1-18. The general program of improvements made it necessary to increase and unify the production of power at yards. The naval act of April 27, 1904, provided for the centralization of all power plants and distributing systems under the cognizance of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. In accordance with this law a central power plant, serving all activities, has been established at each yard and station requiring such service.

1-19. In the naval appropriation act of March 4, 1911, appropriations for all public works were consolidated under the Bureau of Yards and Docks and they have so continued. By the 1911 act this bureau was made responsible for new shore construction for all purposes, whether at yards or at stations of restricted function, thus relieving other bureaus by virtue of its specialization in this line.

1-20. The principles established and experience gained by the bureau throughout its history laid the foundation for its extraordinary expansion of work in the World War. During that period (fiscal year 1917 to the armistice) the bureau was charged with the construction of naval public works, under direct appropriations and allotments received from the Navy Department and other bureaus, in the total amount of nearly $347,000,000.

1-21. To expedite the construction of naval vessels during this period the bureau supervised extensions of the plants of commercial shipbuilders and machinery manufacturers at a cost of about $70,000,000, rendered engineering cooperation to the Shipping Board in arranging the layouts of new plants for the building of merchant ships, and performed much emergency construction in the countries of the Allies and associates in the war.

DUTIES OF THE BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS.

2-01. Duties of bureau, how determined and authorized. The duties of the Bureau of Yards and Docks are defined by law and by the Navy Regulations. The duties of the several bureaus are performed under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy, and their orders are considered as emanating from him and have full force and effect as such. (See section 420, R. S., N. R. 323–2.)

2-02. Laws, opinions, and decisions are quoted elsewhere. For convenient reference, there are quoted in Chapter 27 the principal laws and Executive orders under which the Bureau of Yards and Docks functions as a part of the Navy Department. Opinions of the Attorney General, decisions of the comptrollers, and decisions of the courts, by which the bureau is bound in the performance of its duty, are quoted in abstract in Chapters 28, 29, and 30.

2-03. The following extracts from the Navy Regulations (1920) indicate the duties of the Bureau of Yards and Docks:

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES.

2-04. Public works and public utilities under bureau cognizance. The design and construction of all public works and public utilities, and their repair, except as excluded in article 484, shall be the duty of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. When such work is to be done as a charge against any appropriation or fund under the control of a bureau or office other than the Bureau of Yards and Docks, it shall be done under the charge of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, on a specific allotment from the proper appropriation or fund made by the bureau or office concerned and approved by the Secretary of the Navy. (N. R. 486.) (See also N. R. 481-1.)

DEFINITION OF PUBLIC WORKS.

2-05. The definitions given in this article shall govern in all regulations, instructions, and manuals relative to all public works and public utilities under the jurisdiction of the Navy Department. (N. R. 482-1.)

2-06. The term "public works" shall be construed to include the following, and such similar works as the Secretary of the Navy may designate, of whatever character and wherever located except

as indicated in the list, and except such as may be located on board

2-07. The term "public utilities" shall be construed to include the following, and such similar utilities as the Secretary of the Navy may designate, of whatever character and wherever located, except as indicated in the list, and except such as may be located on board ship: Awnings.

Cranes, outside of shops.

Derricks, outside of shops.

Dredges.

Mules, horses, and cattle.

Pile drivers.

Shears.

Steam shovels.

Telephone and telegraph lines.
Trucks.

Vehicles.

Fire apparatus.

Fixed moorings.

Flags.

Landing floats.

Wheels.

Locomotives and rolling stock.

(N. R. 482-3.)

2-08. Decision as to classification of particular items. Any question in regard to the proper classification of any item or activity under the several definitions given in this article shall be forwarded to the Chief of Naval Operations for reference to the Secretary of the Navy. (N. R. 482–7.)

PRELIMINARY PROCEDURE IN DESIGN.

2-09. Commandant of station concerned recommends as to general features. Prior to the construction of any public work or public utility the general features affecting the activities performed therein or therewith shall be submitted to the commandant of the station concerned for recommendation unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of the Navy. (N. R. 487-1.)

2-10. General features to be submitted to bureau having cognizance. In the case of the construction of public works and public utilities, which are to be used for activities under the cognizance of a bureau or office other than the Bureau of Yards and Docks, the general features affecting the activities performed therein or therewith shall be submitted for approval to the bureau or office having cognizance of the activities. (N. R. 487–2.)

2-11. Secretary of the Navy to decide in cases of disagreement. In the case of disagreement between the offices and bureaus concerned the matter shall be referred to the Secretary of the Navy for decision. (N. R. 487-3.)

2-12. Consultation as to fueling plants. The operating features of all coaling and fuel plants shall be designed by the Bureau of Yards and Docks in consultation with the Bureau of Engineering and the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts. (N. R. 484-13.)

2-13. Storehouses. * * * It [Bureau of Supplies and Accounts] shall recommend to the Bureau of Yards and Docks the interior arrangements of storehouses ashore. (N. R. 541-2.)

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2-14. Public works for Marine Corps. The quartermaster of the corps [Marine Corps] shall suggest and recommend to the Bureau of Yards and Docks plans for such public works and other improvements as by these regulations that bureau is required to perform (N. R. 570-6.)