Many of the elevators are unsafe, some being more than 25 years old. A great many are from 12 to 20 years old. From time to time as funds could be spared from "Maintenance," the worst installations have been corrected; but there is much work remaining to be done in order to make the elevators safe. It is proposed to use the funds under this item to modernize passenger and freight elevators by providing safety features and appliances so that those elevators which can be modernized will be brought within the requirements of the elevator safety code.. Mr. UMSTEAD. Admiral, have you a program worked out for modernizing elevators, and if so, how much remains to be done? Admiral MOREELL. We have in all 361 elevators under the cognizance of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, representing an investment of $2,100,000. We have worked out a program for the modernization of certain of those elevators, certain improvements to others to bring their efficiencies up to standard, and certain replacements. The total program calls for the expenditure of $436,765. Of that amount we are asking for $150,000 now and intend to ask for additional funds in future years. The $150,000 will provide for 8 replacements, improvement of 93 elevators, and modernization of 14 elevators. The completion of the program will entail 17 more replacements and the improvement of 43 additional elevators. PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD, ELECTRIC POWER CIRCUITS This project contemplates the installation and placing in service of a new alternating current distribution system in the machine shops at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia. The present 3-phase, 230-volt power system is of insufficient capacity for present and contemplated motor installations, causing overloading of transformers and cables; also excessive voltage drop. The transformer vault will have to be enlarged and new duct line, cables, transformers, switching equipment, and so forth, purchased and installed. This additional power is for machine tools which are under contract and authorized by the Bureaus of Engineering and Construction and Repair for use on recently authorized ship construction at this navy yard. GENERAL INCREASE FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS AND FUNCTIONS The general increase of $103,042 is to be distributed to various projects to functions. I have here a statement showing the distribution of this general increase. Mr. UMSTEAD. The item of $103,042 is a general increase for a number of different items? Admiral MOREELL. Yes, sir. Mr. UMSTEAD. Will you insert those items at this point? The distribution predicated on the 1939 base estimates will be substantially as follows: There will be additional requirements in connection with dry-dock and water-front structures amounting to approximately $55,600; additional dredging amounting to approximately $10,000; additional requirements in connection with power, refrigeration, heating, and fuel plants amounting to approximately $5,500; additional requirements in connection with distributing systems, fire protection, and communication systems amounting to approximately $55,000; additional requirements for motortruck replacements amounting to approximately $57,200; a total of $183,300. To partially offset this increase the base estimates for administration, buildings and accessories, and miscellaneous equipment and expenses will be reduced by $80,258, leaving a net general increase of $103.042. GENERAL JUSTIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE ESTIMATE Admiral MOREELL. In considering this appropriation its extreme scope should be kept in mind. Its scope is fairly well shown by the side and top titles or headings on the break-down of expenditures. 1937 on page 31 of the justification. A list of the places or activities to which funds are allotted is shown on page 6 of the justification. The funds are not all used for labor and materials required for repair and maintenance of the shore-establishment property to which they are applicable. During 1937 approximately 23 percent of the total expended went for technical, clerical, janitor, and guard service. and supplies for the administrative force; 3.5 percent for dredging: 11 percent for transportation and weight-handling equipment: 3 percent for refuse, snow, and garbage collection and disposal; and 4.4 percent for miscellaneous equipment and leave and holiday pay: a total of 44.9 percent. On the basis of the Budget estimate of $8,369,000 therefore, about $3,757,000 will go before the Bureau can begin to allot funds for direct repair and maintenance purposes. The balance would be $4.612,000. Assuming that the property to be maintained, if it were owned by a private corporation, would be worth $400,000,000 (which is considered a fair assumption) the repair and maintenance, exclusive of administration, overhead, and sinking fund, would be costing less than 12 percent per annum. This is entirely too small an amount to properly maintain property of the character involved. This subject was discussed at the hearing on the 1932 bill-page 583-and it was stated that Property covering widely varying types and situated in locations which are particularly favorable to more than average deterioration cannot be kept in proper repair unless the Navy is willing to devote annually 24 percent for repairs and 11⁄2 percent to make good deferred repairs and obsolescence. The shore stations must be maintained and operated to serve the fleet. Additions and improvements, from time to time, are necessary to provide facilities for economical operation. The policy of the Dpartment includes the maintenance of the existing field properties in a state of repair effective for the purposes to which they are assigned. respectively. If properties are allowed to run down they can only be restored to good condition by the expenditure of a sum increasingl larger as time goes by. The Bureau desires to record its opinion that any cut in the Budget estimate would not be good business, assuming that the policy of maintaining reasonably the existing field properties is to be continued. A clear understanding of the many purposes to which funds under this appropriation are applied is considered essential to an appreci ation of the need for funds. There is presented for the information of the committee a breakdown of expenditures for 1937 under 54 titles indicating the objects to which the funds were applied and 3 columns indicating purposes. There are also shown group totals of group IVb-labor, other labor, indeterminate charges, and material issued. Of the indeterminate charges approximately 80 percent is for labor. The total labor charges amounted to 74.36 percent of the total amount expended. Mr. THOм. Admiral, you have under the charge of the Bureau of Yards and Docks some 70 undertakings, such as navy yards, naval stations, and so forth ? Admiral MOREELL. That is not strictly correct, Mr. Thom. The 71 localities to which we allot funds, include some which are not under our direct charge. For example, we allot funds to certain forces afloat for maintenance and operation of automobiles, but we have nothing to do with the operation of those forces. Mr. THOM. Do you have at each one of these stations. or places of activity, a representative of the Bureau of Yards and Docks? Admiral MOREELL. At each station or yard which expends funds under our Bureau, there is a commandant or commanding officer who is our representative; that is, he is the representative of all of the bureaus of the Navy Department. If you are speaking of Civil Engineer officers, we do not have such an officer at every one of the stations and yards, but there is a Civil Engineer officer in each naval district. It is the duty of that officer, as district Public Works officer, to inspect and to report on the public works and the public utilities of all naval activities in his district at intervals not longer than 14 months. Mr. THOM. And are these men who are in the different yards representing your Bureau of Yards and Docks subject to change every 3 years in accordance with your plan of rotating officers in the Navy? Admiral MOREELL. They are subject to change. The periods are Somewhat indefinite. The standard period for continental shore assignments of Civil Engineers is 4 years, but that is not always adhered to. Sometimes when a large project or other important work must be provided for, it is necessary to detach an officer and to send him to such important work before the expiration of his normal tour of duty. It is pertinent to note that these Civil Engineer officers perform no duties other than civil engineering. They are specialists in this particular line of work and they make this their life's work. DISTRIBUTION OF EXPENDITURES, 1930-37 Mr. UMSTEAD. Admiral, will you insert the material and table on page 33 of the justifications? Admiral MOREELL. Very well, sir. (The material and table referred to are as follows:) DISTRIBUTION OF EXPENDITURES, 1930–37 Reports of labor and material applied, grouped under three general headings for 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937, so far as received, are shown below. The amounts shown for 1936 and 1937 are not final, as the appropriation accounts are still open, but the percentages will not be varied to any appreciable extent by further reports. The increased amount indicated for improvements during 1932 is due to taking over that year certain major repair projects from “Public works” to this appropriation. PAY AND HOURS OF LABOR Mr. UMSTEAD. Admiral, I notice here a statement on pay and hours of labor, which I think it would be well to have in the record. Admiral MOREELL. During 1933, 1934, and 1935 the pay rates for labor were 90 percent, 87.08 percent, and 96.25 percent, respectively. based on the 1932 pay rate as 100 percent. Prior to April 2, 1934. labor, other than group IV (b) (generally called the classified force). worked on an average of 40 hours per week and was paid for 44 hours. Since that date such labor has worked 40 hours and received 48 hours pay. The following indexes indicate the relative effective value of an propriated funds. Giving an index figure of 100 to the year 1982 (during which labor was paid the full base rates, worked 40 hours per week and received pay for 44 hours with no annual or sick leave) and making adjustments for different rates of pay and different pay hours and leave during subsequent years the following figures indicate the relative costs of the same volume of work, assuming the same efficiency of labor and the same unit costs of materials each year The vast extent, great variety, and world-wide locations of publ works of the Navy make the task of general maintenance and upkeep under the varying climatic conditions one of great magnitude. The 10 navy yards alone comprise a very large amount of physical property, as indicated by the accompanying statement. In addition there are streets, roads, and walks; grassed plots and trees; railroads, crane tracks; landing fields; parade grounds; sewers: underground conduits: overhead and underground wires and cables: power plants with extensive and costly machinery and appliances: coal and fuel-oil plants; fences and walls; steam, water, and a mains; marine railways for docking small craft: reservoirs; wate and oil tanks; locomotives; railroad cars; locomotive cranes; motor trucks; automobiles; land and floating derricks and pile drivers; concrete mixers; and other transportation and construction equipment; also household and office furniture and office equipment and devices. PUBLIC WORKS-10 INDUSTRIAL NAVY YARDS Mr. UMSTEAD. Then you may insert your statement entitled "Publie Works, 10 Industrial Navy Yards," on page 41 of the justifications. Admiral MOREELL. Very well, sir. (The table referred to is as follows:) Public Works-Ten industrial navy yards Mr. UMSTEAD. Admiral, turning to page 82 of the subcommittee print and to the provision touching upon the purchase of motor vehicles, tell us how many additional vehicles does the estimate contemplate over the number allowed this year. Admiral MOREELL. The same number of passenger vehicles and one instead of three motor busses, 47 vehicles in all. Mr. UMSTEAD. How many of these would be replacements? Mr. UMSTEAD. Why are you requesting an increase in the unit cost. of the lower price cars? Admiral MOREELL. We have here a list of the present market values of cars, Mr. Chairman, which indicates that there is a slight increase in the cost. We want to be sure to be able to let a contract for those light cars. The town sedan is listed at $689. Of course, we will better that price on a Government contract. Mr. UMSTEAD. You indicated a moment ago, I believe, that two passenger cars would not be replacements; is that right? Admiral MOREELL. Yes, sir. Mr. UMSTEAD. Where are the two new passenger cars to be used? Admiral MOREELL. One is to be assigned to the naval attaché at Moscow and the other to the naval attaché at The Hague. Mr. UMSTEAD. Do either of them have cars now? Admiral MOREELL. No, sir. Those two offices are just now being opened. We have not had any naval attachés at those places until recently. 36929-38-37 |