The Washington herald., 1908-03-12
KEY FOR The ONE-MAN PLAN
Would Have Single Officer Rule Con-
struction IN the Navy.
BlRmes Board System for Defects,
Aid 10 President Light.

/ commander A. l. Key, former naval aid
20 the President. was again heard before
the Senate Naval Com1aittee yesterday
on the construction work OF the navy.
/ He was allowed 10 lay before the COM
mittee the information he offered Tues
day, but which Chairman Hale refused
to receive until the matter had been con-
| sidered IN executive session The infor-
nation was less sensational than was in
/ timated by Commander Key.
/ He promised his testimony upon the
recommendation OF the Walker board
made May Is. 1896 and approved by the
Secretary OF the Navy, showing that the
normal draft OF n ship should be fixed
/ by the normal weight she carried. In the
ships constructed since that time the nor
NAL draft fixed by designers was ficti-
tious. he said hence the armor belt was
not carried sufficiently high above the
water line.
The contention on this particular point
between the bureau chiefs and the criti-
cal officers Of the line seems 20 have been
all along more a matter OF disagreement
as TO what the normal fighting weight Of
a ship would be than a disagreement on
the technical question OF the height or
depth Of the aTmOr belt
II is known and not denied by the Con-
struction Bureau that the ships sailed
with their armor belts close 70 the water
line on leaving Hampton Roads The
Construction Bureau explains that these
ships were then laden for long cruise:
that each day OF steaming would Tighten
the load and heighten the aTmor belt
as the ships rose in the water. Ships
went into action with fuel supply
low. provisions reduced TO a minimum.
and the ships stripped OF interior fur
nishings necessary TO the comfort of
officers and men in time OF peace. BY
this process, the Construction Bureau
has contended. me armor belt could be
raised as much as three feet On the
basis OF weight under these circum-
stances, the structural designs were made.
The opposition seems 10 hold the view
that the stripping OF ships in this man
ner 20 their minimum weight depends
on the place Of action. on the distance
from their base the ships must engage
the enemy. or whether the battle is
fought in emergency or by a preconceived
plan
Commander Key presented a table
showing details Of construction OF the
ships built since the recommendations
OF the Walker board. tending 10 show
that the recommendations had been dis
regarded; that the ships. at best, were
too heavy.
IF Admiral Walkers board made rec
concentrations which have been disre-
garded. who Is responsible?" inquired Mr..
Tillman.
The Board OF Construction is response
BILE" replied Commander Key
Asked for remedy, Commander Key
replied that some officer ought to be ap-
pointed to make designs and held re-
sponsible by law. He expressed the
opinion that II one officer were made re-
spOnsible by law the confusion might be
avoided.
Il think the scheme here is 10 create a
board of design and put some man in
authority over the Secretary Of the Navy
and everybody else" interposed Mr.. Hale.
Curiosity was manifested by members
Of the committee to learn the exact re-
lations which the naval aid to the Pres
ident bears TO naval construction.
What were your duties as naval aid?"
Commander Key hesitated, reddened and
answered: They were largely social L
appeared in uniform at official functions"
did you make communications TO
the President on naval matters?" inquired
Senator Martin, OF Virginia
No; that is not a part OF the duty
Of naval aid to the President
Then I see no need for a naval aid,
remarked Mr. Martin.
Commander Key condemned the direct
hoist for ammunition and advocated the
Isolation OF the handling room" Fail
Ure 10 follow that principle in construc-
ton, he asserted. was responsible for the
accident on the Missouri