2 5 ,2 6
b u i ld in g s fo r d e c e n n ia l c e n s u s w o r k —
1 2 ,1 4 , to o
c i t i e s , s t a t i s t i c s .............................................................................
9°
c le a r in g h o u s e fo r s t a t is t ic a l in fo r m a t io n . . .
93
coal
co n su m ed ,
d a ta
c o m p ile d
fo r
F u el
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n .................................................................
96
c o m m e r c i a l g r e e n h o u s e s , c e n s u s ..............................
93
c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s ................
92
c o t t o n a n d c o t t o n s e e d ..........................................................
91
d e a f - m u t e s , r e p o r t .....................................................................
92
d e n t a l g o l d , p r o d u c t i o n .....................................................
94
d e p e n d e n t,
d e fe c tiv e ,
and
d e lin q u e n t
c l a s s e s , r e p o r t .....................................................................
d is p u te d a r e a s , E u r o p e
98
a n d A fr ic a , ta b u la
t i o n o f d a t a .............................................................................
98
e l e c t r i c a l i n d u s t r i e s , 1 9 1 7 ..................................................
89
e n l i s t m e n t s , m i l i t a r y , a l l o c a t i o n .............................
96
e s t i m a t e s o f a p p r o p r i a t i o n s , 1 9 2 0 .............................
29
F o u r t e e n t h C e n s u s , b u i l d i n g s .........................
1 2 ,1 4 ,1 0 0
e s t i m a t e o f a p p r o p r i a t i o n ...........................................
29
l e g i s l a t i o n .....................................................................................
1 3 >99
p r e p a r a t i o n s ...............................................................................
98
t a b u l a t i n g e q u i p m e n t ....................................................
100
“ in te g r a tin g c o u n te r ,” ta b u la t in g d e v ic e . .
10 0
“ l i f e t a b l e s , ” m o r t a l i t y c o n d i t i o n s .......................
98
m a n u f a c t u r e s , r e p o r t s ..........................................................
88
m a r r i a g e a n d d i v o r c e s t a t i s t i c s ..................................
97
m e c h a n i c a l e q u i p m e n t ........................................................
99
m e c h a n i c a l l a b o r a t o r y w o r k ........................................
99
m ilit a r y
and
naval
s e r v ic e s ,
no
d e fe rr e d
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s .......................................................................
97
e m p l o y e e s e n l i s t e d a n d d r a f t e d ..........................
97
N e g r o e s , r e p o r t .............................................................................
92
o c c u p a t i o n s o f r e g i s t r a n t s , c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ___
94
O f f i c i a l R e g i s t e r o f U n i t e d S t a t e s ..........................
92
d i s c o n t i n u a n c e r e c o m m e n d e d ...............................
44
p e r s o n n e l .............................................................................................
10 0
p r i s o n e r s a n d j u v e n i l e d e l i n q u e n t s .......................
92
r e c e ip ts , n
s c e l l a n e o u s ........................................................
25
r e g i s t r a n t » , a g e s ...........................................................................
95
e s t i m a t e s ........................................................................................
95
r e l i g i o u s b o d i e s .............................................................................
92
s h i p b u i l d i n g c e n s u s ................................................................
89
s p e c ia l s ta tis tic s , n a t io n a l s e c u r it y a n d
de
f e n s e f u n d ......................................................................................
29
S t a t e i n s t i t u t i o n s , s t a t i s t i c a l d i r e c t o r y ............
98
Page.
Census Bureau, States, financial statistics__
91
sum m ary of work accom plished...................
88
tobacco, leaf........................................................
91
transportation b y w a ter..................................
88
travel expenses...................................................
7
unexpended balances....................................... 25,26
Virgin Islands census.......................................
97
vital statistics.....................................................
89
wages, railroad em ployees...............................
96
See also Personnel; P rintin g and binding.
Central and South Am erica, expenditures in
promoting com m erce..................... 15,21,22,26
Certificates, seamen, issued and rejected..................... 138
Charts, Tide Tables, Coast Pilots, and Inside
R oute Pilots, sales..................................... 25,40
Chem istry tests.......................
83
Chemicals. Sec Dyestuffs.
Clerks. See Personnel.
Cities, statistics......................................................
90
Cleveland, Ohio, branch gauge laboratory
established...................................................
70
Coal, consum ed......................................................
96
inspection..................................................
43
Coast and Geodetic Su rvey, Aberdeen, Md.,
towers for ordnance test..........................
119
appropriations and ex p en d itu res.. 15,21,23,25.26
building, national security and defense fund
11
buildings, occupied...........................................
9
need of suitable.......................................... 9,10, n
coast pilot w o rk .................................................
120
cooperation in war w o rk.............................. 119,120
cooperation w ith Standards B u reau.............
120
currents, observations......................................
124
estim ate of appropriations, 1920.....................
31
field w ork............................................................
120
geodesy.................................................................
125
h yd ro grap h y................................................... 121,125
instrum ent m akers, personnel needs....................... 133
launches, wire-drag......................................... 13,128
legislation, recen t..............................................
135
m agnetic observations......................................
125
m agnetic observatories....................................
125
office force, increase..........................................
13
personnel, m ilitary services........................ 119,136
needs....................................... 129,130,131,132,133
precise levels ru n ...............................................
125
receipts, m iscellaneous.....................................
25
sales of publications and ch arts.....................
40
seagoing vessels, addition al............................
13
seamen, enlistments and w ages................. 128,129
tidal observations..............................................
124
tide tables, preparation and production__
120
travel expenses...................................................
7
triangulation w o rk ............................................
125
unexpended balances.......................................
26
vessels..................................................... 8,13,121,122
loaned b y Philippine G overn m en t........... 8.121
loaned to N a v y ..............................................
119
seagoing, ad d itio n al......................................
13
su rveyin g..................................................... 125,127
war activities......................................................
119
wire-drag launches........................................... 13,128
su rveys.................................................. 119,123,125
See also Personnel; Printin g and binding.
Coast pi lot w o rk ....................................................
120
Coast Pilots, Inside Route Pilots, T id e Tables,
and Charts, s a le s ....................................... 25,40
INDEX.
Page.
C oke
oven.
R o b e rts
b y -p ro d u ct,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r i t y a n d d e f e n s e f u n d ............................
17
C o m m e r c e B u ild in g , G o v e r n m e n t-o w n e d . . . .
9 ,1 4
l e a s e ................................................................................................
10
n e e d s o f D e p a r t m e n t ..................................................
9 ,1 0
new
p l a n s n e c e s s a r y ....................................................
10
r e n t a l .............................................................................................
9
Sec
C o m m e r c e , fo r e ig n .
F o r e ig n a n d
D om es
tic C o m m e r c e B u r e a u .
C o m m e r c e R e p o r t s , p u b l i c a t i o n .........................
S ee
C o m m e r c ia l a g e n ts .
60
T r a d e c o m m is s io n e r s .
C o m m e r c ia l a tta c h é s , a p p r o p r ia tio n s a n d
p e n d i t u r e s ..............................................................
ex
1 5 ,2 1 ,2 2 ,2 6
c h a n g e s i n s e r v i c e ................................................................: .
50
c l e r k s , i n c r e a s e ...................................................................
13
i n s u f f i c i e n t s a l a r i e s ..................................................
63
c o o p e r a t i o n i n w a r w o r k ............................................
4 7 ,5 0 ,5 1
i n c r e a s e ..........................................................................................
1 3 ,5 1 ,6 1
i n s u f f i c i e n t a p p r o p r i a t i o n s ...................................
63
s u m m a r y o f a c t i v i t i e s ...............................................
50
C o m m e r c ia l E c o n o m y
B o a r d , c o o p e r a tio n
of
D e p a r t m e n t ...............................................................
93
C o m m e r c i a l p l o t s , G e r m a n ............... ..................................
C o m m is s io n e r o f L ig h th o u s e s ,
re p r e s e n ta tiv e
on
50
D e p a r t m e n t ’s
N ew
Y o rk
H a rb or
W a g e A d j u s t m e n t B o a r d .....................................
115
C o n d e m n e d p r o p e r t y , s a l e s .................................................
43
C o n f e r e n c e , A m e r i c a n - C a n a d i a n F i s h e r i e s ----C o n t r a c t s e x a m i n e d ..........................................................
7
45
C o n v e n tio n s a n d m e e tin g s , tr a v e l e x p e n s e s . . .
C o tto n a n d c o tto n
C o u n c il
of
s e e d , r e p o r t s ...........................
N a tio n a l
D e fe n s e ,
7
91
c o o p e r a tio n
of
D e p a r t m e n t ................................................ 5 1 , 5 2 , 9 3 1 9 5 - 9 6
C r o s s R i p L i g h t V e s s e l N o . 6 , M a s s . , l o s t ...............8 , 1 1 7
C u r le w , F is h e r ie s B u r e a u
v e s s e l, c o n d e m n e d
a n d s o l d ......................................................................................
8
C u r r e n t s , o b s e r v a t i o n s ...............................................................
124
D e a f - m u t e s , r e p o r t .........................................................................
9?
D e c e n n ia l c e n s u s .
See F o u r t e e n t h
C en su s.
D e e d s e x a m i n e d ................................................................................
46
D e f e r r e d c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s .............................................................
37/97
D e la w a r e ,
R a rita n ,
and
C ap e
Cod
C a n a ls ,
o p e r a t i o n b y G o v e r n m e n t ...................................
45
D e n t a l g o l d , p r o d u c t i o n ..........................................................
94
D e p e n d e n t , d e fe c t iv e , a n d d e l in q u e n t c la s s e s ,
r e p o r t ............................................................................................
D ia m o n d
Sh oal
L ig h t
V essel N o .
98
7 1 , N . C .,
s u n k ...................................................................................................8 , 1 1 7
D is b u r s e m e n ts .
See
A p p r o p r ia tio n s a n d
ex
p e n d itu r e s .
D is p u te d
areas,
E u ro p e
and
A fr ic a ,
t a b u la
t i o n o f d a t a .............................................................................
98
D i s t r i c t o f f i c e s , a i d i n l i c e n s i n g e x p o r t s ..................
59
c o o p e r a t i o n i n w a r w o r k ...................................................
59
f o r e i g n - t r a d e a c t i v i t i e s .........................................................
60
h e a d q u a r t e r s f o r c o m m e r c i a l v i s i t o r s .................
59
n e e d s .........................................................................................................
62
s a m p l e s , e x h i b i t s ........................................................................
59
s u m m a r y o f w o r k . ...................................................................
59
t r a d e - m a r k i n f o r m a t i o n ......................................................
5-S
t r a d i n g - w i t h - t h e - e n e m y a c t , a c t i v i t i e s ............
59
t r a v e l i n g c o m m e r c i a l a g e n t s n e e d e d .....................
62
D i v o r c e , s t a t i s t i c s ...........................................................................
97
D r a f t a g e , e m p l o y e e s o f D e p a r t m e n t .......................
37
D r a f t , m i l i t a r y , n o e x e m p t i o n s c l a i m e d ................
37
D u tc h
H arb or,
A la s k a ,
p u rch ase
reco m
m e n d e d .......................................................................................
44
151
Page.
Dyestuffs, census of chem ical im ports............
49
; Eastland disaster, delayed prosecution...........
9
Editorial division. Foreign and Domestic
Commerce, Bureau, sum m ary ol w ork.
60
; Education Bureau, cooperation of D epart
m e n t....................................................... 60,96
Electrical industries. 1 9 1 7 ...........................
89
Electrical research and testin g ....................
75
Em ergency Fleet Corporation, cooperation of
D epartm en t..........................................
96
Em ployees. See Personnel.
Enlistm ents, m ilitary, allocation...............
96
;
seam en.............................................................. 128,129
j Estim ates, appropriations, 1920..................
27
;
Fourteenth Cen sus.....................................
29
Exem ptions from m ilitary d u ty not claimed
37
Expenditures. S e e Appropriations and ex
j
penditures.
Expenses, trav e l..............................................
7
| E xp ort and import statistics, balance of tra d e .
48
national security and defense fu n d .........
15
E xp ort control, national security and defense
fluid...............................................................
15
Exports Control Comm ittee, cooperation of
D epartm ent.................................................
59
Fabrics, production, national security and
defense fu n d ................................................
17
Far-eastern d iv isio n .............................................
58
Federal Reserve Board, cooperation of D e
partm en t......................................................
96
Federal Trade Commission, cooperation of
D epartm ent...................................................94/96
Fees, navigation, receipts................................. 25,145
Financial statistics, cities...................................
90
S ta tes...................................................................
91
Fines, navigation, receipts................................ 25,145
Fish culture. Sec Fisheries Bureau.
Fish hatcheries......................................................
102
appropriations and expenditures..................
18
Fish H aw k, Fisheries Bureau vessel, service
in N a v y ........................................................
102
Fisheries, American-Canadian Conference—
7
Fisheries Bureau, A laska fisheries...................
107
Albatross, vessel, service in N a v y ................
102
appropriations and expenditures............ 15,18,
21/ 23 / 25, 27
Beaufort, N. C., station transferred to N a v y
103
Blue W ing, vessel, condemned and s o ld .. . .
8
building, need of suitable................................
11
buildings, occupied...........................................
9
Woods Hole, Mass., used by R ed Cross
and Y . M. C. A ...........................................
102
cooperation w ith other organizations...........
104
Curlew, vessel, condemned and so ld ...........
8
estimates of appropriations, 1920...................
31
fish hatcheries....................................................
102
appropriations and expenditures...............
18
Fish H aw k, vessel, service in N a v y ............
102
fishskins, value for leath er.............................
105
food fishes, consum ption.................................
104
propagation....................................................
102
supply, national security and defense
fund...............................................................
18
fur-bearing animals, minor, A la s k a ..............
no
fur seals............................................................ 107,108
Gram pus, vessel, condemned and so ld ........
INDEX.
152
Page.
F is h e r ie s B u r e a u , H a lc y o n , v e s s e l, s e r v ic e in
N a v y ............................................................ 8,102
8, 102
l a b o r a t o r y - a q u a r i u m ..................................................... , 1n1 , 1144
I06
106
11; II7
leather, aquatic sources....................................
105
IQS
8
m otor boats operated............................
laboratory, fisheries p rod ucts.........................
n a tio n a l s e c u r ity a n d d e fe n s e fu n d .
P h a la r o p e , F is h e r ie s B u r e a u v e s s e l, s e r v ic e
in
102
109
N a v y ................................................
P r i b i l o f I s l a n d s , r e v e n u e s ..........................
u t iliz in g w a s t e p r o d u c t s of s e a lin g in d u s
no
t r y ........................................................................
103
103
p r o d u c t s l a b o r a t o r y ....................................................
receipts, miscellaneous..........................
25
l8, 103
rescuing food fish ............................................. i8>103
18
n a t io n a l s e c u r ity a n d d e fe n se fu n d ,
III
s a la r ie s , in c r e a s e s n e e d e d in lo w e r g r a d e s ...
s e a l a n d s a lm o n fis h e r ie s , A l a s k a , e x p e n d i
t u r e s .................................................................... 1 8 , 2 1 , 2 3 , 2 7
s e a l-o il p la n t , n a t io n a l s e c u r i t y a n d d e fe n s e
f u n d ................................................................................
s e a lin g
in d u s tr y ,
b y -p ro d u cts
p la n t,
18
na
t i o n a l s e c u r i t y a n d d e f e n s e f u n d ............
no
t r a v e l e x p e n s e s .............................................................................
7
u n e x p e n d e d b a l a n c e s ...........................................................
27
v e s s e l s ...................................................................................................... 8 , 1 0 2
t r a n s f e r r e d t o N a v y ..........................................................
S ee also
10 2
P e r s o n n e l; P r in t i n g a n d b in d in g .
F i s h s k i u s , v a l u e f o r l e a t h e r .................................................
10 5
F l a g , S e r v i c e , D e p a r t m e n t ’ s ..............................................
37
Food
A d m in is t r a t io n , c o o p e r a tio n o f D e p a r t
m e n t .......................................................... 5 ° ! 5 6 , 8 3 , 9 3 , 9 6 - 1 0 4
F o o d f i s h e s , c o n s u m p t i o n .....................................................
104
p r o p a g a t i o n ......................................................................................
10 2
r e s c u i n g ..............................................................................................
1 8 ,1 0 3
n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y a n d d e f e n s e f u n d .................
18
s u p p ly , n a tio n a l s e c u r ity a n d d e fe n s e fu n d .
18
F o r e ig n
and
D o m e s tic
C om m erce
B u re au ,
a d d i t i o n a l s p a c e n e e d e d .........................................
10
a f t e r - w a r s e r v i c e ..........................................................................
63
A m e r ic a n C h e m ic a l S o c ie t y , c o o p e r a t io n in
c e n s u s o f c h e m i c a l i m p o r t s .................................
a p p r o p r ia tio n s a n d e x p e n d it u r e s ..
49
1 5 ,2 1 ,2 2 ,2 5 ,2 6
b a l a n c e o f t r a d e ...........................................................................
48
C o m m e r c e R e p o r t s , p u b l i c a t i o n ..............................
60
c o m m e r c i a l a t t a c h é s .....................................
1 3 ,4 7 . s o , 6 1 ,6 3
c o o p e r a t i o n i n w a r w o r k ...................................................
47,
4 8 ,3 0 / 5 1 .5 2 * 5 6 ,5 8 ,5 9
d e v e lo p in g tr a d e
b y
m o tio n
p ic tu r e s ,
e s ti
m a t e o f a p p r o p r i a t i o n ...............................................
29
d i s t r i c t o f f i c e s .................................................................................
59
d y e s t u f f s , c e n s u s o f c h e m i c a l i m p o r t s ...............
49
e d i t o r i a l d i v i s i o n , s u m m a r y o f w o r k ..................
60
e s t i m a t e s a n d a p p r o p r i a t i o n s , 1 9 2 0 .......................
29
e x p a n s i o n o f s e r v i c e ................................................................
61
e x p o r t c o n tr o l, n a tio n a l s e c u r it y a n d d e fe n s e
f u n d ................................................................................................
15
f a r - e a s t e r n d i v i s i o n ..................................................................
58
f o r e i g n - t a r i f f s d i v i s i o n ..........................................................
58
fo r e ig n -tr a d e
s ta tis tic s ,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
a n d d e f e n s e f u n d .............................................................
fu n d s fo r w o r k
29
a t c l o s e o f w a r ................................
1 3 ,6 1
G e r m a n t r a d e m e t h o d s .......................................................
48
im p o rt
and
exp o rt
s ta tis tic s ,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r i t y a n d d e f e n s e f u n d .....................................
15
i n d u s t r i a l s t a n d a r d s ................................................................
60
in la n d
w a te rw a y s,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
aud
d e f e n s e f u n d ..........................................................................
15
Page.
Foreign and Dom estic Commerce Bureau,
internal commerce statistics, no funds
for collecting................................................
62
investigations of foreign m arkets..............
52
parcel-post shipm ents......................................
62
publications............................ 4 9 , 5 3 /5 4 , 5 5 ,57,60,61
56
statistical d ivision.......................................
statistical studies for after-war trad e..........
60
sum m ary of w ork.........................................
47
trade commissioners, cooperation in war
w o rk .............................................................. 51,56
resident, needed in foreign countries.......
61
sum m ary of w o rk ..............................................
51
trade-marks, p rio rity.......................................
58
trade promotion, industrial stan d ard s........
60
unexpended balances..................................
26
S e e also Personnel; Printing and binding.
Foreign m arkets. S e e Foreign and Domestic
Commerce Bureau; Foreign trade.
Foreign-tariffs d ivisio n ........................................
58
Foreign trad e..........................................................
48
appropriations and expenditures....... 15,21,22,26
commercial readjustm ent................................
48
commissioners, resident, needed in foreign
countries......................................................
61
statistical studies for after-war tra d e ............
60
statistics, expenditure from national se
curity and defense fu n d ......................
29
Foundation for Promotion of Industrial
Peace, fund returned...........................
44
Fourteenth Census, buildings.................... 12,14,100
29
estim ate of appropriation..........................
legislation................................................
15,99
office room and storage space...................
100
preparations.................................................. 12,98
tabulating equipm en t................................
100
F ox, seal, and other skins, receipts from sales.
25
Fuel Adm inistration, cooperation of D epart
m e n t........................................................ 56,96
Fur-bearing animals, minor, A la s k a ..........
109
F u r seals, census.............................................
10S
in d u stry.........................................................
107
Gauges, m unitions m aster, standardization..
69
tests b y Standards B u reau .......................
70
Geodesy, Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ........
125
Geological Survey, cooperation of D epart
m e n t......................................
52,93,96,119
German commercial p lo ts.............................
50
“ German Foreign-Trade
Organizations,”
publication............................................
49
“ German Trade and th e W a r,” publication ..
49
German trade m eth ods.................................
48
Gold, dental, production..............................
94
Grampus, Fisheries Bureau vessel, con
demned and so ld .................................
8
Greenhouses, com m ercial.............................
93
Guaranteed standards in in d u stry.............
85
H alcyon, Fisheries Bureau vessel, service
in N a v y ................................................. 8,102
Half holiday, Saturday, throughout y e a r .. . .
37
H eat and tem perature, studies...................
78
H ousing Comm ittee, cooperation of Depart
m e n t.......................................................
96
H ydrography, Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y .. 121,125
Im port and export statistics, national se
cu rity and defense fund.....................
15
INDEX.
Page.
I m p o r t s a n d e x p o r t s , b a l a n c e o f t r a d e ..................
In c r e a s e o f c o m p e n s a tio n , a p p r o p r ia tio n
e x p e n d i t u r e s ........................................................
48
and
1 5 .1 9 ,2 0 ,2 1
I n d u s tr ia l P e a c e , F o u n d a tio n fo r P r o m o tio n ,
f u n d r e t u r n e d ......................................................................
I n d u s tr ia l
sta n d a rd s
fo r
c o n s t r u c tio n
t e r i a l s ............................................................................................
In la n d
w a te rw a y s,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
d e f e n s e f u n d ..........................................................................
" I n t e g r a t in g c o u n te r ,”
t a b u la tin g d e v ic e .. ..
I n te r io r
c o o p e r a tio n
D e p a rtm e n t,
In te r n a l- c o m m e r c e
s ta tis tic s ,
no
of
A ir c r a ft
C om
fu n d s
S t a n d a r d s ,”
15
81
100
5 2 ,9 3 ,9 6 ,2 1 9
fo r
c o l l e c t i n g ...................................................................................
"In te r n a tio n a l
60
and
I n s t r u m e n ts a n d m a te r ia ls , s ta n d a r d t e s t s . . .
m e r c e D e p a r t m e n t ....................................
44
m a
62
s p e c i
f i c a t i o n s ......................................................................................
8r
I n te r n a tio n a l C u s t o m s C o n fe r e n c e , S h a n g h a i,
J u le a n
A r n o ld ,
c o m m e r c ia l
a tta c h é
of
D e p a r t m e n t , c h a i r m a n ...........................................
51
I n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f f o r e i g n m a r k e t s .................................
52
J o n e s , D r . E . L e s te r . S u p e r in te n d e n t of C o a s t
an d
G e o d e t ic
S u rvey,
c o m m is s io n e d
c o l o n e l ..........................................................................................
136
J u s t ic e D e p a r t m e n t , c o o p e r a tio n o f C o m m e r c e
D e p a r t m e n t ........................................................................ 9 6 , 1 1 4
K e t c h i k a n , l i g h t h o u s e d e p o t .............................................
L a b o r a t o r i e s , F i s h e r i e s B u r e a u ...........................
16
1 1 ,1 4 ,1 0 6
f i s h e r i e s p r o d u c t s ..................................................................
n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y a n d d e f e n s e f u t i d ..............
10 6
1 1 ,1 0 6
i n d u s t r i a l , S t a n d a r d s B u r e a u .....................................
82
m e c h a n i c a l . C e n s u s B u r e a u ...........................................
99
S ta n d a rd s
B u reau ,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
and
d e f e n s e f u n d ........................................................................
L a tin
A m e r ic a n d iv is io n , c o o p e r a tio n
in
1 1 ,1 7
w ar
w o r k ...............................................................................................
L a u n c h e s , w i r e - d r a g ..................................................................
47
1 3 ,2 2 8
L e a s e , C o m m e r c e B u i l d i n g ..................................................
10
L e a s e s e x a m i n e d ..............................................................................
46
L e a t h e r , a q u a t i c s o u r c e s .........................................................
10 5
v a l u e o f f i s h s k i n s ........................................................................
10 6
L e a v e s o f a b s e n c e g r a n t e d d u r i n g y e a r ..................... 3 5 , 3 6
L e g a l o p i n i o n s r e n d e r e d b y S o l i c i t o r .......................
L e g is la tio n , p r o p o s e d , a ffe c tin g
D e p a rtm e n t,
4 4 ,4 5
s t a t u s ........................................
r e c e n t, a ffe c tin g C o a s t a n d G e o d e t ic S u r v e y .
a f fe c tin g S t e a m b o a t- I n s p e c tio n S e r v i c e ..
L ib e rty L o a n
46
132
241
b o n d s , s u b s c r i p t i o n s ..........................
4 3 ,4 4
L i b r a r y , D e p a r t m e n t .................................................................
42
L i c e n s e s , e x a m i n e d .......................................................................
46
o f f i c e r s o f v e s s e l s ..........................................................................
238
L ife a n d p r o p e r ty s a v e d , L ig h th o u s e s B u re a u .
117
L i f e - s a v i n g a p p l i a n c e s , l i v e s s a v e d .............................
138
L i f e p r e s e r v e r s t e s t e d ..................................................................
138
" L i f e t a b l e s , ” m o r t a l i t y c o n d i t i o n s ..........................
98
L ig h th o u s e s
B u reau ,
a id s to n a v ig a tio n , a p
p r o p r i a t i o n s a n d e x p e n d i t u r e s ...............
1 9 ,2 0 ,2 4
a id s to n a v ig a t io n , C a r ib b e a n S e a , n a tio n a l
s e c u r i t y a n d d e f e n s e f u n d .....................................
im p r o v e m e n t
of
a p p a ra tu s
and
m e n t .........................................................................................
N avassa
Is la n d ,
W est
I n d ie s ,
29
e q u ip
lig h t
1 x 3 ,1 1 8
sta
t i o n e s t a b l i s h e d .................................................................
n u m b e r ..............................................................................................
113
212 ¡
*53
Page.
Lighthouses Bureau, appropriations and ex
penditures............................. 15, 19,20,24,25,27
appropriations for special w o rk s..2:2,116, x17,118
Cedar,' vessel, placed in commission.............
8
x16
construction w o rk .............................................
cooperation w ith other Governm ent organ
izations...................................................... 113,115
Cross R ip L igh t Vessel No. 6, Mass., lo s t.. 8,117
depot, third lighthouse district, national
security and defense fu n d ........................
29
Diamond Shoal L igh t Vessel No. 71, N. C.,
su n k .............................................................. 8,117
estimates of appropriations, 1920...................
28
increased work due to w a r..............................
114
inspections..........................................................
116
K etchikan, depot..............................................
xx6
Navassa Island, W est Indies, light station
established...................................................
113
personnel.............................................................. 36,112
Portsm outh, V a., d epo t..................................
nS
receipts, miscellaneous.....................................
25
retirem ent of superannuated em ployees.. 36,117
salaries, increases........................................... 115,117
officers and crews of vessels..................... 115,117
sale of publications, legislative au th o rity ..
117
saving of life and property..............................
116
Staten Island, naval base................................
114
stations transferred to N a v y ..........................
113
storm dam age to p rop erty..............................
116
sum m ary of w ork..............................................
112
“ superintendent of lighthouses,” designa
tion changed from “ lighthouse inspecto r” ................................................................
117
Tom pkinsville, N . Y ., d ep o t.........................
116
travel allowance and subsistence, teachers
of children of lighthouse keepers....................... 117
unexpended balances.......................................
27
vessels................................................... 8,1x3,115,117
S e e also Personnel; Printing and binding.
Lights. S e c A ids to navigation.
Lives lost, accidents, vessels................ 8,117,138,144
Magnetic observations.........................................
125
Mailing lists, D epartm ent’s ................................
41
Manufactures, reports..........................................
88
Marine sendees, D epartm en t's..........................
8
Marriage and divorce, statistics.........................
97
Master gauges, m unitions, standardization . . .
69
M ateríais, advertisem ent of proposals...............
41
miscellaneous, measurements and investi
gations..........................................................
82
Mechanical laboratory, Census Bureau.............
99
Meetings and conventions, travel expenses . . .
7
Metallurgical work, national security and de
fense fu n d ....................................................
17
Standards B u reau .............................................
79
Metals and alloys, research w o rk......................
79
Metric system, literature.....................................
85
use b y W ar D epartm en t.................................
85
M ilitary services, Census em ployees.................
97
Coast and Geodetic Survey employees. 119,121,136
D epartm ent’s em ployees................................
37
Minerals and Derivatives, Joint Information
Board, cooperation of D epartm ent........
96
M i seel laneous recei p ts ..........................................
25
INDEX.
154
Page.
Motion pictures, estim ate of appropriation for
developing trad e........................................
29
Motor boats, cooj>cration in collecting internalrevenue ta x e s..............................................
147
number of undocum ented...............................
147
operated b y Fisheries B u reau .......................
8
Motor vehicles, D epartm ent’s ...........................
41
Munitions, gauges tested .....................................
70
master gauges, standardization.....................
69
National A dvisory Com m ittee on Aero
nautics; cooperation w ith Coast and
Geodetic S u r v e y ........................................
120
cooperation with Standards B ureau...............66,67
National Electrical Safety C ode........................
77
National security and defense fund, allot
ments and expenditures...........................
11,
15,17,18,21,29,30,31,32,106,110,116
Navassa Island, W est Indies, light station es
tablished......................................................
113
N avigation Bureau, admeasurement of vessels, 14 7
appropriations and expenditures.................
15,
1 7 ,1 8 ,2 2 ,2 3 ,2 5 ,2 6
e s tim a te s of
a p p r o p r ia tio n s ,
1 9 2 0 ...........................
m e r c h a n t m a r i n e , t o t a l A m e r i c a n ..................
m o to r b o a ts ,
c o o p e r a tio n
in
c o lle c tin g
30
1 4 3 ,1 4 4
in
t e r n a l - r e v e n u e t a x e s ...................................................
147
n u m b e r i n g o f u n d o c u m e n t e d ................................
147
n a v i g a t i o n l a w s , e n f o r c e m e n t .....................................
14 6
e x p e n d i t u r e s .....................................................................
n e w v e s s e l,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
and
1 7 ,2 2 ,2 6
d e fe n s e
f u n d ................................................................................................
30
o v e r c r o w d i n g o f v e s s e l s , p r e v e n t i o n ....................
14 6
e x p e n d i t u r e s .....................................................................
1 7 ,2 3 ,2 6
p e r s o n n e l , m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e s ...........................................
r a d i o c o m m u n i c a t i o n ............................................................
r e c e ip ts fr o m
d u t i e s , f e e s , a n d f i n e s ..................
14 5
145
2 5 ,1 4 5
r e c e i p t s , m i s c e l l a n e o u s ........................................................
25
s h i p p i n g c o m m i s s i o n e r s .....................................................
14 5
u n e x p e n d e d b a l a n c e s ............................................................
26
v e s s e l s .....................................................................................................
8
w ir e le s s - c o m m u n ic a tio n
la w s , e n fo r c e m e n t,
e x p e n d i t u r e s .......................................................
See also
P e r s o n n e l;
P r in tin g
and
1 7 ,2 2 ,2 3 ,2 6
b in d in g .
N a v i g a t i o n f e e s a n d f i n e s ....................................................
N a v i g a t i o n l a w s , e n f o r c e m e n t .........................................
e x p e n d i t u r e s ...........................................................................
2 5 ,1 4 5
14 6
1 7 ,2 2 ,2 6
N a v y D e p a r t m e n t , c o o p e r a tio n o f C o m m e r c e
D e p a rtm e n t.
4 7 ,5 1 ,5 2 ,1 0 2 ,1 1 3 ,1 1 4 ,1 1 9 ,1 2 1 ,1 3 9
N e g r o e s , r e p o r t ......................................................................
N ew
Y o rk
92
H a r b o r W a g e A d ju s tm e n t B o a rd ,
C o m m is s io n e r o f L ig h t h o u s e s r e p r e s e n t
i n g D e p a r t m e n t ...............................................................
115
c o o p e r a t i o n o f D e p a r t m e n t ..........................................
96
N ew
Y o rk ,
N . Y .,
b ran ch
g a u g e la b o r a to r y
e s t a b l i s h e d ..............................................................................
70
Occupations of registrants, classification........
94
Official Register of United States, discontinu
ance recom m ended....................................
44
prepared and publish ed..................................
92
Opinions, num ber rendered b y S o licito r.......
46
Optical glass, production, national security
17
and defense fu n d .......................................
Optical instruments and light, studies...........
70
Overcrowding of vessels, prevention...............
146
expenditures................................................. 17,23,26
Page.
Parcel-post shipm ents..........................................
62
Passengers carried on vessels.............................
138
Pensioners, ages.....................................................
98
Personnel, assistant to Secretary of Commerce,
position needed...........................................
14
Census B u reau ...................................................
100
changes during y e a r..........................................
33
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y ........... 1 4 , 131,132,133
commercial attaches.........................................
13
clerks.................................................................
13
insufficient appropriations..........................
63
deferred classifications.....................................
37
employees, b y bureaus and services............. 32,33
draft age...........................................................
37
hydrographic and geodetic engineers, ad
ditional .........................................................
130
leaves of absence during y e a r........................... 35,36
Lighthouses B u reau ...........................36 ,112,115,117
war-risk insurance, employees trans
ferred to m ilitary services........................
115
m ilitary draft, no exemptions claim ed........
37
m ilitary services........................ 37» 115,119» *36,145
promotion of employees, D epartm ent’s
p o licy ............................................................
34
retirem ent of superannuated................. 36,117,133
salaries, average.................................................
37
Census B u reau ................................................
100
Coast and Geodetic S u rve y ............... 131,132,133
entrance, inadequate..................... 35» 3 7 >*00,133
Fisheries B u reau ............................................
nr
increase of $120 granted................................
36
Lighthouses B u reau .................................. 115,117
need for increases............... 35»37»63,100, i n , 133
Solicitor’s o ffice .............................................
46
Steam boat-Inspection S ervice....................
141
seamen, enlistments and w ages................. 128,129
Steam boat-Inspection Service.............. 13» 137» 141
superannuation......................................... 36,117.133
tem porary transfers to W ar and N a v y De
partm en ts............................................. 32,113,121
transfers from other departm ents..................
34
travel allowance................................................. 7,117
wom en, appointm ent............................................... 37
Phalarope, Fisheries Bureau vessel, service in
N a v y .............................................................
102
Philippine Governm ent, vessels loaned to
Coast aud Geodetic S u r v e y .....................
8
Port Facilities Commission, cooperation of
D epartm en t.................................................
96
Portsm outh, V a., lighthouse d ep o t.................
118
Potom ac R iver, aids to navigation, funds
needed...........................................................
118
Precise levels, w ork of Coast and Geodetic
S u r v e y .........................................................
125
Pribilof Islands, revenues...................................
109
sealing industry, utilizing waste p ro d u cts..
no
Printing and binding, advertisem ent of pro
posals............................................................
41
allotm ent and expenditures................ 15,25,37,38
Coast and Geodetic Su rvey, sales of publi
cations and ch a rts......................................
40
estimates of appropriations for fiscal year
1920................................................................
32
m ailing lists........................................................
41
publication w o rk ............................................... 39,40
INDEX.
P age.
P r in tin g a n d
b in d in g , p u b lic a tio n s , d is t r ib u
41
t i o n .................................................................................................
i s s u e d .................................................................................................. 3 9 > 40
4°> i r 7
s a l e s ...................................................................................................
s t a t i o n e r y , e t c . , d i s t r i b u t i o n ........................................
42
v o l u m e a n d c o s t ...........................................................................
37
P r is o n e r s a n d ju v e n ile d e lin q u e n ts , r e p o r t .. .
92
P r is o n s a n d
P r is o n
L a b o r , N a tio n a l C o m m it
t e e , c o o p e r a t i o n o f D e p a r t m e n t ............ .. ..
P ro m o tin g
com m erce,
C e n tra l
and
A m e r i c a , e x p e n d i t u r e s ............................
P r o m o tio n of
e m p lo y e e s .
96
S o u th
1 5 ,2 1 ,2 2 ,2 6
D e p a r t m e n t ’s
p o l
34
i c y ...............................................................................................
P ro m o tio n
of
I n d u s tr ia l
P eace,
F o u n d a tio n
f o r , f u n d r e t u r n e d ..........................................................
44
P r o p e r t y s a v e d ...................................................................................
116
P r o p o s a l s f o r s u p p l i e s ...............................................................
43
P r o v o s t M a r s h a l G e n e r a l’s O ffic e , c o o p e r a tio n
of
9 4 -9 5
D e p a r t m e n t .................................................................
P u b lic u tilitie s , re s e a rc h w o r k a n d
P u b lic a tio n s ,
D iv is io n
o f.
Sec
te s t in g ...
76
P r in tin g a n d
b in d in g .
P u r c h a s e s , t y p e w r i t e r s .............................................................
43
R a d i o c o m m u n i c a t i o n ...............................................................
145
R a d i o l a b o r a t o r y .............................................................................
12
R a d i o w o r k .............................................................................................
12
R a ilr o a d
A d m in is tr a tio n ,
c o o p e r a tio n
of D e
p a r t m e n t ...................................................................................
ji> 5 2
d e v e l o p m e n t o f i n t e r n a l w a t e r w a y s .....................
45
o p e r a tio n o f C a p e C o d , D e la w a r e , a n d R a r i
t a n C a n a l s ................................................................................
R a ilr o a d
W age
C o m m is s io n ,
c o o p e r a tio n
45
of
D e p a r t m e n t ..........................................................................
R a rita n ,
C ape
C od,
o p e r a tio n b y
and
D e la w a r e
96
C a n a ls ,
G o v e r n m e n t ...................................
45
R e c e i p t s , m i s c e l l a n e o u s ............................................................
25
s a le s ,
ch a rts
and
p u b lic a tio n s ,
C oast
and
G e o d e t i c S u r v e y ..............................................................
40
p u b l i c a t i o n s o f D e p a r t m e n t ....................................
t o n n a g e d u t i e s , f e e s , a n d f i n e s ................................
4c
2 5 .1 4 5
R e d C r o s s , A m e r ic a n , c o o p e r a tio n o f D e p a r t
m e n t ............................................................................................
R e g is te r , O ffic ia l, o f U n ite d S t a t e s .
See
9 6 ,1 0 2
O ffi
c ia l R e g is te r .
R e g i s t r a n t s , a g e s , t r a n s c r i p t s ............................................
95
e s t i m a t e s ..............................................................................................
95
R e l i g i o u s b o d i e s , r e p o r t ...........................................................
R e n t , e s t i m a t e s o f a p p r o p r i a t i o n s , 1 9 2 0 ..................
p a id b y
D e p a r t m e n t ..............................................................
92
28
9 ,1 5
R e p r e s e n ta t iv e s , D e p a r tm e n t’s, m e e tin g s a n d
c o n v e n t i o n s , t r a v e l e x p e n s e s .............................
7
R e s e a r c h w o r k , D e p a r t m e n t ’ s l i b r a r y ....................
42
R e tir e m e n t, e m p lo y e e s o f L ig h th o u s e S e r v ic e .
36
c o m m is s io n e d
o ffic e r s , C o a s t a n d
G e o d e t ic
S u r v e y .........................................................................................
133
R o b e r t s b y -p r o d u c t c o k e o v e n , n a tio n a l s e c u r
i t y a n d d e f e n s e f u n d ....................................................
17
S a l a r i e s , a v e r a g e , e m p l o y e e s ..............................................
37
C e n s u s B u r e a u ..............................................................................
10 0
C o a s t a n d G e o d e t i c S u r v e y .............................
1 3 1 ,1 3 2 ,1 3 3
e n t r a n c e , i n a d e q u a t e ....................................... 3 5 , 3 7 » 1 0 0 , 1 3 3
F i s h e r i e s B u r e a u ........................................................................
n o
i n c r e a s e o f $ 1 2 0 i n a d e q u a t e ..............................................
37
L i g h t h o u s e s B u r e a u .........................................................
n e e d f o r i n c r e a s e s ..........................
115 » x x 6
3 5 > 3 7 > 6 3 ,1 0 0 , 1 3 3 , 1 4 1
S o l i c i t o r ’ s o f f i c e .............................................................................
46
155
Page.
Salaries, Steam boat-Inspection Service........
141
Sales, charts and publications, Coast and
Geodetic S u rvey.................................
40
condemned property of D epartm ent.........
43
miscellaneous...................................................... 25,43
publications and charts, Coast and Geo
detic S u rvey........................................
40
publications, D epartm ent’s ..................... 40,41,117
Lighthouses Bureau, legislative authority
117
Salmon and seal fisheries, Alaska, expendi
tures................................................... 18,21,23,27
Saturday', half holiday throughout year.........
37
Seal and salmon fisheries, Alaska, expendi
tures................................................... 18,21,23,27
Seal, fox, and other skins, receipts from sales..
25
Seal-oil plant, national security' and defense
fund...............................................................
18
Seamen, certificates issued and rejected...........
138
enlistments and wages.................................. 128,129
Secretary'^ Office, appropriations and ex
penditures.............................................. 15,22,25
estimates of appropriations, 1920...................
28
receipts, miscellaneous.....................................
25
unexpended balances.......................................
25
Service Flag, D epartm ent’s ...............................
37
Scales, m ine and railroad,track.........................
73
Shipbuilding census.............................................
88
Shipping Board, cooperation of D epartm ent.
47,
51,52,56,58,93,96,11s ,140
vessels ow n ed ................................................. 143,144
Shipping Comm issioners....................................
145
Soldiers’ needs, cooperation of D ep a rtm en t..
84
Solicitor, sm all salaries of attorneys.................
46
sum m ary of w o rk ............................................. 4 5 »46
Sound and acoustics, studies.............................
74
South and Central Am erica, expenditures in
promoting com m erce..................... 15,21,22,26
Standardization, m unitions master gouges...
69
timepieces...........................................................
74
Standards Bureau, acoustics and sound,
studies..........................................................
74
aeronautical research........................................
66
airplane-engine laboratory'....... .....................
12
airplane power p lan ts......................................
68
airplanes, studies......................................... 66,67,68
alloys and metals, research w o rk ..................
79
altimeters, tests.................................................
67
appropriations and e x p en d itu res... . 15,22,25,26
building, national security and defense fund 11,17
power p la n t....................................................
14
radio laboratory.............................................
12
buildings occupied............................................
9
cement tests........................................................
81
chem istry tests..................................................
83
cooperation in war w ork.............................. 63,67,83
electric light and power service, stu d ie s....
76
electrical research and testin g........................
75
estimates of appropriations........................ 19» 20,30
fabrics, production, national security and
defense fund................................................
17
functions..............................................................
65
gas service, studies............................................
76
guaranteed standards in in d u stry................
85
heat and temperature investigations...........
78
heating service, studies....................................
76
instrum ents and m aterials, standards tests
81
INDEX.
156
Page.
S ta n d a rd s
B u re au ,
S t a n d a r d s ,"
la b o r a to r y ,
“ In te r n a tio n a l
A ir c r a ft
s p e c i f i c a t i o n s ...................................
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
and
81
d e fe n s e
f u n d ................................................................................................
1 2 .1 7
c o n s t r u c t i o n ................................................................................
82
m a t e r ia ls , m is c e lla n e o u s , m e a s u r e m e n t s a n d
i n v e s t i g a t i o n s ...................................................
82
m e t a l l u r g i c a l w o r k ...................................................................
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
m e ta ls a n d
and
d e fe n s e
a llo y s , re s e a rc h
f u n d ...........
79
17
w o r k ..........................
79
m e t r i c s y s t e m .................................................................................
85
m u n itio n s m a s te r g a u g e s , s ta n d a r d iz a tio n .
69
o p t ic a l g la s s ,
p r o d u c tio n , n a tio n a l s e c u r ity
a n d d e f e n s e f u n d ............................................................
17
o p t i c a l w o r k .....................................................................................
70
p o w e r - p l a n t b u i l d i n g . ..........................................................
14
p u b lic u tilitie s , re s e a rc h w o r k a n d t e s t in g ..
76
r a d i o l a b o r a t o r y b u i l d i n g .................................................
12
r a d i o w o r k ..........................................................................................
12
r e c e i p t s , m i s c e l l a n e o u s .........................................................
25
R o b e rts
b y -p ro d u ct
coke
oven,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r i t y a u d d e f e n s e f u n d .....................................
s c a le s ,
m in e
and
r a ilr o a d -tr a c k ,
17
in v e s tig a
t i o n .................................................................................................
73
s c o p e o f w o r k ...................................................................................
65
s o l d i e r s ' n e e d s , c o o p e r a t i o n ............................................
84
s o u n d a n d a c o u s t i c s , s t u d i e s ........................................
74
s t a n d a r d s i n d e n s i t y ..............................................................
85
s t r e e t r a i l w a y s e r v i c e , s t u d i e s .....................................
76
s u g a r , s t a n d a r d t e s t s ..............................................................
83
t e l e p h o n e s e r v i c e , s t u d i e s .................................................
76
t e m p e r a t u r e a n d h e a t i n v e s t i g a t i o n s ..................
78
th e r m it e
and
in v e s tig a tio n ,
n a tio n a l
s e c u r ity
d e f e n s e f u n d .............................................................
17
t i m e p i e c e s , t e s t s ...........................................................................
74
u n e x p e n d e d b a l a n c e s ............................................................
26
S ec also
P e r s o n n e l; P r in t i n g a n d b in d in g .
S t a n d a r d s i n d e n s i t y ...................................................................
S ta te
D e p a r t m e n t , c o o p e r a tio n
S ta te
i n s t i t u t i o n s , s t a t i s t i c a l d i r e c t o r y .................
85
of C om m erce
D e p a r t m e n t ..................................................................
S 1 .5 2 .5 S
Staten Island, N . Y . , n av al base at light
house d epo t.................................................
98
114
States, financial statistics.
91
S t a t i o n e r y s u p p l i e s , d i s t r i b u t i o n .............................
42
Statistical division, cooperation in war w ork.
sum m ary of w o r k ............................................
47
56
Steamboat-Inspection Service, accidents on
vessels...........................................................
138
appropriations and expenditures. 15,17,23,25,26
certificates of service and efficiency issued
and rejected...............................................
138
coooeration in war w ork..................................
138
efficiency of service...........................................
141
estimates of appropriations, 1920.......................
30
interned enem y vessels....................................
X40
legislation, recent..............................................
14*
licenses issued....................................................
138
life preservers tested.........................................
138
life-saving appliances, lives saved .................
138
lives lost and saved ...........................................
138
organization........................................................
x.37
passengers carried on vessels..........................
138
personnel, addition al.............................. X3,137.140
receipts, m iscellaneous.....................................
25
Page.
Steam boat-Inspection Service, salaries, increases..........................................................
141
steel plates for m arine boiler construction,
in spected ...............................................
138
sum m ary of ac tivitie s......................................
137
unexpended balances.......................................
26
vessels, boilers, engines, and machinery,
designs approved.......................................
138
inspected and certificated............................
137
See also Personnel; Printin g and binding.
Stock and shipping section, sum m ary of work
42
Sugar, standard tests...........................................
83
Superannuation and retirem ent............. 36.117,133
Supplies D ivision, sum m ary of w o r k ..............
43
Supplies, expen d itu res........................................
43
proposals issued.................................................
43
Tanners’ Council, cooperation of Departm ent. 56,96
Tariff Commission, cooperation of D epart
m en t............................................................. 57;58
Tem perature and heat, stu d ie s.........................
78
Tenders, lighthouse. Sec Vessels.
Textile Alliance, cooperation of D epartm ent.
56
Therm ite investigation, national security and
defense fu n d ................................................
17
Thrift and W ar-Savings Stam ps, purchases. 43,44
Tidal observations................................................
124
Tide Tables, Charts, Coast Pilots, and Inside
R oute Pilots, sales............................................
40
Tide Tables, preparation and p rod u ctio n .. . .
120
Timepieces, tests...................................................
74
Tobacco, leaf, statistics.......................................
91
Tom pkinsviile, N. Y ., lighthouse depot,
alterations, national security and de
fense fu n d ....................................................
116
Tonnage, Am erican merchant m arine......... 143,144receipts from d ues.............................................
25
Trade commissioners, cooperation in war
w o rk .............................................................. 51,56
resident, needed in foreign countries....................... 61
sum m ary of w o rk ..............................................
51
Trade-marks, Am erican, German attem pts to
register in foreign countries...................
50
priority, information furnished....................
58
Trade promotion, industrial standards for
construction m aterials..............................
60
Transportation b y water, report.....................
88
Travel allowance................................................... 7,117
Treasury D epartm ent, cooperation of Com
merce D epartm en t................................. 94.114
Triangulation, work of Coast and Geodetic
122
S u r v e y ..........................................................
T ypew riter purchases..........................................
43
Unexpended balances..........................................
25
Vessels, ad m easurem en t....................................
147
Albatross, service in N a v y ..............................
102
Blue W ing, condemned and so ld ..................
8
b u ilt for foreign owners....................................
144
Cedar, placed in commission..........................
8
Coast and Geodetic S u r v e y .. ..............8, X3,121,122
commercial, placed under control of A rm y
and N a v y .....................................................
143
condemned and so ld ......................................... 8,121
construction........................................................
115
Curlew, condemned and so ld .........................
8
damaged b y fire.................................................
115
INDEX.
Page.
Vessels, destroyed b y G e rm a n y .......................
144
enforcement of navigation law s......................
146
Fish H aw k, service in N a v y ..........................
102
Fisheries B u reau ................................................. 8,102
transferred to N a v y ..........................................
102
Governm ent construction...............................
144
Grampus, condemned and so ld.....................
8
H alcyon, service in N a v y ................
8,102
inspections....................................................... 137,138
interned en em y..................................................
140
life preservers tested.........................................
138
Lighthouses B u reau .......................... 8,113,115,117
salaries, officers and crews of vessels...........
115
loaned b y Philippine G overnm ent............... 8,121
loaned to N a v y ................................... 8,102,119,121
lost......................................................................... 9,1x7
marine services of D epartm ent......................
8
motor boats, cooperating in collecting in
ternal-revenue ta xes..................................
147
num bering of undocum ented.....................
147
N avigation B ureau...........................................
8
expenditure from national security and
defense fund.................................................
30
overcrowding, prevention...............................
146
expenditures.............................................. 17,23,26
owned b y Shipping B o ard .......................... 143,144
Phalarope, service in N a v y ............................
102
radio apparatus..................................................
145
steel plates for boiler construction inspected
138
survey, needs.................................................. 125,129
T aku , condemned and sold............................
121
157
Page.
Vessels, tonnage, A m erican............................. 143,144
wire-drag launches...........................................
13
Virgin Islands, census..........................................
97
V ita l statistics, report..........................................
89
Vocational Education Board, cooperation of
D epartm en t.................................................
60
Wages, railroad employees, d ata......................
g6
seam en.................................................................
129
D epartm ent, cooperation of Commerce
D ep a rtm en t... 4 7 *5 x , 5 2 , 9 4 , 9 5 , 9 6 , 113,114,119
W ar Industries Board, cooperation of D epart
m ent ............... 4 7 , 5 0 ,5 X,52,56 >8 0 , 9 3 , 9 4 ,96,1x5
W ar minerals com m ittee of W ar Industries
Board, cooperation of D epartm en t.......
52
W ar-risk insurance, Lighthouse Service em
ployees transferred to m ilitary services.
115
W ar-savings and th rift stamps, purchases----43,44
W ar Trade Board, cooperation of D epart
m e n t............................ 47,50,51,52,56,58,59,93
W ashington, D . C ., telephone service, stu d y .
77
W aterw ays, d evelopm ent...................................
45
Wire-drag la u n ch e s ........................................... 13,128
surveys...................................................... 119,123,125
W ireless com m unication.....................................
X 45
laws, enforcement, expenditure......... 17,22,23,26
W oods Hole, Mass., use of Fisheries Bureau
station b y Red Cross and Y . M. C. A . .
102
Women, appointm ents in D epartm ent...........
37
I W ar
I
Y . M. C. A ., cooperation of D epartm en t........
102