The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-09
Congressman HObSon Takes Up
 Recent Criticisms
CENSURE NOT ALL DESERVED
Hobson Admits Certain Defects In Ves- sells, But Says Criticism Will En- able Congress To Strengthen
 the Weak Points.

Washington, January s.-(Special)- There is no member of Congress better qualified to discuss recent criticisms of the navy than Representative Richmond Pearson Hobson of Alabama, who by virtue of his admitted Knowledge of naval matters was placed on the naval affairs committee.
 For The Age-Herald Captain Hobson to- night made the following statement:
 Recent criticisms and strictures upon our navy cover both the personnel and material. The most important of those concerning the personnel is the advanced age of our commanding officers. This criticism is well grounded, for it is only too true that our officers remain in sub ordinate positions most of their lives, and reach command when initiative and ener- gy have been sapped, and they scarcely become accustomed to the responsibilities of command when they retire. This con- dition Is in strong contrast with the regulations in the British and Japanese navies, where officers become admirals in the prime of life. For many years myeslf and the navy department have striven to secure legislation to remedy this evil, and it is to be hoped that the wide interest now taken in the matter will react upon Congress and produce remedial legislation.
 Nothing Serious.
 'The other strictures relating to the organization and administration of the navy are not of a very serious nature. Some changes are needed, particularly in the administration of navy yards. and the navy department and naval com mttee are both striving to bring about reforms in a progressive but conserva- tive and regular way. The main criticism upon the material, or the ships them selves, is about the armor belts in our battleships. This criticism would be of great importance if based upon fact, but fortunately 1t is the result of observa- tion made at time when the ships were loaded to their deep water line, which is a foot to a foot and a half deeper than the normal water line at which they would enter battle. While the belt armor is important in protect ing the region just above the water line, it's supreme importance lies in the pro- IeCtlOn Ol the TeBlol JuSl pSloW liio water line, so that when the ship rolls away from the enemy the lower edge of armor would still remain below water and no hostile shot could penetrate be- low the armor into the magazines, ma chinery and other vitals.
 Widening Armor Belts.
 "The tendency is to widen armor belts and raise them higher on the side, even though this requires a diminution of the thickness ana our practice is moving con- servatively in this direction and l be- lieve that 1t will be found as efficient as the armor of any foreign ships of the same date and the same sizes. The ques- tion of free board Is likewise loosely treated. The height of the ships sides out of water should not be carried be- yond the point necessary for serving the guns in a moderate sea way. Any addi- tonal height is gained only at the ex- pense of additional weight, which could be better assigned to guns or armor.
 "Practice has demonstrated that the freeboard in our ships is ample, being greater in all the new ships taan 1t was in the Oregon.
 ''The criticisms of the large openings, turrets and the exposure of ammunition hoists to accident are well taken. The navy department is now undertaking to remedy these defects, but they should have been remedied years ago.
 Light Is Beneficial.
 'All in all, the turning on of the -~----------~------------ --->->---~------~~-~~~---
 NJ