The Washington herald., 1908-02-26
DEFENDS The NAVY
Admiral Converse Before the
Naval Committee.
HE REPLIES TO REUTHERDAHL
Declares American Ships of War Are
Equal 10 Amy I'm the World and Elk
SatisfactiOn-Rear Admiral CappS
to BE Heard To-day by Committee.

Rear Admiral George A. Converse, re-
tired. was the first naval officer to be
heard in defense of the methods OF con-
struetion employed by the Navy Depart
ment at the hearing before the Senate
Committee on Naval Arsjrs, which be-
gan yesterday.
Rear Admiral Converse is chief of the
Board of Construction Rear Admiral
Washington Lee Caps, chief of the Blu
reau of Construction and Repair. ac-
companied Admiral Converse and made
suggestions from time to time. Among
other things, he expressed desire for an
opportunity TO cross-examine Henry
Reuterdahl, whose article in the Janu-
airy issue of McClure's Magazine, criti-
cising the bureau methods OF the navy.
was the direct cause Of the investigation
begun yesterday But Reuterdahl is now
on the battle ship Louisiana, with Rear
Admiral Evans fleet.
The full membership of the committee
was present at the hearing. and Senator
Hale. of Maine. presided Admiral Con-
verse took up each charge made in the
ReuterdahI article and replied to it.
Senator's Are Apologize.
When he had concluded. Senators Hale
and Perkins thanked him, and spoke
alphabetically Of the necessity OF calling
him before the committee TO answer
charges in magazine article. Both SEN
ators declared that the admiral had
made complete answer in REPUTATION Of
every charge"
While Admiral Converse declined TO ad-
NIT that he believed any naval officer had
inspired the article. he invited the atten-
ton or the committee 10 the fact that
certain suggestions concerning navy con-
struction in the Reuuerdahl article were
in line with recommendations in two Off
cial reports now on file with the Secre-
tary OF the Navy, Asked by Senator TIL
man 20 name these officers AdmirrI Con-
verse mentioned II names of Commander
William S. Sims and Lieut. Commander
Frank X Hin. Both officers viii be cau-
ed later.
Discusses the Criticisms.
Admiral Converse introduced his state
ment by commenting on the Reuterdahl
article Some of the criticisms are IN
important. others are so stated as 10 be
misleading. and some are absolutely
wrong" said the admiral Referring 10
the construction of the battle ship III
nois. the admiral said he regarded her as
the best constructed ship OF the three OF
that type: the Illinois, Ohio. ana Wis
consin.
THE writer OF this article states that
the modern battle ship is a simple thing
/ do not agree with him. I consider II q
very complex thing-the most complex
machine that I know or That IS one
statement Of the writer with which do
not agree"
Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire. a
member OF the committee asked Admiral
Converse whether he was familiar with
the experience Of Henry Reuterdahl
Designed Naval Trophy.
The Admiral explained that the authof
OF the marine article had once been en-
ployed as an artist TO make a design OF
a trophy to be awarded for target prac-
tice. AS such he was given permission
10 visit the fleet at target practice at
Guantanamo. The design of the trophy
submitted by Reuterdahl was accepted
by the Navy Department.
That was the first tine his name was
ever brought to my attention" said Ad-
miral Converse. Subsequently, he was
brought to my attention by photograph.
embodying HIS views Of the battle ship
of the future"
The Admiral admitted that the navy
critic had been in a position 10 converse
freely with navy officers and obtain their
views. In the Spanish war he had been
with the navy in Cuban waters as
newspaper correspondent.
Not an "'Inspired' Article.
Senator Tillman inquired whether Adj
miral Converse had reason to believe that
any naval officer had contributed 10 the
Reuterdahl article or inspired any OF the
charges IN IT,
Replying Admiral Converse said he did
not believe the article was inspired, but ne
agreed that the views as to construction
advanced by the writer had been similar
to the ideas set forth in official reports
from navy officers now on file in the de-
paTtmcnt
"Will you name those offfcers7" in
quired Mr.. Tillman.
Admiral Converse explained that he had
IN mind reports made by Lieut.. Comman-
der Sims and Lieut.. Commander Hill.
The admiral was not prepared to say that
Reuterdahl had secured his information
from the officers named. He probab
talked with men to whom these officers
had talked concerning the contents OF
their reports.
The members Of the committee showed
much interest in the admission by Adni-
raj Converse that Reuterdahl was now
with the Atlantic feet as a press repre-
sentative. aboard the louisiana
did he get permission to go after his
article appeared" inquired Senator Mar
tin.
mo. the article appeared after the feet
had sailed" replied the admiral, with a
smile.
Defends Construction Corps.
Rear Admiral Converse stout!y defended
the construction corps of the navy as to
its recommendations for turret work. and
declared that not one of the accidents
that had occurred in the United St.tes
navy had been due TO the open turret
The accidents had all originated at the
breech Of the guns At the request of
the committee. he related the circum-
stances connected with the explosions on
the Massachusetts. the Missouri. the
Kesrsarge. and the Georgia.
The flare back" was responsible for
most Of these accidents He explained
that this danger had been guarded
against by device to force the gas or
vapor responsible for the flare back"
through the gun Immediately after FIR
Ing. This gas or vapor which formed In