Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-07-22
BIG | ROW
Special Inspector Reports
Defects in BattIeship
North Dakota
President Calls Meeting Of
Constructors and There
Is Something Doing

Washington, July 21.-Prospects are
bright for row in the navy depart
mentI that will make the Reuterdahl-
CappsrC Converse upheaval of this
spring appear tame. The disturbance
is expected Wednesday, when the
president and distinguished gather
ing OF naval officers will meet at the I
navy war college at Newport. Criti- |
cism of teh construction of the new |
battleship North Dakota will be the
leading subject for discussion, and the
president is determined to get to the
bottom of the matter. The frequency
with which criticisms Of the vessels
of the United States fleets have been
. made of late has aroused Mr.. Roose-
welt II .s...- .1.s.~.sy+.. J .v.,
B The greatest precautions are being
taken to keep the public in ignorance
OF the discussion. Armed sentries will
surround the war college during the
conference and none will be permitted
to pass. In this way it is hoped to
avoid the publicity that followed at
tacks on Rear Adn.irals Capps and
Converse, who replied openly to the
I criticism of Henry Reuterdahl, the
/. marine artist. \. 5g1.l 5ss &. 3ts
Practically all the chiefs of the ma
val bureaus and several of the officers
on the retired list have been summon.
n ed to attend the meeting.
TIL first topic to be taken up and
the real cause for the calling Of the
conference is the report of Command
er Key to the president, in which
h he made sweeping criticisms of the
battleship North Dakota, a sister ship
Of the Delaware. These criticisms
have been kept profound secret
Few, if any, naval officers have been
taken into the presidents confidence
The plans for the North Dakota and
Delaware were drown some time ago
and submitted to the Fifty-ninth con
gress for approval. 1t was on these
plans in a general way that the ses,
sion just adjourned appropriated
81 funds for the construction of the new
battleships Florida and Utah. It is
Mr.. Roosevelt's intention, however, to
have the two new ships as powerful
and as efficient as they can be made.
# they are to be built along the sane
general lines ofsthe North Dakota and
Delaware, he will insist on knowing
whether they are recognized as first
class. II there is any difference Of
poinion he wants to know it.
While Commander Keys report has
not been given out by the president
it is expected that one of the chief
criticisms made relates to the arma
ment. The manner in which the ten
heavy tWelYe-inch guns were mounted
was matter Of discussion at the timt
the plans were drawn, but the bureau
Of ordnance declined to premit any
interference.
1t would surprise no one If Mr.
Roosevelt abolished the present nava
board on construction and substituted
for 1t board Of design with a who'll.
Sa different membership.
In anticipation Of the meeting thu
STAFF of the war college already hal
taken up the question of designs TO
future battleships. These will be con
sidered at the coming meeting. In th,
opinion of naval officers stations,
there is every prospect for the great
I est row in years In the department
1t may mean the deposition Of severa
Of the older officers, who have rul
affairs practically at their own viii 70
G many wears I'll S