The Washington herald., 1908-03-04
Prof. AIger Says Santiago
Workmanship Was Poor.
FLETCHER TAKES OTHER SIDE
Ordnance officer Declares American
Nsvy's Showing In Spanish War
Was Never EquaIed-sims ResDOn-
sibIe for Improvement in Naval
Gunnery-Witness Sees No Danger.

made by Commander W. s. Sims against
the United States navy, on account Of
the results OF the spanish-American war,
were repeated yesterday before the Senate
lCommittee on Naval Affairs by Prof
Philip r. Alger. OF the Naval Academy,
The results Of the examination OF the
Spanish ships made by Prof Alger. fol-
lowing the battle OF Santiago. showed
that out OF 5000 shots ired, the percent
age OF hits was less than four.
"The only reason for the poor show
ing said Prof. Alger was the inaceu-
racy OF the men on the American ships
The men did not know how TO shoot at
Santiago"
Mr.. Tillman expressed surprise that the
navy should make such poor showing
in battle compared with its record for
target practice.
The witness replied that the reason for
the Improvement in craftsmanship now
made. 30 per cent OF hits at target prac-
tice, was due to new methods
borrowed System from British.
These methods" he said. " were first
introduced in the British navy by Com
mander Scott. Commander Sims. while
Re was stationed IN England. became ac-
lquainted with these new methods through
HIS acquaintanceship and friendship with
Commander Scott. He was so certain OF
the method known as the 'dotter' that he
urged it's introduction into the American
navy"
Prof. Alger declared that the new meth
Cd brought over by Commander Sims had
Z ~o--,TrrFF,vf-,9
-Four witnesses were heard yesterday by
the committee, which is investigating
the charges made against naval eonstrue-
tion. The testimony % all OF them dealt
with the turret construction and the
| handling OF ammunition on shipboard
The witnesses were Commander r. +.
Fletcher, Prof Philip r. Alger, Of the
United States Naval Academy, expert in
! ordnance: Lieut. Commander Joseph
straus. on duty AZ the government pow
der factory al the naval proving ground
al Indian Head. and Lieut. Commander
v o. Chase. assistant 10 Rear Admiral
/ Caps. chief constructor.
Fletcher COntradicts Sims.
Commander Fletcher. who Is attached
10 the Bureau Of Ordnance. contradicted
the statements made on Monday by Com
mander Sims regarding the efficiency Of
the craftsmanship Of the navy. He said
the record in the Spanish-American war
/ could not be excelled by any navy in the
world. Commander Sims TO the contrary
notwithstanding.
He expressed the belief that the danger
! from an explosion OF powder in the
handling room of the turret had been
greatly exaggerated AT the time of the
accident on the Missouri 700 pounds OF
powder b6rned without seriously damag-
ing the ship" said he. Mr. Tillman sug-
/ gested that the appalling loss OF life was
| something OF disaster.
Commander Fletcher explained that all
the turrets we're being changed as rapidly
as possible to insure greater safety.
Those on the Oregon and Indiana were
examples. The fact that these changes
are being made would indicate 70 my
mind that the direct hoists are danger
GUS said Mr.. Tgllman.
Keep Tabs on Factories.
Prof. Ayers testimony dealt principally
with the dangers attending the handling
OF powder. This testimony developed the
fact that Rear Admiral Converse dis
covered. while at the head OF the ord
nance bureau. that the powder charges
were in many instances under weight.
and TO prevent short weights in the
future he placed one commissioned Off
Ger at each powder factory. and increased
\ the number OF warrant officers from one
70 three. All OF this was IN the interest
OF more rigid inspection.
! Lieut.. Commander Joseph Straus testi-
fed that the danger OF an explosion from
! powder in the handling room was greatly
| exaggerated by the navy critics. a
great deal OF powder can be burned I'm
the handling room without doing much
damage 10 the room" said ne AS
rule. powder burns with flame. and
seldom explodes."
Might SuROcate Handlers.
The officer admitted. however. when
questioned by Mr.. Tillmsn. that the burn
ing Of powder in a close room would pro-
duce fumes which might suffOcate those
in the room. but insisted that there was
little danger to the ship.
The course Of the examination turned
upon the manufacture OF powder at In
dian Head Lieut. Commander Strsas
stated that the output daily. working
twenty-four hours, was $500 pounds. The
government purchased nearly - per cent
Of all the powder II used, and paid So
cents pound for powder while the cost
Of manufacture at the government plant
was A cents. AS an expert in the hand
ling and use OF powder. the officer ex-
pressed the opinion that the accidents
that have occurred in the United States
navy could not have been prevented by
different tur-'et construction.
Lieut.. Commander V. o. Chase, an as
sistant IN the Bureau of Construction and
Repair. was the last witness Of the day
and was on the stand but ten minutes
He said that the interrupted ammunition
hoist would give slightly greater de-
gree of safety than the direct hoist. He
believed the danger from the direct hoist
was imperceptible.
Says Rules Are Violated
Most of the accidents that had occurred
/ In the United States navy were due to
the violation OF regulations at target
practice in an effort TO get greater rap
ldity OF firing AS an illustration. he said.
the regulations prescribe that a certain
type of rammer shall be used TO clear
the bore OF the gun OF burning gases
after the charge is fired. And yet this
hammer was seldom or never used. There
were many other violations Greater rap
idity was maintained at target practice
than would be attained in actual battle.
and there would be more strict obsery-
ance Of regulations in actual conflict
Would Remove Pulp Duty.
A bill was introduced yesterday by Rep |
resentative Stevens, OF Minnesota. pro-
v:dlng for the removal OF the customs |