The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-12
'OURS A GREAT NAVY
DESPITE DEFECTS
Commodore Key, Concluding
His Testimony, Pays Great
Tribute to the Gunnery.


WASHINGTON. d. c., March H.
Before Commander A. L. Key, former
naval aid to the President, resumed
his testimony before the Senate Nava
Affairs Committee to-day. Chairman
Hale made statement In reference
to the controversy of yesterday when
the witness showed a disposition to at
tack the testimony given by Chief
| Constructor Caps and other official
champions of American methods OF
construction.
You may go on under the rules
of the committee" warned Mr.. Hale.
You make statements from your own
knowledge and observation. 1t is not
part OF the conditions laid down by
this committee for one witness to take
UP the testimony of another witness
and criticize testimony he believes to
be misleading"
Commander Key agreed to comply
with this ruling. He then proceeded
TO compare American ships constructed
since 1899 with British ships built
in the same period. His diagrams
tended to show that American vessels
arc overdraft to a greater degree than
the English ships. He agreed with
Admiral Remey and Captain Winslow
that ships should carry full bunkers
OF coal when they go into action, and
he said that not to do so would be
preposterous." His observations in
regard to the draft of vessels we're
that the decision of the Walker Board
of May is, 1896. that "a battleshIp's
normal draft should be her fighting
draft, not her maximum draft, with
full stores on board" had been disrc-
garded by the naval constructors
HIVE Too Much Authority.
How are we to remedy these vio-
lations of the law?" asked Mr.. Tillmnn.
who also wanted to know what guaran-
tee Congress has that good fighting
ships would be built with the money
This led to a general
discussion and Commander Key sug-
gested that the general boards, which
are not responsible under the law,
have too much authority.
You were naval aid to the Presi-
dent, what We're your duties?" asked |
NJ. Tillman
Chiefly to attend functions at the
White House." the commander began. |
tut he was interrupted by Mr.. Tillman, |
Who said:
In uniform; just as an ornament"
"oh, no, sir; not at ALL the witness
'eplied. THE naval aid goes with the
president on trips to visit ships or
IN voyages. He is sort of an at
Mr.. Martin wanted to know IL the
lid is not expected to advise the Pres
dent in regard to the naval program
ma other matters.
If the President had a young officer
n that capacity his advice would be
'esented by other officers, 1 think"
aid the commander.
Chairman Hale questioned Comman-
Ter Key about the work he had done
while naval aide to the President, in
to promote the chances
or naval personnel legislation. my
Efforts We're purely personal. and had
40 connection with my duties at the
White House" the commander said
i didn't think that being aid to the
President l had lost my personal In
But you do not think such duty
essened your influence" asked Mr..
IaIe.
My work was entirely with officers
and not with Congressman" the wit
less replied.
Senator Tillnan called attention to-
he campaign conducted by rnidshipmcn
'or the personnel bill, and Commander
Key denied that he was responsible for
hat campaign.
AS to Armor Belt.
The witness explained his reasons
or believing that it was not necessary !
% extend the armor belt more than
I've feet below the actual water line.
md the adyisabiiity OF having the re-
nalnder Of the armor above the water
me. He criticized a number of the /;
American ships, on the ground that
he free board was insufficient In heavy
seas. the effect being that the gun
checks were so low that the big guns
,ould not be fired in such seas. He
'ound flaws also with the turret and
ammunition HOSTS.
Commander Key said that the Ameri-
IAN navy is the only one In the world
nat has hung on to" type of hoist
which does not isolate the handlinsI
DOM from the guns.
Mr. Tilman was anxious to know {
who was responsible for this fact, and
asked how long the American navy I
lad persisted In keeping this type.
Six years since the dangers of this
loist became positively known" sailI
he witness I'm that time IL has cost
fifteen lives"
six years replied Mr.. Tillman,
That Is one year less than Mr.. Roosc-
ielt has been President, and he came
rom the navy Department, and Is sup
POSED to know about these faults"
Commander Key said that the fifteenI
ives were unnecessarily SACRIFICED"
nut that the Chief OF Ordnance has now
asked for more than $4,000. 900 in or
Ter TO correct the defects in the holstc.
n concluding his testimony the com.