New-York tribune., 1908-02-28
SAFETY ON WIRSHIPS.
BroscnsoR-Rirey Controversy TO Be
Hired la Naral Inquiry.

Washington Feb "a general discussion to-
DAY among members Of the Senate Committee on
Naval Affairs indicated that the investigation Of
charges OF defects in battleship construction VIII
b. extended 10 q runber OF other questions that
have attracted pubic attention Among these
questions viii be that of whether staff officers
such as surgeons. shall he put in command of hos
piial ships or other naval vessels. This will un-
doubtedlv result in an airing of the controversy
between Rear Admiral Brownson and Surgeon
General Rixey. which the President decided sup
porting the latter in his contention that a sur
geon should have command of the hospital ship
Relief.
Rear Admiral y /. Mason, chief OF the bureau
of ordnance. explained to-day the workings of the
-urret ammunition hoists from powder handling
rooms biz guns modern hattleships Ills
testimony was given with the view Of answering
the criticisms made nv Henry Reuterdahl. who
charged that there was great danger OF accidents
with the straight hoists and open turTets. and
THAI a number thu fatal explosions, such as
those OF the Missouri and the Georgia were
Caused tv faulty hoists. Admiral Mason denied
s=fs and ny comparison with ships Of other navies
cadesvorcd SHOW that American methods are
equal any
aft,r an extended review Of the changes which
have been made an hoists Mir. Hale. chairman Of
Ehs COMMITTEE asked.
Then you believe We have taken every step that
car be taken to manage. control and prevent this
f-r-rsck danger. and that Gar as hoists go ths,
sS safe as they can BE- made
Yes sir. : dc." replied Admiral Mason
Senator TiJlrY7ar = eferred 70 the charge ~
Nj Fse1l-erdahI that American battlesh'ps d. not
certain emergency hcists. Admiral Mason ad-
r-irred that there might At lime hs need for
emergency hoists, bu, said there was no room for
tHeu1 IN the currsts- He expressed the opinion
shat rhe necessity Ter emergency HOSTS is not
arQ-e-isbIe danger II brought our that the
5r4-rruvte5 hoist Of the type % turrot Is
safer than tho direct hoist, and that 1t was nut
f. because q the demands OF officers and seamen
n1o Relieve = viii permit Of more rapid firing
1T would seem. then" said Nj Tillnan- that
victory is more important 10 the navy than the
protection Of human lives
OF course replied Admiral NJ son the men
O. The bat+leehirs right in thinking that the
shp THAT gets in TIE most shots has the greatest
sdva11age'
= rH7 il does hereafter in sacrificing safety TO
raridftv Of ti-e" said NJ. Hale.
Admiral Mason estimated -hst the cost o chang
l-E ne tU~-e1s OF all the battleshiPs OF the navy
- a. bring them ID 70 the most approved
standard known would not b more than S16'2 =
tff7
Senator Perkins vas greatly interested II the
cause fo- -1e change made in the guns from the
---I--a - -7e I2-i7ch 1v7e which is the largest
"a vse5 Admiral Mason said the Pinch vas
bite -rsn the larger gun because IN order -
p--ai- tie same effectiveness the larger gun Woud
weigh fully eighteen tons more and that weight
could n1- be allotted
The committee vent i-to executive SESSION an1
ezr4e5 = hear Lte1tenart Commanders Frank K
Hill CarI =. Togelsesang and William : SIMS
I'D Commander Bradley \. Flsse on saturdaE-
= these ef5cers are authors Of statements in
magazines OF IN confidential reports 70 the secre-
- T r7e ,----- c-iticlstnE certain features =
cC-~rrlC-l7-