The Washington times., 1908-03-11
NAVAL COMMITTEE
HITS At POLITICS
IN DEPART RENT
Tillman and Hale Think
That Secretaries Are
inefficient.

Senator Tinman declared today. at
The meeting OF the Senate Committee
Ola Naval Affairs. that President ROOse-
veIt's political promotions are made in
The Navy Department, even if the navy
suffers from the lack oil knowledge OF
the secretaries. The Senator also de-
manded 10 know who could be held re-
sponsible fOv the alleged inefficient con-
duct of the office Of the Secretary OF
the Navy.
Senator Tnlman apparently voiced the
sentiments of the committee, none Of
the members Of which showed dispo-
sition 10 go 20 the Presidents defense
Senator Hale, chairman of the commit
tee, expressed the INjef that some ac-
ton would be taken 10 make some one
superior in rank 10 the Secretary Of the
Navy responsible for the work Of that
department.
Senator THlman also referred caustic-
ally to President Roosevelt's naval pro-
gram. IF we are going To have this
war that is talked of up the Avenue
he said don't YOU think we ought 10
set about buying some coalpg stations,
etc ,"
Mr.. THIman insisted that the Secre-
taries OF the Navy must OF necessity be
inefficient because of their lack OF
knOWledgr of the subject ano because or
the constant changes,
desirable" said Mr.. Tillman. even II
the Nav Department does suffer. Hat
Ire time We don't know where we are
'.Aad yet they want four more battle
ships" remarked Senator Hale, |sarcas-
ttCally
Commander Key Testifes.
we have tweuty-nine ships now in
commission and building" continued
Senator Tillman. There is a clamOr
for more. We want to know whether
the present ships can be overhauled,
made less vulnerable and continued in
the navy The Oregon and other ships
are now obsolete. want 10 know who
is responsible for the disobedience Of
the Walker Board recommendations"
Commander Key replied that he sup
posed the Board OF Construction IS re-
SpOnsible Tor the failure to carry out
the instructions made by the Walker
Board and approved by the then Sec
retdry of the Navy
with the constant changes going on
Ia the Office of the Secretary of the
Navy said Mr.. Tillman, lit is impos-
slDie for Secretary TO become ac-
qualnted with his work, is 1t mote He
must get mis- advice and information
from naval officers and from the bu-
rcausg'
Yes, sir"
Senator Hale expressed the opinion.
apparently answering the observations
OF Senator Iillman, that at some fu-
turs date Congress would undoubtedly
consider the feasibility OF putting some
enc with actual knowledge ia as Secre-
senator Martin asked Commander
Key 20 describe. the duties performed
10y him when acting as naval AIDE TO the
President. The officers reply that his
duties were purely social and personal
caused some surprise.
In other words" said Mr.. Tillman,
you were an ornament as naval aide
10 the President and mere figure at
social functiOns?'
Yes. sir"
Senator Hale asked the witness if he
did not take great interest ia the per
s0nnel bill az the last session Of Con-
gress, while acting as aide TO the Presi-
dent.
Commander Key replied that he was
interested in the bill but confined his
efforts To officers.
Fleet Not Efficient.
still" said Senator Hale. "as a naval
aid TO the President, you die not con-
slider that being aid your efforts had
less influence"
Commander Key protested that he had
worked only among brother officers and
had never talked with members Of Con-
gTess about the bill.
When Commander Key took the wit
ness stand today Senator Hale warned
him that he must cOnfine himself 10
statements of his c1n knowledge and
observation, and that he must not Il
tempt to critiCise the testimony of other
officers.
At the outset Of his testimony the wit
ness supplied the committee members
with diagrams ana tables to which he
frequently referred during his testimony
for purposes of comparison between
ships of this country and England He
said that the Mississippi and Idaho
class OF ships In our navy are twelve
years behind the English design. In
Admiral Evans fleet, he said, there are
seven ships which would not be able to
fight effectively in a heavy sea and in
the event of a threatened Engagement
the commanding officer would be COM
PEELED 10 postpone action.