Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-06-30
SUPPORTING
navy IS Daniels Plan
Believes Government Will
Eventually Build All
Its Ships, Etc.
MONOPOLY SCHEME
is NOT INTENDED
BY BOND P. GEDDEs

Omitted Press staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 30.-A
self supporting navy. making its
own battleships, torpedo boats, sub
marines. torpedoes. projectiles, armor
plate. powder and all war supplies, is
he ideal of Secretary of the Navy
Daniels.
Today he outlined TO me his hopes
of a naval utopia. He believes II Is
not only possible but probable that,
with proper financial assistance and
approval from Congress, realization
of his plans may be reached before
the end Of the present administra-
ton.
"Of course we never expect to
manufacture all of our own materials
for the navy; we will probably always
buy a certain amount of supplies
needed, but il is my hope that the
navy will be equipped to make in
part all of the supplies 1t uses Ser
rotary Daniels stated.
by manufacturing our own sup
plies we are not only largely indie
pendent of private manufacturers,
avoid being held up in prices. but
also destroy the incentive OF private
manufacturing interests to bring pres
sure upon Congress for large ap-
propriations in the interest Of the
private profit"
II is Secretary Daniels idea that
If the navy is equipped to make its
own supplies, private manufacturers
will not, when Congress comes to
appropriating money for them, feel
that as a matter OF course the con-
racts will be let to them. It would
then be uncertain whether the money
would be spent in government navy
Yards or private manufacturing
plants. The "hounding" of Congress
for large appropriations would then
be largely avoided.
Secretary Daniels pointed out that
the effects of such an administrative
plan were already seen.
"By making all of our own supplies
we will in the same way be able 70
ascertain just what they cost-and
lust what profit private manufac-
turers are making on supplies sold
TO the navy.
Secretary Daniels said his plans did
not embrace a government monop-
oily" in making navy supplies. similar
o those of foreign nations. He merely
proposes that the navy make part 81
each and every article important tc
It's sustenance.
"Soon we shall have sufficient ca
pacity in ou- own powder plants III
said. TO supply all the ships anG
keen up reserve supplies-on thu
present footing Of the navy, o
course"
In case of war, Daniels admits,
would be necessary for the navy Z
purchase a great part Of its powde
and projectiles, as well as many ship
to become naval auxiliaries. The ca
pacity of the powder plant at lndial
Head, Md. on the Potomac river
few miles below Washington, will b
doubled within short time, accord
ing to the navys head The torped
projectile plant at Newport, r. l., Wi
alos be doubled in output capacity, h
stated. Incidentally he is keeping Il
touch with both plants by persona
visits.
In carrying out his plan for "sel
supporting" navy in regard TO powde
and proiectiles, the Secretary hal
more ambitious plans for the govern
ment in constructing its own dread
noughts He hopes to build one G
the new dreadnoughts Congress ma
authorize next winter at the Leagu
Island Navy Yard at Philadelphia. IN
Brooklyn Navy Yard has alread
qualified in this respect in the recer
construction OF the battleship Me-
York. Incidentally, she was con
pleted four and half months earle
than her sister ship, the Texas, bui
~ private contractors.
The new battleships Arizona an
California are also achievements
government employees at the Brookly
ward. Submarines are also hein
built in the governments own YARD
as we'll as fuel and supply ships.
"Construction of ships in navy yard
tustifies an enlargement OF thi
policy" says Secretary Daniels.
was discouraged formerly because, /
an unwise system of accounting, owe
head charges. in nowise proper
chargeable against new constructor
were added to the actual cost of col
struction. This made II appear thi
ships built In navy yards cost mol
han in private yards. and the fac
we're not in accordance with that a.
pearance. In fact, taken as a Who'll
the contrary is true"