New-York tribune., 1911-04-20
NAVAL ORDNANCE
BUREAU UNDER FIRE
Investigation Said To Be the
Cause of Admiral Mason'S
Resignation.
REPRIMAND RECOMMENDED
Sinking of the Puritan and the
Knight Case Figure in the
Trouble-Secretary Meyer
Making Inquiry.
TFron The Tribune Bureau.

Washington, April 19-The naval bu-
investigation ordered by the Secretary
OF the Navy has been in progress for
two months or more at the Washington
Navy Yard, and is likely TO be followed
by an investigation by Congress. This
it is said. Is the real reason Of the receh'
resignation OF Rear Admiral Mason. long
it's chief The department investigation
is being conducted by board Of rear
admirals.
For some weeks il has been apparent
that the bureau was under fire, and
part of the trouble has been the court
martialllng of Captain A. NJ. knight
whose case has now. after more than
months delay, been returned to the
court on account of alleged technical
gularities.v IL 1t Is the expectation
in any quarter that the court will amend
its exoneration OF Captain Knight. there
will be disappointment, for 1t is known
that the court will adhere to its findings.
which fully exonerated Captain knight.
That officer has not been officlally IN
formed Of the result OF his trial, and IS
described as being on the verge or q
nervous breakdown. Added 10 his ofti-
cial trouble has come the death Of his
wife. while his promotion TO the grade
of rear admiral, in which ne would be
the youngest officer to attain the rank
has been delayed until the proceedings
of the court were formally and finally
approved.
Nothing is made public at the depart
ment concerning the proceedings OF the
board which has been investigating the
Bureau of Ordnance, with special refer
cnce to accidents. including fatalities,
which have occurred al the naval prov
ing grounds at Indian Head, Md. PROB
ablv little or nothing concerning the
findings of that board will be given out
urless il should be recommended that
further proceedings be held. Rear Ad-
miral Mason has been greatly worried
over the situation, and before MS resis-
nation was on leave of absence on ac-
count Of i'll health II has become
known, incidentally, that he was recon-
mended for reprimand in connection
with the sinking of the Puritan TOT
which Captain Knight has been tried by
a court martial
The situation with respect to HIKING the
blame for the sinking Of the puritan a'
alleged by friends OF Captain hnlshI' iS
that if he is found to have done MS duty
in all respects the blame for allowing
the vessel 10 sink must rest on Rear
Admiral William a. Marshall COM
mandant at Norfolk.
1t is asserted that the evidence oelore
the court-martial was TO the erect thac
knight advised Marshall by telephone OF
the condition Of the Puritan, but that. In
spite Of this, she was not towed TO dock
The friends of Captain Knight believe
that there has been undue delay in de-
termning his case. but that phase is not
likely 10 engage the attention OF Con-
gress. There have been some complaints
concerning the administration Of the
Ordnance Bureau, especially on the part
of Representative Hobson. who IS a
member OF the House Naval Committee.
and is responsible for the legislation
which compelled the bureau TO conduct
certain tests with high explosives at long
ranges. despite the statement on the part
of the former chief Of ordnance that fir
ing under such conditions could not be
held II is possible that Rear Admiral
Mason's resignation will discourage any
intention at the Capitol TO make an in
vestigation. but in the sessions likely 10
be held by the committee To consider
Navy Department administration, it is
possible that the situation will he the
object OF inquiry.