The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-12-24
CRITICISMS
OF Plans For Naval Con-
struction by a Marine
Artist
RESENTED BY OFFICIALS

Washington, Dec. 23-Bureau chiefs
Of the navy department and other Of
ficials OF the naval establishment are
not likely TO let pass unnoticed the
criticisms directed against the pres
ent method of determining plans fol
the construction Of armor clads and
against the maintenance Of the feet
The sentiments voiced by Henry Reut.
erdahl, the marine artist, In an article
in McClures magazine, and by OF.
flcors of the service, are being dis
cussed with great interest in naval
circles. For the present, however,
there is disposition on the part of
the officials most concerned to avoid
any public comment on the subject
but IL is realized that the whole ques-
tion will be aired in congress when
the naval appropriation bill comes up
for discussion, and the officials are
Withholding their ammunition until
that time.
In an informal way some or the
most prominent officers of the navy
department and the naval service
were willing to express views in re-
gard to the structures Of Mr. Reuter-.
dahl, who by the way, is a passenger
on one Of the battleships now on their
way to the Pacific under command OF
Rear Admiral Evans. The general
tenor OF the remarks made by these
officers is condemnatory Of Mr.. Reut.
erdahl, the main contention being that
he Is not familiar enough with his
snbject~to give competent criticism.
In the face OF all this resentment OF
Mr.. Reuterdahl's announcement, there
Is. however, an almost general willing.
in the United States has not reached
perfection. But side by side with thi1
admission Is the contention that every
effort Is being made 10 correct mis-
takes.
Many naval officers are dissatisfied
with the present bureau rule which
they say brings nothing, but com.
prises plans for new vessels. One.
bureau demands more space for ma
chinery. Another seeks tightening
OF the vessel in some respects, 20 per-
init a heavier allotment OF armor and
armament. Another fights against al
lowing too much space for coal and
machinery and too much weight for
guns. II was this aspect OF the case
which Rear Admiral George w. Mel.
Vile is supposed TO have had in mind
when he denounced the present bur
eau System. Admiral Melville. now re-
tired, was for many years the engl.
neer In chief OF the navy and for part
OF that period was q member OF the
board OF construction. He was known
as an open fighter, frank in expressing |
his views, and filed with an honest |
purpose 10 give 10 the navy the best |
ships In the world. While Admiral |
Is being criticized by his for.
mer colleagues OF the naval admins
tration and the charge is made that
be has violated the naval regulations
N speaking SO frankly In condemna.
hon Of the bureau systems, the knowl-
edge that he spoke from the heat |
has had its influence here, and there
5 no disposition, according to what
vas said at the navy department 10.
lay, 70 call him 10 account for his
IN unconventional remarks. Secretary
II the Navy Metcalf said today In the
.ouhse Of an informal conversation
IN the subject OF Mr.. Reuterdahl's
that when he took the ma
raj portfolio he called on officers of
he navy TO make known 20 him their
'iews as TO improvements that could
'e made In the construction and the
OF the feet. To his sur
rise few line officers took advantage
4 this invitation. Subsequently there
vas complaint that our battleships
we're defective In that most of the
hick armor belt. intended to protect
he vitals OF the ships, was below the
gater line. Secretary Metcah said
hese complaints had been made by
everal high ranking seagoing ofiicers.
ut these very officers, after reports
n the Subject had been submitted to
hem. declared that they we're convinc-
d that no mistake had been made in
lacing the armor belt so low.