Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-03-10
Secretary MetcaIfS Opinion of
American War Vessels as
Voiced Before Senate COM
mittee of Inquiry,
LOCATION OF ARM0R BELT
SUITS ADMIRAL EVANS
Rear Admiral Goodrich ADJ
mitS Vessels are Good, But
Thinks They Could Be I'M
proved Upon,

IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire.l
Washington, March 9-Testimony
was adduced today before the senate
committee on naval affairs which Is
investigating the criticisms of battle
ship construction, showing that the
location of the armor belt of Amerl-
can battleships was too low. on the
other hand a letter from Secretary
Metcalf was read, declaring 1t to be
the opinion of the board Of construc-
ton and Rear Admirals Evans and
BrOwnson, that the afmor belt lines
of the battleships Delaware and
North Dakota We're right. The secre-
tary in his communication took Oc-
casion to declare that the American
battleships were superior to those Of
any other navy. The witnesses today
We're Lieutenant Commander Richard
d White. assistant inspector of target
practice, and Rear Admirals George
G. Ramey and c. f, Goodrich
Interest attached to Admiral Good
rich's testimony because after the
publication of the Rueterdahl article
he said in an Interview that he had
called attention years before to such
defects as were alleged by Rueter
dahl
He asserted that he believed the
American ships to be good, but that
they could be made better. He was
asked by Mr.. Hale if he would sub
scribe to Rueterdahl's statement that
If our ships went into action they
would be no better Off than the Rus
sian ships when they went into bat
tie with the Japanese.
"Oh, no, sir" replied he, his posi-
tive manner indicating that he thought
there could be no comparison 1t was
evident that Admiral Goodrich was
seeking to precpitate a controversy. |
He was asked about the German navy
sticking" to the 11-inch gun. The !
admiral said the 12-inch gun was bet |
ter than the 11-inch and the 13-inch /
better than the 12-inch. He was
about to leave the stand when Senator |
Tillman called attention to the fact |
that Commander Sims a few days ago /
gave the name of Admiral Goodrich |
as one of the men who will cOrrobor
ate him in the declaration that the |
department would not accept officers /
criticisms The admiral looked an
nOyed.
Have you made reports to the de-
partment critcisng any matter Of /
construction" asked Mr. Tllman
Ihave," replied the admiral and, /
answering other questions, said he had |
criticised the location of the ar.uor !
What do you think about jt?"
asked Mr.. Tillman.
81 think just as Admiral Rcney
does. | have adopted his expression" |
said the witness sarcastCally.
Pressed for more definite replies ,
the witness said he thought the armor
belt too low He thought the water
line should approximately divide the .
armOr belt with half above and half /
below the water line. 1t was sug-
sested by Chairman Hale that a
chance would have been taken as to
the condition of the sea at the time
the ship went into action.
THE whole naval life" Mr.. Sen
ator, lis a chance" the witness re-
marked.
Mr.. Tillman returned to the charge
that officers had been discouraged .
from making suggestions or criticisms,
and demanded Admiral Goodrichs
experience.
81 have made several suggestions
which have not borne fruit DO you
want specific Instance"
Il want something tangible" re-
piled Senator Tillman.
Admiral Goodrich said that in 1902
he had recommended abolition Of the
military masts with their fighting
tops. He said these masts were heavy
and he knew of no instance where
they We're of value. The ships now
being designed, the Admiral said, do
not have these fighting tops.
Then the suggestion did not fail
on barren ground" said Mr.. Tillmau.
lcannot flatter myself that my
letter had anything to do with the
decision to do away with this feature
said the admiral.
AT least you can say i told you
So persisted Mr. Tillman,
Like the chairman, l have New
England conscience" replied the adj
miraL ! cannot take the credit"
The hearing will be resumed to-
morrow at 1890 a. m.