Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-11
SACRIFICE OF LIVES
Retention of 0ld-StyIe Ammu-
milton HOSTS.
FLAWS IN THE TURRETS
Naval Construction Criticised by
Commander Key.
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF LAW
Hearing Resumed by the Senate
Naval Affairs Committee-Trib-
ute to Gunners' Skill.

| Before Commander A. L. Key, former
naval aid to the President. resumed his
testimony before the Senate naval af-
fairs committee today Chairman Hale
made statement in reference to yes
terday's controversy when the witness
showed a disposition to attack the
testimony given by Chief Constructor
Caps and other Official champions of
American methods Of construction.
| You may go on under the rules of
the committee" warned Mr.. Hale. You
may make statements from your own
knowledge and observation. 1t is not a
part Of the conditions laid down by this
committee for one witness to take up
the testimony Of another witness and
criticise testimony he believes to be
misleading"
! Commander Key agreed to comply
with this ruling. He then proceeded to
compare American ships constructed
since 1899 with British ships built in
the same period His diagrams tended
to show that American vessels are over
draft to greater degree than the Eng
lish ships. He agreed with Admiral
Remey and Capt. Winslow that ships
should carry full bunkers of coal when
they go into action, and he said that
His observations in regard to the draft
| OF vessels were that the decision of the
Walker board of May 1s. 1896. that "a
battleship's normal draft should be her
| nghtlng draft, not her maximum draft
with full stores on board" had been
disregarded by the naval constructors
| How are we to remedy these alleged
violations Of the law?' asked Mr.. Till
man. who also wanted to know what
guarantee Congress has that good fight
ing ships would be built with the money
appropriated.
This led to a general discussion and
Commander Key suggested that the gen
erai boards. which are not responsible
| under the law, have too much authority.
| This statement provoked such differ
ences Of opinion that Chairman Hale
steered the debate into other channels.
Duties of Naval Aid.
''You were naval aid to the President;
what we're your duties?'' asked Mr.. Till
! man.
Chiefly to attend functions at the
White House. the commander began,
but he was interrupted by Mr.. Tfllman,
| who said:
I'm uniform, Just as an ornament?'
| "Oh, no. sir, not at ALL the witness re-
piled: The naval aid goes with the
| President on trips to visit ships, or on
voyages. He is a sort of An attendant"
| MIR. Martin wanted to know II the aid
| Is not expected to advise the President in
regard to the naval program and other
matters.
1T the President had a young officer In
| that capacity his advice would be re-
| sented by other officers, I Think said
| the commander.
Chairman Hale questioned Commander
Key about the work he had done while
naval aid to the President. in endeavor-
| ing to promote the chances for naval
personnel legislation.
My efforts were purely personal and
had no connection with my duties at the
| to say. II didn't think that being aid to
the President I had lost my personal in
dependence"
But you do not think such duty les
sened your infuence?" asked Mr.. Hale.
My work was entirely with officers ana
not with congressman" the witness re-
piled.
Senator Tillman called attention to the
campaign conducted by midshipmen for
the personnel bill, and Commander Key
| having instigated that campaign, but that
| 1t was untrue. He denied all RESPONSE
bility.
The witness explained in great detail
his reasons for believing that 1t was not
necessary to extend the arInor belt more
than five feet below the actual water
line and the advisability Of having the re-
mainder of the armor above the water
line He criticised a number of the Amer
| lean ships on the ground that the free
board was insufficient In heavy seas, the
ef1ect being that the gun checks were 50
low that the big guns could not be fired
in such seas. He found flaws III the tur-
rets and ammunition hoists
Old Style Ammunition Hoist.
Commander Key said that the American
is the only navy in the world that has
hung onto type of hoist which does
not isolate the handling room from the
guns.
Mr.. Tillman was anxious to know who
was responsible for this fact, and asked
how long the American navy had persisted
in keeping this type.
Six years, since the dangers of this
hoist became positively known" said the
witness. In that time it has cost fif-
teen lives
six years." repeated Mr. TilIman.
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 5000 900 in order to cor
rect the defects in the hoists.
In closing his testimony the commander
paid great tribute to the American navy.
and especially the gunnery. 1T is a fine
thing" he said. that a young man, green
from 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 every forty seconds