Receipts and disbursements to June 30, 1915. Construction of harbor improvements: Receipts From sale of $100,000 4 per cent January-July, 1912-1937, bonds. $100,000. 00 200,000.00 500, 000. 00 554.80 244, 701. 06 280, 013. 79 219, 986. 21 500, 000.00 San Juan Harbor board: Receipts Premium on sale of $100,000 4 per cent January-July, 1912-1937, Accrued interest July 1 to Sept. 16, 1912.. Premium on sale of $200,000 4 per cent January-July, 1914-1939. Accrued interest Jan. 1 to June 1, 1914. Accrued interest Jan. 1 to Feb. 25, 1915, on $200,000 4 per cent Harbor dues collected Mar. 7, 1912, to June 30, 1915. Disbursements Total interest paid to June 30, 1915.... Total petty disbursements and attendance fees paid Total.... Balance, cash on hand. 2,743.00 844. 44 1,620. 00 3, 333. 33 1, 172.23 89, 981. 46 99, 694. 46 $18,000.00 856.50 18, 856. 50 80, 837.96 99, 694. 46 The improvements contemplated under the $500,000 bond issue are: (a) The construction of a permanent reinforced concrete bulkhead along the established bulkhead line, commencing at the western side of the San Antonio basin and extending westward to the present Valdes ferry landing. (b) The construction of a modern wharf shed along this bulkhead from its eastern end to Pier 5, and the installation of modern cargo-handling machinery. (c) Widening and paving the marginal street so as to make reasonable provision for both the railroad and car traffic. (d) Laying a system of double-track railways along the marginal street. The bulkhead construction takes precedence over all other projected improvements because the present berthing facilities are so restricted that it is necessary to provide additional new wharfage before removing the old. Accordingly, the contract for the new bulkhead was signed with the P. J. Cailin Construction Co. on April 24, 1913, for $345,841.10. The time set for the completion of the work is July 2, 1915. The progress of the work under this contract has been as follows: Condition of the work on June 30, 1913: 6 test piles had been driven; 18 shed piles had been driven. No payments had been made to the contractors. Condition of the work on June 30, 1914: 9489°-WAR 1915-VOL 3--22 Piling.-6 test piles were driven; 78 shed piles were driven; 277 foundation piles were coated and on hand; 594 foundation piles were driven in 83 buttresses; 277 sheet piles were cast and on hand; 506 sheet piles were driven in 665 lineal feet of bulkhead. Concrete.-562.6 cubic yards of "B" concrete was placed in 75 buttresses; 94.2 cubic yards of "A" concrete was placed in 168 linear feet of deck. Steel.-202,511 pounds of steel beams were placed in 672 linear feet of bulkhead. Riprap-1,312.8 cubic yards of riprap was placed in 285 linear feet of bulkhead. Filling.-9,949 cubic yards of filling was placed back of the "A" section of bulk head. Cast-iron moorings.-1,888 pounds of cast-iron was placed, comprising 2 cleats and 2 mooring posts. Extra work.-$1,637.03 of extra work was done. The total amount paid to the contractors was $75,163.05, and a retained percentage amounting to $7,731.26 was withheld. Condition of the work on June 30, 1915: Piling (made, but not driven).—55 Reinforced concrete foundation piles; 24 concrete sheet piles, 25 feet; 14 concrete sheet piles, 30 feet; 105 concrete sheet piles, 35 feet; 7 concrete sheet piles, 39 feet. Piling (driven).-24 test piles; 1,016 concrete-coated foundation piles; 173 reinforced concrete foundation piles; 831 concrete sheet piles, 25 feet; 149 concrete sheet piles, 30 feet; 220 concrete sheet piles, 35 feet; 193 concrete sheet piles, 39 feet; 136 creosoted fender piles; 136 plain shed piles. Concrete (placed).—995.7 cubic yards “A” concrete; 2,035.6 cubic yards “B” con crete. Steel (placed).-549,919.1 pounds structural and railroad steel and bolts. Riprap (deposited).-10,241 cubic yards riprapping to bent 158. Fill (deposited).-44,499 cubic yards filling to bent 156. Paving (in place).-1,983 square yards, 3-inch asphalt-block paving; 3,907 square yards, 2-inch asphalt-block paving. Drains (in place).-9 storm-water outlets. Moorings (in place).—16,636 pounds cast-iron moorings. Extra work.-$5,427.05 has been paid for extra work. Allowances.-$7,989.81 has been allowed under supplemental agreement signed February 11, 1915. The total amount paid to the contractors was $244,701.06 and a retained percentage amounting to $26,599.26 was withheld. Bulkhead progress.-977 linear feet, entirely completed, including bulkhead wall, retaining wall, filling, paving, and grading; 756 linear feet bulkhead wall and fill; 168 linear feet buttresses, beams, sheet piles, and some fill; 60 linear feet buttresses only; 12 linear feet foundation piles only. Making a total of about 75 per cent of the work contracted for. The progress map appended hereto shows that the progress of the contractors during the past fiscal year has been much better than that for the year 1913-14. However, they have been so handicapped by their delay in providing an adequate plant and organization that it would be impossible for them to complete the work in less than four or five months beyond the stipulated time for the completion of the contract. A supplemental agreement was made between the board and the bulkhead contractors on February 11, 1915. This agreement provided for the use of reinforced concrete piles in the place of the concrete-coated piles specified, for an increased price for additional fender piles, for the return of moneys deducted for short-length piling, and for the payment of the contract bond premium by the government. Injunction proceedings brought by the Insular Dock Co. of San Juan, on May 3, 1915, have stopped all work west of a point 75 feet east of Pier No. 2. It is probable that a year will elapse before the final decision will be rendered on this injunction and, under these circumstances, it is advisable to stop all bulkhead construction westward of the point at which the injunction is effective. The future operations will be governed largely by the decision of the harbor board on the question of stopping all bulkhead construction or continuing the bulkhead from its present eastern end. About three months will be required to entirely complete the bulkhead up to a point 75 feet east of Pier No. 2, but the delay in the completion of the bulkhead will in no way prevent the harbor board from commencing the other improvements, as soon as it is definitely decided on the limits of bulkhead construction, so that an accurate estimate can be made of the funds available for other improvements. The marginal street drainage and paving is one of the most important of the additional improvements to be made and should be started as soon as possible. The area over which most of this pavement is to be built has just been reclaimed and is certain to settle considerably during the next two or three years. For this reason a macadam pavement is recommended, although the traffic would probably justify the construction of a more durable pavement. The plans for this work are completed. The marginal street railways are very important to the development of the port and it is proposed to double track the entire length of the new marginal street and connect with the American Railway tracks. These railways must be under full control of the port authorities if they are to exercise any real authority in the management of port affairs. To this end the tracks should either be constructed at government expense and leased for short terms to the railroad company or else built by the railroad company under a limited franchise permitting government control and providing for its purchase at any time by the government at cost, less depreciation. The plans for this work are completed. The dredging along the bulkhead east of Pier No. 5 should be commenced as soon as the plant now working east of San Antonio Dock is available. This will probably be about the 1st of September. At the time that the estimates for the bulkhead and other improvements were made it was expected that the Federal Government would provide for this dredging, and no provision was made for it in the estimates. It is therefore recommended that the Legislative Assembly be asked to make an appropriation reimbursing the harbor improvement fund for the cost of this dredging at its next session. Plans and specifications for this work are completed. A bulkhead shed should be constructed over the bulkhead east of Pier No. 5 as soon as possible, so as to fully develop the new water front and encourage the construction of storage warehouses on the lands controlled by the harbor board. Plans and specifications for this work are completed. Mechanical cargo handling has long been in use at European ports and is being adopted in all of the latest American port developments. Provision has been made in the design of the bulkhead sheds for a traveling transporter to run along the roof of the shed and handle cargo from inside the shed to or from the ship's hold. The transportation of cargo along the bulkhead to warehouses across the marginal street will be accomplished by means of a monorail crane system, and the roof trusses have been designed with a view to installing such a system whenever the warehouses are built. Tentative estimates of the cost of these mechanical appliances have been obtained from the manufacturers, and the purchase of at least one traveling transporter to facilitate the handling of schooner cargoes is recommended. A terminal freight yard has been under consideration by the American Railway Co. for some time and would be of great benefit to the port of San Juan. The present land holdings of the railway company are too restricted to develop a modern freight yard, and the company will need a large block of public property adjoining their present property. This land should be sold to them on liberal terms because of the public benefit accruing from the proposed improvement. Street extensions are necessary to properly develop the new water front and can be provided for by funds derived from she sale or lease of adjacent public lands. The right of way connecting the new water front with Covadonga Boulevard has already been acquired, and the remaining important extensions are widening Ezquiaga Street and building a 6-meter roadway along the water front south of the railroad tracks to San Antonio Dock. The public land adjacent to the new bulkhead will be greatly increased in value by the completion of the proposed improvements, but owing to the present commercial conditions and the low storage rates prevailing at present it is doubtful if this land could be sold at this time for anywhere near its real value. It is believed that the saving in the cost of handling cargoes from warehouses adjacent to the new water front would justify a higher storage rate, but to start a building movement in this direction it will be necessary to lease some of this land at very low rates. It is recommended that warehouse sites along the new marginal street, with the privilege of connecting with the monorail crane system of the new bulkhead, be leased at nominal rentals for 10 years, with the privilege of a 10-year extension subject to cancellation on one year's notice and at an increased rental. In event of cancellation by the government the buildings to be removed by the owner. Additional harbor dredging has been recommended by the Federal engineers, but so far no appropriation has been made by Congress. It is proposed to reclaim a large portion of the swamp surrounding San Juan with dredged material and to reimburse the Federal Government for a part of the cost of dredging by the sale of the reclaimed land. This is in line with the present Federal policy in all harbor improvements and will materially aid in the development of the port. It is very important to the local control of the port that the title to all land in the rear of the established bulkhead lines be vested in the insular government, as in the case of the various States. At present the land under water lying between low-water line and the established bulkhead is claimed by the Federal authorities, and the bill providing for the dredging and the reclamation of these lands should also vest the title to such land in the insular government so that it may always own its water front. PROPERTY AND ACCOUNTS. The division of property and accounts accounts for all expenditures and receipts, acts as special' disbursing officer for the payment of all laborers, makes all requisitions for material and supplies, issues motor-vehicle and chauffeur licenses, and has charge of all the property of the department of the interior. During the fiscal year 6,312 accounts were prepared, recorded, and transmitted to the auditor of Porto Rico for settlement, aggregating the sum of $591,104.29. The sum of $145,118.31 in cash was paid by the special disbursing officer, representing 32,613 individual payments, on 3,128 pay rolls. Eighty-five main accounts with 129 subsidiary or subaccounts were handled, with a total credit of $1,798,047.70. There were placed with the bureau of supplies, printing, and transportation 1,577 requisitions for materials and supplies and 6 department orders for direct purchases were issued. There were made, in accordance with the civil-service act and rules approved by the Legislative Assembly of Porto Rico March 14, 1907, 91 permanent and 41 temporary appointments, 188 separations, 5 transfers, 13 reinstatements, 26 promotions, and 50 demotions. During the fiscal year 932 motor vehicles were inscribed and licenses issued therefor, 659 of which were automobiles for private use, 144 automobiles for public service, 25 motor trucks, and 104 motorcycles, 740 automobile and 78 motorcycle licenses renewed, 608 automobile and 69 motorcycle transfers registered, 435 automobile and 109 motorcycle licenses canceled, 14 temporary automobile licenses issued, and 45 automobiles licensed for private use were, upon payment of the additional fee required by law, authorized to be used as public carriers. On June 30, 1915, there were 1,518 automobile, 61 motor truck, and 182 motorcycle licenses in force, and 4,258 chauffeurs' licenses, of which 1,091 were issued during the fiscal year 1914-15. The sum of $7,289.99 was received and deposited to the credit of the treasurer of Porto Rico, on account of trust funds, miscellaneous receipts, and repayments. The regulating of automobile traffic is becoming a problem deserving careful consideration. The number of automobile accidents has greatly increased, this increase being caused very frequently by careless or reckless driving, or by the use of old and improperly kept up machines by their owners or by the companies operating as public carriers. The law providing for the granting of chauffeur licenses should contain more stringent requirements than it does at present. The damage done the insular roads by auto vehicles and especially by trucks and public passenger machines would seem to indicate the justice of requiring automobiles to in some degree contribute to the upkeep of the roads. Automobile licenses should be rated according to the power of the machine and not according to their use as provided by the law at present. IRRIGATION. The work of the system of irrigation of part of the lands on the south side of the island is nearing completion. The functioning of the provisional irrigation district began on September 1, 1914, and the results thus far obtained have been highly beneficial to the cane growers and the community in general. CONSTRUCTION. A description of the various features of the irrigation system was given in the report for the year ended June 30, 1914, and may be found on pages 323-327 of the governor's report for that year. The following features were completed during the year, the detailed items of work accomplished being shown in Appendix No. I, Exhibit No. 39, consolidated financial exhibits. CANALS AND LATERALS. The main canals and practically all laterals, excepting those under the west Gaumani Canal, were ready for the delivery of water September 1, although subsequently work was done on laterals such as lining, and the construction of additional bridges, drops, etc. The extension of the west Guamani Canal was begun in August and completed December 15. Delivery of water began in October. The construction of this canal, commanding about 2,400 acres of cane land north of Salinas, completed the work required for the delivery of water to all lands included in the temporary irrigation district. East Guamani Canal was completed in September, 1914; water was being delivered, however, in August. Melania Dam.-This dam was completed and put in service in October. A bridge was built across the channel leading from the dam to the Patillas Canal and five concrete drops placed in the channel to control the grade and prevent erosion. Coamo Dam.-The first concrete in this dam was placed January 5, 1914, and the dam proper was completed December 30, 1914, when the flood openings were closed and storage commenced. The bridge, apron, and concrete conduit connecting the dam with the Juana Diaz Canal were completed between that date and February 7, 1915. Two roads were built around the reservoir to replace the submerged sections of the old roads. The west road, 2.3 miles in length, begins at the river below the dam, follows along the western edge of the reservoir and joins the old road from Santa Isabel to Coamo. The east road begins at a point near the junction of the Jauca road and the Santa Isabel-Coamo road, runs in a northerly direction for 2.6 miles and joins the Jueyes road. This latter road was repaired from this point to its junction with the Coamo Springs carretera about 1.5 kilometers above the hotel. The total length of the east road including the repaired portion of the Jauca road is 3.22 miles. Carite water power.—All construction work pertaining to the power plant and the Guayama substation, including the installation of machinery, was completed, the machinery dried out and the plant made ready for operation. The principal work done during the year consisted in repairing the penstock. The pipe was originally laid in a trench, unsupported by concrete pillars except at a few anchorages, and upon being filled with water was found to leak badly at flanged joints and at riveted seams. An examination showed that rubber gaskets had deteriorated badly, that the pipe was not satisfactorily calked on the inside and that unequal settlement had opened up many joints. Concrete saddles were built under the pipe, reinforced concrete anchorages were placed as required, and the pipe was thoroughly calked inside and out. Circular lead packing was used in the flanges, some of which were riveted and calked. The pipe was given two coats of black graphite paint. This work was completed in May and the pipe tested out satisfactorily under a full head. The plant was then placed in operation to dry out the generators and transformers. The only item of the original project remaining uncompleted at the close of the fiscal year is the construction of the proposed Aguirre-Salinas substation. In view of the fact that practically all cane land in the neighborhood of Salinas has been included in the district and is now irrigated by gravity, it was deemed advisable to extend the transmission line and locate the substation at Santa Isabel, which is nearer the center of the present pumping district and is a more convenient point from which to distribute power to the municipalities of Santa Isabel, Juana Diaz, and Coamo. The proposed changes have been authorized and material for the construction is now being assembled. A frame office building was constructed at Juana Diaz and three houses from the construction camp at Coamo Dam were moved to Juana Diaz and rebuilt for residences for the watermaster and two ditch riders. WEATHER. The rainfall for the year was below normal and temperatures ranged high in the irrigation district. There were no severe wind or rain storms, hence no damage to crops or to irrigation structures, until about the middle of June, when heavy general rains caused all irrigators to request that their water be shut off. Numerous small landslides occurred along the canals and two flumes on the Guamani high-line canal were damaged. Repairs had been made by the time irrigation was again needed, so there was no inconvenience to planters. A tabulation of rainfall data is given in Appendix II, Exhibit No. 41, consolidated financial exhibits. |