The Washington herald., 1908-03-03

Commander William S. Sims. naval aid
10 President Roosevelt and inspector OF
target practice for the navy, rather stirred
things u yesterday in the Senate Com
mittee on Naval Affairs. which IS il
vestigatins the published criticisms that
American war ship construction is defect
i've and the Navy Departments bureau
system obsolete.
The fact that Commander Sims has been
suspected OF having furnished material TO
Henry ReuteIdahl and others Cor their
criticisms added interest TO his testimony,
but the frank declaration OF the witness
that he had been for twelve years point
ing out 70 the Navy Department. IN an
Official way, the alleged defects which are
now being investigated. made the com
mittee SIT up and take notice.
/ Undeterred by some ironicai and sar-
castle comments at his expense, Com
mander Sims went ahead with his speci-
hcstions Of what was wrong with ths
navy. He had several tiltsvwith members
of the committee.
Calls MarkSmanShip Disgrace.
In the course or his remarks he de-
clared that the craftsmanship Of the
American navy in the Spanish war was
the most disgraceful exhibition OF IN
efficiency ever witnessed In the world.
/ He accused Rear Admiral George a.
Converse and Chief Constructor. Wash
ington Lee Caps, who had given testi-
mony before the committee. Of having
made false and misleading statements.
Chief Constructor Capps. who was pres
ent and undertook to cross-examine Com
mander Sims. got such responses as 7
have never said 81 and that's not So
At one tine he said 10 the chief con-
structor: You put my statement about
one thing with what I said about an
other. and from the two you make out
false statement" but Commander Sims
was careful TO add Inadvertently. OF
course.
I think myself it is well for you 10
modify that statement" the chief con-
structor came back.
RaSps Senator's Feelings.
When Commander Sims was before the
COMMITTEES On Saturday. he said scme
things that plainly rasped the feelings OF
committee members. and there was an
echo yesterday OF sthe feeling then en-
gendered- At ore time Commander Sims
wanted to tell something about the Navy
\ Department. resistance OF criticism, and
Chairman Hale quickly retorted, not for
you"
Most OF what Commander Sims had 70
say was contained in prepared state
ment. which he read to the committee.
In this he referred 20 the reports %
Rear Admiral Converse and Of Chief Cen
structor Capps as misleading in many
important respects
1t was just before the close Of his
statement that Commander Sims declared
that the gunnery Of the United States
feet at Santiago was the most disgrace
ful exhibition that ever took place on
the face Of this globe"
The percentage Of hits. he claimed. was
less than four. The Spaniards," he
said. were in a woefuI condition. or they
would have escaped entirely"
Believes Belt Il Too Low.
/ For many years Commander Sims. who Is
the navy expert on target practice. has been
criticising the position OF the armor bei;.
The officer told the committee yesterday
that he professed no knowledge except
as 10 the armor placement He be-
llievea the ar.Ror belt was TOO low.
'1ow much ought tie armor belt be
raised?" inquired Senator Hale.
I answer as practical navy man.
rather than as a scientific man" replied
Commander Sims. He expressed the opin-
ion that any ship which went out 10
sea without ful. supply Of coal aboard
would incur a great risk, and ought 20
subject the commander 70 court-nlartial.
because ne could not see how FAR he
would have 10 steam before replenish-
ing his stores. Therefore, the armor belt
ought 20 be designed with reference to
full coal aboard.
Below water, Though Light"
Taking that view, Commander Sims in
vited the attention OF the committee 10
the fact that when Admiral Evans feet
/ left Trinidad the vessels had fun stores
OF coal aboard, and after stesming 3eO8
miles. some OF the vessels had prac-
/ ticaIly exhausted their stores OF ccal
and there was some anxiety that the
coal supply was not sufficient TO enable
them 10 reach Rio But when The YES
sells arrived the armer belts of the
ships were below the water line at de-
grees varying from zero to one and one
half feet.
Rear Admiral Capps sharply questioned
Commander Sims. and a direct question OF
veraei,y arose between them.
II never said that" shouted Com
rnander Sins. when Admiral Capps read
his own notes Of the testimony of Com
mander sims as the basis for question.
The official photographers notes VIII
bear me out" calmly remarked admiral
Capps.
You have put together two OF my
statements and made a false statement
Continued on Page 1, Column 6.