The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-26


\ verse, retired, president of
the Board OF Construction,
4 and Rear-Admral Capps, chief of the
Bureau of Construction and Repairs
were before the Senate Committee on
Naval Affairs to-day in the investiga-
tion of charges against the navy made
by Henry Reuterdahl in recent mag
azine article. The charges were taken
up in the order they appeared in the
article, and at the conclusion OF the
| extended refutations by Admiral Con-
| verse 1t was stated by Senator Per-
! kins that the apologies OF the commit
tee were due the officers for having
called them to answer such charges
! Chairman Hale assented in this view.
and no member OF the committee took
issue.
Make Short Work of 1t.
| This incident at the conclusion of
the first days proceedings is thought
| to indicate that the inquiry will be
short. 1t has not been determined
whether the committee will enter upon
an investigation of any subject ex-
cept those embraced in the criticisms
of battieship construction. It is likely
that the entire inquiry will be conclud-
ed before the naval appropriation bill
is taken UP.
The development Of personal interest
in the testimony of Admiral Converse
was that two Of the charges made by
MIR. Reuterdahl were in language sim
liar to that used by Commander Sims,
naval aid to the President, and Lieu
tenant Commander Hill in articles
which they prepared and submitted to
the Secretary of the Navy at his re-
quest. He disclaimed any purpose to
indicate that these articles or state
ments of these officers had been the
inspiration for the Reuterdahl attack
upon the navy. Nevertheless, these
officers are 20 be called before the
committee
Secretary Metcalf will also be wit
ness. No decision has been reached as
to what persons will be called as wit.
nesses outside of officers of the navy.
Followed Line of Reports.
Before Admiral Converse had pro-
ceeded far to-day Senator callinset
suggested that tile admiral state ,Sho
Mr.. Reuterdahl is. The author of the
article was described as an artist who
had ben employed by the Navy Depart
ment for a time in designing gun
prize trophies, and 1t was stated that
in that connection he had been with
battleships in action on several occa-
sions. Undoubtedly he had opportu-
mites for seeing and conversing with
officers" said the admiral, that few
In his position would have
1t was asserted that Mr.. Reuterdahl
GER
DO YOU have reason to think that
some officer or officers of the navy may
have inspired this attack upon the
navy?" asked Senator Tillman.
Admiral Converse said he did not
know that any officer had suggested
the attack, but he explained that Off
GERS make reports on various subjects
at the request of the Secretary of the
Navy.
He said that in one report. made in
1908 by then Lieutenant Commander
Sims he had made reference to the
characteristics OF the Mississippi and
Id-~o, which We're to be built, and an
other article had been written by Lieu
nant-Commander Hill in regard to-
the location of the armor belt. HeI
said that Reuterdahl had made criti-
cisns of two features OF construction
in almost the identical terms employed
III the articles in question.
Board Was Unanimous.
"Was there any difference of opin-
ion among members of the board q
construction in regard to matters such
turret construction and ammunition
shoists?" was asked.
The members Of the board Were
unanimous in approving the designs
used" was the reply.
The admiral then stated that al
change had been made in the ,turrot|
construction of the Delaware type.
which is now building, in that two
stage ammunition hoist had been au-
th"r.Iec.
He said this change had not been
made with any idea from additional
safety, but because greater speed was
possible He declared that not a single
accident that has happened on any Of
the American hattleships had been due
to the open turret; that all OF the ac-
cidents had originated at the breech Of
the gun, and that the obvious remedy
is additional screens between the
breech and the ammunition charges
prepared for reloading.
Mr.. Hale directed the witness atten-
tion to that portion OF the Reuterdahl
article which criticized American ves-
sells for having their armor belt sub
merged, while foreign vessels are CON
structed with the belt above the water
line. After an extended discussion it
apparel that the comparison made by
Mr.. Reuterdahl was of American ves-
sells loaded and prepared for long voy-
ages and foreign vessels In lighting
trim.
1t was shown that the greatest over.
draft in the American navy is on
the Virginia, and amounts to eleven
inches, while sister ship, the Georgia
is nine inches overdraft. In other
types the overdraft was declared to
average six inches.
South Carolinn Type Best.
Calling attention to battleships OF
the South Carolina type. Mr.. Hale ask
ed Admiral Converse II he would not
be wiling to take his chance on such