Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-05
OPPOSE INQUIRY into
PREPAREDNESS FOR WAR
Representatives fitzgerald and sher-
ley Take Stand Against Gard.
ner's Resolution.
CONFERENCE WITH PRESIDENT
Declare All Facts Are Available Now,
and Object to Spectacular Investi-
CATION Into Subject-Wilson Fur
Their to Consider Question.

WASHINGTON. December 4-Oppo.
sition to Representative Gardeners
resolution for an investigation by n
commission into the preparedness of
the United States for war was ex-
pressed to President Wilson to day by
Representatives Fitzgerald and Sher-
ley. ranking members Of the House APP
preparations Committee. Both told the
President they were preparing to speak
! on the subject I'm the House.
II am against any spectacular in
vestisation into this subject" said Mr.
Fitzgerald. "All the facts are avail
ablo now. and through the hear
ings before "a regular committee and
debate on the floor the question will
be thoroughly reviewed"
Mr.. Sherley told the President that
statements attributed to Mr. Gardner
that the defenscs of New York were
antiquated were incorrect He de-
clared the fortifcations of the United
States were In excellent shape. and
added that army officers had Informed
him that the defenses at New York
could destroy any attacking fleet. The
President Will go into the question
Mr.. Gardner and Senator Tillman,
chairman OF the Senate Naval Com
mittee.
REPLY TO DANIELS
MADE NJ GARDNER
ST. LOUIS. December 4.-Augustus
p. Gardner, Congressman from Massa-
chusetts. in an address before the Con-
temporary Club hero tonight, replied
to Secretary Daniels's statement re-
garding recent assertions of Mr.. Gard
ner as to the inadequacy of American
naval and military preparations.
II state without fear Of successful
contradiction he said. that the big
guns on the latest Dreadnoughts OF
Great Britain and Germany arc Of such
long range that the battleships can
stand mile and half outside the
range OF the guns on the Notifications
OF New York and dcmolish those forts
Secretary Daniels" said Mr. Gard
ner. has given out a special report
from Admiral Strauss to prove mislead-
Ing my declaration that of long-range
torpedoes there arc only 1fty-cight in
the navy
II reiterate my statement that there
arc ELL torpedo tubes on the ships OF
the navy. and there arc $50 long-range
torpedoes built building or appropri-
ated for.
IF this statement is incorrect 1t is
not my 1ault. i obtained the informa-
ton from Admiral Strauss himself
There la not single figure given in
my speech Of October 16 or In my press
statement Of October rs. not verified
by my consultation with high army
and navy officials or else taken direct
from the official publications
| MANY FIGURES PREPARED
IN DANIELS'S DEPARTMENT
MANY OF my figures were prepared
for me In Secretary Daniels's own de-
partment.
81 observe that Admiral Strauss is
| quoted as instancing the torpedoing OF
three British cruisers at zoo yards
range to show that long-range torpe.
does neither are required nor desired
| for submarines. j cannot give any
| opinion on Admiral Strauss views. blu,
his argument Will not stand inspec-
ton"
Mr.. Gardner said a congressional in
CURRY into the national defense will
reveal many absurdities. notably that
there Is no coordination in the prepa-
ration of military and naval appropria-
tons
One committee looks after the fortl-
hcations. another the army, n third the
| navy" he said. The Notifications
committee provides the guns for
the regular and volunteer army;
the army committee provides the
guns for the militia. Can anything be
| more absurd?"
Mr.. Gardner has an appointment to
discuss the matter OF a congressional
inquiry with President Wilson. BY
| request OF the President, Mr.. Gardner
will see him alone