Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-15
TRIALS RECENTLY MADE
BY CRUISER MARYLAND
Cabinet Officer Before House
Committee Explains Needs
of Navy.
QUESTIONED ON MANY PHASES
recommends Building of Dry Dock
at Norfolk; for Congress
TO Decide.

maj announcement of successful naval
tests of coal from govcrnment-owned
neius in Alaska was made to-day bv
Secretary Daniels before the Naval
Committee Of tho House Trials by
tn" cruiser Maryland about ten days
ago, Mr.. Daniels said. had demon
strated that the Matanuska coal was
AS good as any to be found
The results Of this test were par
icularly gratifying, MIR. Daniels said.
because disappointing experiments
with coal from the Bering fields year
ago had lessened hope that the rich
deposits in Alaska ultimately would
meet all of the governments demands
Tor fuel on the Pacific Coast.
Mr.. Daniels spent his fourth and
last day before the committee explain
ing the needs OF the navy in connec-
ton with the preparations of the an
nual appropriation bill and answer
Ing questions on every phase of the
national defense problem.
lie told of proposal for building
a 100000 projectile plant at Phila-
delphia or Indian Head. Maryland; adj
mitted tfat IL was no secret in the
navy that the supply of shells for the
adequate. and gave his views at
length on the retired pay question.
CAPTAIN WINTERHALTER
ASKED ABOUT SUBMARINES
Captain Winterhalter, the secretary's
aide, was questioned about submarines,
and had quite an argument with Rep
resentative Hobson, of Alabama over
war scares. Captain Winterhalter
said he was unable to see the inter-
national dangers ahead pictured by
Mr.. Hobson. Then the Congressman
year that put the American garrison
in the Philippines in a state OF siege.
I'm May and for some months of last
year" said Mr.. Hobson, our gunners
at CorreEidor- Island stood at their
gun night and day, with plans for a
mined, troops from all over the islands
were brought into Corregidor. and
everything prepared for a Siege. ex-
cept there was no transfer of the gov
ernment from Manila. 1t did not take
any vision TO see that"
Mr. Hobson did not go into the de-
tails as to the cause of these prepara-
parently was not inclined to discuss
the subject.
Representative Gardner, of Massa-
chusetts, continued his efforts during
the day to get hearings on his pro-
posed commission investigation of the
nations preparedness for war He ad-
dressed letters to Representative Pad
sett, chairman of the Naval Committee
and Representative Hay, chairman of
the Military Committee. asking them
to summon War and Navy Department
officials. certain retired army and
navy officers and former Vabinet mem
bers. Mr. Padgett declined to summon
former officers or officials, saying that
the committe preferred to hear the men
now In charge of the governments y
work.
Secretary Roosevelt. of the Navy
Department and Captain Stirling, com
mandinS the Atlantic submarine flo-
ti!!a, will be before the House Naval
Committee tomorrow.
THREE RECOMMENDATIONS
MADE By SECRETARY
Three recommendations were made
by Secretary Daniels at the afternoon
session They were:
appointment of all second lieuten
ants in the navy hreafter as acting
second lieutenants." so that those who
co not measure up to requirements S
after appointment may be dropped.
Graduated system in retired pay of
laval officers on the basis, of their
length Of naval service and the extent
of their disabilities.
Authority for using part of a $4,000
contingent fund to protect the navy's
rights and property on its oil land
reserves.
The secretary said the navy was
trying to put its yards on business
basis with Industrial managers, try
ing the plan at New York, Norfolk
and perhaps some other plants.
THE Philadelphia Navy-Yard is in
excellent shape he added, land hasn't
as many evils. card systems and other
paper word as they have in some of
81 construction officer in charge at the
Norfolk yard"
Asked as to his policy regarding Of
fcers. trained by the government at
great expense. going out of the navy
to accept private employment. MIR.
Daniels replied that now and then IL
was better to allow designations of
some indifferent officers. but that it
was harder for first-class, valuable
man to resign than "for n camel to 20
through II needles eye"
Declaring the navy had too many
officers ashore. the secretary said: 1--WE
should abolish the Office OF captain of
every yard. Every office we can spare
should be abolished"
CHIEF DOCKING NEED
OFF NAVY AT NORFOLK
Representative Lee. Of Pennsylvania.
brought up the proposed new naval
dry dock, suggesting that. in view of
trouble with the site selected at Nor
folk. 1t would be better to build n dock
at Philadelphia. where tho bottom is
safe and sure"
The reason recommended the
building of a dry dock at Norfolk"
replied Secretary Daniels, "is because
that yard has more docking, moro ar
rivals and departures than any other
yard. | recommended the location at
Norfolk; il Is for Congress to deter
minte what should be done The chief
docking need of the navy is at Nor
folk"
Secretary Daniels was asked f tho
general board Of the navy agreed with
him as to thu location OF the dock