Colonel CASEY. Very reliable. Mr. ANTHONY. The Navy has installed engines of that type, and they have had a great deal of trouble with them. Colonel CASEY. That was the old type, sir. FRESH-WATER SUPPLY. The fresh-water situation on the island has always been serious. The water is obtained from some twenty-odd wells scattered over the island and located in various ravines. I have indicated these wells in this sketch by those little round dots. Mr. LEE. How deep are they? Colonel CASEY. They run anywhere from 100 to 150 feet. They have to be shallow. The water is lifted from the wells by air pressure derived from the electrically driven air compressors. These wells produce on an average about 700,000 gallons a day; besides the water obtained from wells, about 200,000 gallons a day is brought over in water barges from the main land near the Mariveles shores, a distance of about 2 miles. The CHAIRMAN. Why do you bring that over? Colonel CASEY. Because we will not have sufficient on the island. The water facilities on the main land; that is, the Mariveles shore, are possible of further development. However, at present we are only able to secure about 200,000 gallons during the dry season. The fresh water source on the island apparently does not present promising possibilities for much of an increased output by further development. The island is of volcanic origin, therefore, what deep wells have been attempted turned out brackish, and had to be tapped. What fresh water is obtained is due to the seepage in the ground during the rainy season. Considerable vegetation has been planted over the surface of the island to increase the porosity of the soil and to prevent surface evaporation, with a view to securing the maximum amount of seepage and storage in the soil during the rainy season. The roofs of all the houses of any size are guttered and the roof water is thus caught and conveyed to the storage reservoirs by a system of pipes. There are two 3,000,000-gallon storage reservoirs, two 200,000-gallon tanks and two 100,000-gallon tanks, making the storage capacity about 7,000,000 gallons, and the daily consumption is something over 900,000 gallons, with a present maximum daily supply obtainable during the dry season of about 800,000 gallons. The consumption in the dry season is greater than the production; therefore, all storage reservoirs and tanks have to be filled during the rainy season to provide for this excess usage during the other part of the year. The above conditions require that the whole garrison remain on water hours throughout the year. During the dry season the water hours are three times a day of one hour's duration each period. If the dry season is extreme, it is necessary to reduce the water periods to half an hour, and on some occasions in the past, due to breakdowns, it has been necessary to cut the periods to 15 minutes. $7419-24- 46 During the rainy dseason the water periods are correspondingly extended, rarely reaching over an hour and a half. The water is turned on at these stated periods by water tenders at the control valves, and at the end of the period the water is entirely cut out of the distribution system. The conservation of water, by curtailing excess usage, leakage, and wastage, is a problem continually to be dealt with. No public laundry is permitted on the post, and only a small amount of family washing can be done. It is to be noted that during the off-water hours, the water is entirely cut off from the post, and that all bathing, lavatory, and other fresh water using facilities are nonoperative. For lavatory facilities and for bathing in the houses, where there are young children, water is caught in water cans to tide over the time between water hours, but this amount of water is closely watched and restricted by post orders to absolute necessities. As can be seen, there is very little prospect of increasing the amount of water obtainable; therefore, the only other solution is to get the best usage of the water which is available, and that can only be done by maintaining the power and pumping plant in such a condition of efficiency as to pump all obtainable water, since nothing can be done to give the inhabitants of the island all the water which would be desirable. The usage of fresh water will always have to be curtailed, but this strain on the fresh water situation can be considerably relieved by the installation of salt water for sanitary purposes, thereby increasing the amount of fresh water for domestic use. It is estimated that probably 60 per cent of the water used on the island is for sanitary purposes, and should the fresh water be relieved from this demand, the water periods could be considerably increased, if not entirely eliminated. NUMBER OF MEN IN GARRISON. Mr. ANTHONY. How many men are there in the garrison? Mr. LEE. What is the rainfall? Colonel CASEY. It is quite heavy; I think it is about 160 inches. The CHAIRMAN. It is as bad as it is at Panama? Colonel CASEY. It rains considerably during the rainy season. Mr. ANTHONY. Is there any other population on the island besides the military garrison? Colonel CASEY. Only those attached to the garrison and the little barrier, and really a part of those are attached to the garrison. They are the wives and families of soldiers and employees. Mr. ANTHONY. Have you always had that large number of men there? Colonel CASEY. They have had as many as 10,000 men there. Mr. BUCHANAN. This is a fortified place, is it not? Colonel CASEY. They exercise certain civil functions, but do not conflict with military control. As I said, it is estimated that probably 60 per cent of the water used on the island is for sanitary purposes, and should the fresh water be relieved from this demand, the water periods could be considerably increased, if not entirely eliminated. The CHAIRMAN. You would have to have a new system of piping? Colonel CASEY. Yes, sir; we have most of it. SALT WATER SYSTEM. The salt water system for the above-mentioned purpose has been undergoing installation for the past two years, but it is not yet completed, due to lack of sufficient funds. The salt water is taken from an intake near the present pumping station and lifted by electric pumps to a tank at the scout garrison, which tank serves part of the scout garrison and all of the Bottomside. The salt water is in turn lifted electrically from the scout garrison to a tank at Middleside, which serves the lower level on Middleside and the upper section of the scout garrison. The salt water mains have been laid and the salt water reservoirs are up to and including Middleside already. The CHAIRMAN. They are functioning? Colonel CASEY. They should be functioning now. The last report I had about a month or six weeks ago said they expected to turn them in very shortly. In addition to that, up to Middleside, which takes in part of this garrison, the salt water fittings in all the houses have been put in. The CHAIRMAN. Above Middleside? Colonel CASEY. Above Middleside. That simply leaves them the completion of the salt water system. The CHAIRMAN. The line and the connections? Colonel CASEY. One line running up to topside, the building of the topside tank, and the connections into the houses. We estimate the cost of that at about $20,000, and the former estimate I gave you of $374,000 was for the plant. That, with the $20,000, makes the $394,000 necessary for the whole plant. A further reduction in operating expenses, and an improvement in the security of a part of the fresh water system, can be effected by changing the method of pumping from the James Ravine source by airlifts to the Bottomside pumping station, to a direct delivery line from the James Ravine wells to the Middleside Reservoir, by means of an independent electrically operated plant. This at a cost of $20,000. This makes the cost of the entire project $414,000. This entire project is now laid before you so you can know just what the whole outlay is. We are only permitted, however, to request $55,000 at this time. The CHAIRMAN. That will be enough until you can get the case before the Bureau of the Budget? Colonel CASEY. It will have to do. and we can get along with it. It is believed that the expenditure of $374,000 for the rehabilitating of the present power plant and the installing of the Diesel plant, and $20,000 for the completion of the salt-water system, are vital, necessary, and justifiable, both from a standpoint of necessity and economy. It is believed that the installation of the James Ravine pumping station is very desirable for the safety of that part of the water supply and economy of operation. NEED FOR INCREASED WATER SUPPLY. In connection with this matter, we have received the following cablegram from the commanding general: Need for increased water supply and power at Corregidor immediate and imperative. Two of three pumps recently broke down making conditions unsanitary and unsafe. Living conditions made possible only by exhaustion of entire reserve of water accumulated during recent rainy season. Water ration reduced so low that it requires two hours' notice to give post hospital sufficient water for operating room. Refer our fifth indorsement August 23, 1923, letter from G. M. General March 9, 1923. Lack of replacements and reserve equipment called for in that letter and earlier communications caused failure to take advantage of rainy season supply. Such repairs as possible now being made. One pump completed. Deterioration of plant rapid and progressive. The following must be supplied 1,740 kilowatt alternating current generator driven by oil engine of most improved type suitable for using 16 degree Baumé oil stocked in Manila by Shipping Board. Sent to be complete with switchboard and equipment. Also one centrifugal pump multista direct connected to alternating current motor 2,300 volts 3-phase 60-cycle capacity, 500 gallons per minute head including friction 400 feet. This pump to supply Middleside reservoir. Also equipment for James Ravine called for in paragraph 2 of indorsement previously quoted. Also pump for supply from Middleside reservoir to Topside tanks and pump for surplus rain water from Artillery garrison to Topside tanks called for in paragraphs 3 and 4 same indorsement. Further request $40,000 for necessary installation foregoing items. In addition salt-water system should be completed to relieve demand on fresh-water supply as stated in our letter August 1, 1923, subject salt-water system. Supplies and funds are essential earliest possible date. Shipment of any complete item listed above satisfactory if impracticable to furnish all, but the post is in constant jeopardy without all of the foregoing. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1924. NATIONAL CEMETERIES. STATEMENTS OF BRIG. GEN. J. B. BELLINGER, CHIEF SUPPLY SERVICE, QUARTERMASTER CORPS; MAJ. R. L. FOSTER, CHIEF CEMETERIAL DIVISION, OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL; MAJ. F. W. BROWNE, OFFICE OF CHIEF OF FINANCE; AND CAPT. A. J. CHAPPELL, FISCAL OFFICER, OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL. HEADSTONES FOR GRAVES OF SOLDIERS IN THE UNITED STATES. The CHAIRMAN. Under national cemeteries, on page 84, we have an item for headstones for graves of soldiers, $107,852. Will you be kind enough to give us a comprehensive statement about this itemjust where this amount is going to be used, and when, and why the item is not in the regular bill? You came in and asked for $70,000 for 1924, and we gave it to you, and this appears to be for 1924 also. How did you work out this great increase in the amount you asked? Major FOSTER. The $107,000 is made up in this way: Purchase of headstones The CHAIRMAN (interposing). First tell us why it is that you came in for $70,000 and got it, and then discovered that you wanted $107,000. Captain CHAPPELL. I would like to answer that question. Mr. Chairman. In the first place, our estimate submitted to the War Department for the fiscal year 1925 for headstones The CHAIRMAN. This is 1924. Captain CHAPPELL. Yes: I will come to that in a second. Our estimate submitted to the War Department for the fiscal year 1925 was for $177,000. That estimate was reduced to $70,000. General BELLINGER. By the Budget? Captain CHAPPELL. By the War Department. Is that correct, Major Browne? Major BROWNE. That is right. The CHAIRMAN. Are you talking about 1924 or 1925? General BELLINGER. 1925. Captain CHAPPELL. It will be both before I get through. Then we put in the 1925 estimate of $70,000 which the War Department authorized, but in view of the fact that we had so many applications for headstones on hand, the War Department authorized us to make a supplemental estimate for 1924 for the $107,000, which makes up the difference between the $70,000 and the total estimate we asked for at first of $177,000. The CHAIRMAN. According to your statement, then, I take it that you would not have expected to spend more than $70,000 in 1924 had this 1925 matter not arisen. Captain CHAPPELL. We would not be able to spend this money until 1925 if it had been in the original estimate. But the applications that are on hand now are about 13,000, and this will cover approximately 11,000 of them, for which we will be able to go ahead and furnish the stones just as soon as this appropriation becomes available. The CHAIRMAN. Is it essential that this work should be done right away! Captain CHAPPELL. The law requires, Mr. Chairman, that the Secretary of War cause each grave to be marked with a headstone. Major FOSTER. We get countless complaints of the delay in setting them up, and we have not got them. The CHAIRMAN. Where are these cemeteries? Major FOSTER. There are 83 cemeteries in the United States and 8 in Europe. The CHAIRMAN. And this appropriation is to provide headstones at all of them? Major FOSTER. In the United States. The CHAIRMAN. For soldiers whose bodies were brought back from abroad? Major FOSTER. Not at all; all kinds of soldiers, from the Revolution up to date. An honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or marine of any war is entitled to a headstone. Mr. BUCHANAN. Only when buried in a national cemetery; is that it? Major FOSTER. No, sir; in a private cemetery or anywhere, as long as he was an honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or marine. General BELLINGER. The Government furnishes the headstones, but it erects them at Government expense only, at the national cemeteries. The CHAIRMAN. How much do you allow for each headstone? |