334 On the Light-House System of the United States. 
our lights must not only rapidly improve in efficiency, but also 
in economy. 
By the assistance of the officers, proposed as inspectors, and 
thé two secretaries of the board, a general and systematic plan of 
classification, distinction, illumination, construction, repair, in- 
spection, and superintendence will, ina short time, be introduced, 
to the great advantage of commerce and navigation, and to the 
economy of the service. 
special positions, make necessary experiments upon apparatus, 
oils, gases, &c., for light-house purposes; and determine, from 
information derived from their own and other competent officers, 
what increased aids are necessary along the coast to recommend 
to Congress. : 
_ They would ina short time be able to furnish. to navigators 
clear and full descriptive lists of. the lights, beacons, buoys, sea- 
marks, &c., with such notices of them as may be necessary to 
gnide them in making our coast in tempestuous weather, and 
which could be reprinted at short intervals of time, if necessary, 
to point out new structures or changes. 4 
The Coast Survey charts would then be furnished with an ac- 
count of every change of position or character of lights, buoys, 
beacons, &c., which would enhance their present great value to 
the navigating community. 
-. Under an efficient organization, such as the one proposed, the 
duty would be performed better and more economically than at 
present, and there would be-great saving in the end, by affording 
to Congress estimates for proposed new works, rejecting works not 
considered necessary, and by introducing a class of structures 
which would require much less annual expense for repair than 
those now existing, 
The ablest Engineers of the Army would be called upon to 
decide upon plans for structures in eases involving doubts; the 
st and most durable illuminating apparatus would either be 
