The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-12
NAVAL AIDES DUTIES
CHIEFLY TO ATTEND WHITE
 HOUSE FUNCTIONS.
This was Pnrt sf Tesffmony Brought Out by Commandef Key Yes
 terday In the Naval in-
 vestianfion.

vestienfion. Ut Fs. l+t
 wsshingtcn, March 1l.--When Com mander A. l.. Key. former naval aide to the President resumed his testimony before the Senate Naval Affairs Com mittee today, Chairman Hale caution ed him that he would proceed only under the rules of the Committee, add ing:
 your own knowledge and observation. It Is not part of the conditions laid down by this committee Tor one w.t. ness to take up the testimony of an other witness and close testimony. he believes to be misleading.
 Commander Key agreed to comply with this ruling. He then proceeded to compare American ships constructed since 1889 with other ships built in the same period. His diagrams tended to show that American vessels are overdraft to greater degree than the English ships. He agreed with Ad- mirai Reniey and Captain Winslow that ships should carry full bunkers of coal when they 20 into action and he said that not to do so would be ''preposter- ous." His observations in regard to the draft of vessels were that she ae- Isse. that Is hatteship's normal draft should be her lighting draft. not her maximum draft. with full stores on board" had been disresarded by the naval constructors.
 How are we to remedy these all leged violations of the law asked MT. Tillman. who also wanted to know what guarantee Congress has that good fighting ships would be built with the money appropriated. This led to a general discussion and Commander Key suggested that the general boards which are not responsible under the law. have too much authority. This statement provoked such differences of opinion that Chairman Hale staered the debate into other channels.
 You were naval aide to the Presi- dent: what were your duties?' asked Mir. Tillman.
 'Chiefiy to attend functions at the White House." the Commander began, but he was interrupted by Mr. Tillman who said:
 Tn uniform, just as an ornament?" replied.
 "The naval aide goes with the Pres ident on trips to visit ships or on voy- ages. He ls sort of an attendant.
 MT. Martin wanted to know if the atue is not expected to advise the Pres- idsnt in regard to the naval program and other matters.
 TT the President had a young ofiicer In that capacity his advice would be resented by other oficerA tIA.k." said the Commander.
 Chairman Hale questioned Com mander Key about the work he had done while naval aide to the Presiaant In endeavorhg to promote the chances for naval personnel legislation.
 NY enorts were purely personal and had no connection with my duties at the White House" the Commander said
 I did not think that being aide to me Presldent had lost my personal inde-
 But you do think such duties lsasan. i. cd vour in1uence?" asked Mir. Hale. My work was entirely with ofacers and not with congressmen.' the wit ness replied.
 Senator Tiilman called attention to the campaign conducted by midshipmen tor the personnel bill and Commander Key denied that he was responsible for that campafkn.
 The witness explained his reasons for helieving that it was not necessary to extend the armor belt more than five feet below tho '-actual" water line and the adyisability of having the re- nialnder of the arIn0r above the water line. He criticized q number of the American ships on the ground that the hreboard was insufficient in heavy seas, the effect being that the gun cheeks were so low that the big guns could not be tired in such seas. He found flaws also in the turrets and ammuni- ton hoistE.
 Commander Key said that the Amer ican is the only one in the world that has hung onto" q type of hoist which does not isolate the handling room from the guns.
 Mir. TilIman was anxious to know who was responeihlA for this fact and asked how long the American navy had persisted In keeping this type. six years, since the dangers of this hoist has become positively known" said the witness. "In that time 1t has cost fifteen lives"
 "six years." repeated MT. Tillman. "That is one year less than Mr. Roose- welt has been President. and he came from the Navy Department and is sup posed to know about these faults"
 Commander Key said that the fifteen lives were unnecessarily sacrificed" but that the Chief of Ordnance has now asked for more than 42.0o0.000 in order to correct the defects in the hoistS.
 In concluding his testimony. tiie com mander paid a great tribute to tho American Navy and especially the gun nery.
 Tt Is a fine thing" he said. "that a young man. green from a farm in the west, can be taken on a ship now and drilled so that in three months, he can make hit with one of the big guns in every forty seconds" ',A
 The committee decided In executive session not to take further testimony concerning the criticisms of structural matters, and to decide at another meet ing what other matters will be taken up.