Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-15

Gunnery, by Lissak. page $50. which shows
that this shell would destroy battleship at
even distance of fifteen feet from It, Hence
charge is laid and should be investigated:
S. Ordnance officers of this country for tho
past fifteen twenty years nave been in pos.
session Of safe torpedo shell that could destroy
any ship at any range Within the limit fixed by
visual and other conditions but, notwlthstand
ing this, such shell have not been adopted for
the service and our ships have not been con-
structed either to employ them or meet the
change that would result II other navles
adopted them
Tests of these shell have shown that by
means Of them not only can ships be sunk at
extreme ranges, but also irrespective of their
armor protection, their most favorable point
Of attack is below the water line. Has this
recognized destructive effect OF torpedo shell
which discounts the use Of armor plate been
the cause OF the vigorous opposition to their
adoption? Has their use been opposed because
their adoption would at once extend the de-
structtve range of all the primary guns on all
our battleships and thereby prevent such ships
from ever becoming obsoete2 Has their use
been opposed because their adoption would
nestroy the basis OF the permanent naval build
ing programme dear to many? Those back
OF this opposition should be permitted to give
the reasons therefor. and these reasons should
be weighed and tested by searching invests
cation.
The immediate cause for this request for
hearing in the hope of securing an investiga-
ton has been the arrogant act of the Naval
Chief Of Ordnance, who has refused to carry
out tests with either of two types of torpedo
shell IN which am interested and as requested
by the House Subcommittee OH Ordnance
Tests, but who has at the same time carried
out test with one of these shell in utter dis.
regard of the wishes of either the House com.
mittee or myself which for high-handed dis.
regard for the interests of the navy and of
this country stands without parallel in the
history OF his department, and am informed,
having thereby secured the material for an
unfayorable report, the caisson employed in
the test was blown up and destroyed, thereby
preventing further tests to disprove the In
accuracy of the reports and conclusions OBJ.
tanned and uttered by the department.
II Is recognized that saw may be proven
TO Do worthless II tested means to drive
nails. Likewise q hammer may be proven
worthless as means for cutting off TIMBER
but a test to prove their efficiency should be
made under such conditions as they are de.
signed to be used. and am informed by many
Members of Congress who received Invitations
TO be present at test requested by the House
Committee on Ordnance Tests that they ex-
pect such test to take place. am also In.
formed that If the subterfuge of blowing up
the caisson has been resorted to In order to
prevent the result of an honest test from stop.
ping contracts for battleships or shell the blame
Will be placed where 1t belongs
The issue Is not the Isham she'll or anyhodv,s
shell In particular. The question is whether
the ordnance officers shall prevent the use of
any torpedo shell because they lessen the dc.
mand for armor plate and for new ships. This
issue, 1t is submitted, should be decided by an
mVestlgatlon and by honest tests, and 1t is be-.
heyed that it will be 30 decided.
Believing that the few serious cborpee have
IN made can be established by the honest az.
Hcers COMPOSING 95 per cent of those I'm the
sef'ice, anu That searching inyestiea tjop will
Ssuit III great good to our navy, | Respectfully
-equese tnat such an investigation be made