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392 ' Welfare on Lake Vessels The Welfare Plan Committee of the Lake Carriers' Association held a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26, in the office of J. H. Sheadle, vice presi- dent of the Lake Carriers' Association. The purpose of the meeting was to review the work of the past month and to plan for the future. Safety has been the keynote of the associa- tion in its dealings with the men aboard ship during the present season. Metal signs with lettering in white upon a blue background and contain- ing a red disc have been prepared 'and distributed to practically all of the boats. A few deliveries, however, .are awaiting more specific directions. To promote sanitation, drinking foun- tains were established as an experi- ment in a number of assembly rooms and were found to work quite satisfac- torily. The committee thereupon or- dered them installed in all the assembly rooms in the association. Last spring the sanitation commit- tee sent a circular to all the supply houses having dealings with the ves- sels indicating the manner in which foodstuffs intended for consumption aboard ship should bé handled. This circular, which was published in the June issue of THE Marine Review, went into considerable detail. Since then an investigation has been made of all of the supply houses which are patronized by the vessels and in gen- eral they were found to be in satis- factory condition. There are some, however, that are not up to standard, but they will be. given a further op- portunity to meet the wishes of the association. The association will not discriminaté against anyone, but it is naturally desirous that its vessels tradé 'at the best places. The places which are not up to standard will not be recommended, or to quote W. E. Lloyd, "We will get them all into line, if we can; if they won't get into line, why. that's their own lookout." Obviously during the course of the month a great many suggestions fell into the hopper and the committee gives all of them consideration. A suggestion that the galley should be inspected daily by some one delegated by the captain for that purpose was not approved. It was held that this was the captain's duty exclusively and that he had ample time to make the examination. It was also sug- gested that meat chopping machines be installed in the galley. While this was not specifically endorsed, it was held that the steward should cut up all meat for hamburg steaks, chile concarni, etc, and not buy meats for this purpose already cut up in the THE MARINE REVIEW stores, though it was not the thought that the steward should be hindered in buying sausages and such other food. It was emphatically recom- mended that tomato cans once op- ened should never be used for any purpose again. Upon the suggestion of installing a steam pipe in the galley to scald the milk cans before returning them to the milk dealer, the committee was somewhat divided, some believing that they could be scalded with boiling water just as well, while the steam pipe might have a tendency to. un- comfortably steam up the galley. It was admitted, however, that it would be much more convenient to steam the cans than to pour boiling water into them. Some of the assembly rooms are filling up with unclaimed baggage and it was decided to prepare a new check limiting the storage of baggage to two years. If not called for at the expiration of that period the baggage | will be disposed of after inventory. 'Ninety per cent of the crews shipped during the present year are members of the welfare plan, an increase of 6 per cent over last year. Tentative plans are now being made for night schools to be conducted by the Lake Carriers' Association for the benefit 'of the men during the coming winter. Announcement will be made of these plans later. Free Instruction in Navigation The Cleveland branch hydrograph- ic office, formerly located in the Old Arcade, has been established for') the past "tw6? "Yyears"'/in' the Federal building, next door to the United States Steamboat Inspection Service,' The office ais in .charge of an officer of the United States navy, who is assisted by a nautical expert of many years experience. While many mariners' visit. the hydrographic office for information and instruction, a great many. more who might take advantage of the fa- cilities of the office are evidently ignorant of the fact that all services are rendered without charge. The office has a full set of hydro- graphic and lake survey charts cov- ering all the waters of the Great Lakes, together with sailing direc- tions, notices to mariners and hydro- graphic bulletins. These publications are available not only for the latest information but for the study of navi- gation generally. The office also maintains a time service in conjunction with the United States naval observatory. Correct standard time is furnished October, 1914 mariners, chronometers are rated and nautical instruments in' general are corrected and adjusted. The office is particularly well fitted with facilities for giving practical and theoretical instructions in compass compensation, chart work piloting, nautical instruments and deep. sea navigation. The hydrographic office would be glad to give individual in- struction or form classes for the ben- efit of any men who are desirous. of making a study of any of the branches of navigation. Mariners. generally, whether licensed or not, are cordially invited to make use of the facilities offered by the Cleveland branch hydrographic office.. August Lake Levels The United States Lake Survey re- ports the stages of the Great Lakes for the month of August, 1914, as follows: Ft. above mean Lakes sea level Super. eee os 602.76 Michigan-Haurony: «2... 580.64 PG oe ee ak 572.59 MAO ce 2 Ce a 246.33 Lake Superior is 0.08 foot higher than last month, 0:02 foot lower than a year ago, 0.10 foot above the aver- age stage of August of the last ten years, 1.17 feet below the high stage of August, 1876, and 1.16 feet above the low stage of August, 1879. Average stages of the last ten years indicate that the September level will be 0.1 foot higher. Lakes .Michigan-Huron are 0.10 foot lower than last month, 0.58 foot lower than a year ago, 0.42 foot be- low the average stage of August of the last ten years, 2.87 feet below the high stage of August, 1876, and 0.79 foot above the low stage of August, i911. Average stages of the last ten years indicate that the September level will be 0.2 foot lower. Lake Erie is 0.24 foot lower. than last month, 0.65 foot lower than a year ago, 0.12. foot. below: the aver- ase Stage of August of the last ten years, 1.52 feet below the high stage of August, 1876, and 1.21 feet above the low stage of August, 1895. Av- erage stages of the last ten years in- dicate that the September level will be 0.3 foot lower. Lake Ontario is 0.39 foot lower than last month, 0.98 foot lower than a year ago, 0.44 foot below the average stage of August of the last ten years, 1.93 feet below the high stage of August, 1862, and 1.98 feet above the low stage of August, 1895. Average stages of the last ten years indicate that the September level will be 0.4 foot lower.