The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-03-13

BflCISn UneSS rays fine
Tribute to American Navy-His
Duties as Naval Adviser 20 Tie
President Were Chieny 10 AtteAu
Functions
Washington, March 1.-Before
Commander A. l.. Key, former naval
aide to the president, resumed his
testimony before Ipe senate naval at
ialrS Committee tO0ay, Chairman Hale
made a statement in reference to the
controversy of yesterday when the
witness showed a disposition to at
tack the testimony given by Chief
Constructor Capps and other official
champions Of American methods o.
construction.
You may go on under the rules OF
the committee" warned Mr.. Hale.
"Ycu may make statements from
your own knowledge and observation.
1t is not part OF the conditions
laid down by this committee for one
witness 10 take up the testimony OF
another witness and criticise testi-
mony he believes to be misleading.
Commander Key agreed to comply
with his ruling. He then proceeded
10 compare American ships construct
ed since 1899 with British ships built
in the same period. His diagrames
tended to show that American Vessels
are overdraft to a greater degrees than
the English ships He agreed with
Admiral Remey and Captain Wins
low that ships should carry full bunk
ers 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
were that the decision Of the Walker
roard of May IS, 1896, that "a bat
tleship's normal draft should be her
lighting draft, not her maximum
draft with full stores on board,' had
been disregarded by the naval con-
structors.
How are we to remedy these VIC
lations Of the law" asked Mr.. Till
nan, who also wanted to know what
guarantee congress has that good
fighting ships would be built with the
money appropriated This led to a
ganeral discussion and Commander
Key suggested that the general boards
which are not responsible under the
law, have too much authority.
You were naval aide to the presi-
dent what were your duties?" asked
Mr. Tillman '~~-
Chiefly to attend functions at the
White House." the commander be-
gan, but he was interrupted by Mr..
Tillman, who said:
"In uniform just as an ornament?"
ooh, no sir, not at all" the witness
replied. "The naval aide goes with
the president on trips to visit ships
or on voyages He is sort of an at
tendant'
Mr-Martin wanted to know If the
aide is not expected to advise the
president in regard to the naval pro-
gram and others matters.
IF the president has young Of
ficer in that capacity has advice would
be resented by other officers. think -
said the commander.
Chairman Hale questioned Com
mander Key about the work he had
done while naval aide to the presi-
dent, in endeavoring to promote the
chances fqr naval personal legisla-
ton.
My efforts were purely personal
and had no connection with the CI-
Ties dJ the w IlIt0 I1OuSe, Tue COili-
mander said: Il didn't think that Le-
ing aide to the president l had lost
my personal independence.
But you &C. not think such Il -
lessened your i1fueIce!' asked Mr.
Hale.
My work was entirely with officers
and not with congressman, the wit
ness replied.
Senator Tillman called attention
to the campaign conducted by mid
shipmen for the personnel bill and
Commander Key denied that he was
responsible for that campaign.
The witness explained his reasons
for believing that it was not neces-
sary to extend the armor belt more
than five feet below actual water
line, and the advisability of having
the remainder of the armor belt above
the water line He criticised a num-
Der of the American ships on the
ground that the free board was in
sufficient in heavy seas, the effect be-
ing that the gun checks were 80 low
that the big guns could not be fired
in such seas. He found flaws also IN
the turrets and ammunition hoists-
Commander Key said that the Am
erican is the only one In the world
that has hung onto a type OF hoist
which does not isolate the handling
room from the guns.
Ar. Tfllman- Was anxious TO know