The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-19
Army Board Submits Re port to House Committee Outlining Extensive Coast Defense Improvement
OLD MORTARS FOUND
 NOT EQUAL TO RANGE
 OF BATTLESHIP GUNS
Modernizing of Fortifica- ti0n to Keep Pace With Improvement in Arma- ment Afloat Urged

Washington. February 1s-Guns of greater range and power than any that could be nrraycd apainst them were asked for American coast defensen In an army bonrd report submitted by Secretary Garrison and made public to- day by the House appropriations com mittce. The board advised that the old type I2-inch guns and mortsrs "are not equal In range and power to major cali her gums nhoat.'
 Mir. Garrison recommended the immed- fate improvement of some of the coast defenses that the range of the old 12- inch guns could be increased to 20,000 yards, ans the board suggested that wherever 1t was necessary 10 construct new works the larger guns should be 1s- inch weapons.
 The boards report said in part:
 After full consideration of the aues- ton presented by the Secretary of War the board finds:
 
 mortars arc not equal in range and power to major caliber guns afoat.
 That by such minor changes in the carriage of the old type 12-inch gun at vatSpn of degrees, and by the provision of certain proportion Of lighter pro- iectiles of approximately TOO pounds weight, an effective range of about 2o.oco yards can be given these guns; that these chNpGsa should be nsde
 .fThat the great majority of our il- inch guns. with certain slight changes which have already been ordered. and by the supply of portion of the projec- tiles of lighter weight than the heaviest now furnished. are suitable in power and range to meet any that may now be brought against them.
 That u policy should be adopted of providing. through annual appropriations. for such modernizlng of Qualifications as will result in keeping pace with the im- provement in armament afloat That in the case of those works where modernizing involves very extensive changes in empacements, gun carriages etc, 1t will be policy to construct new works and provide new armaments ade- uuate for the demands of the situation.
 Secondary Defense That the old works should be held, when practicable and desirable as sec ondary line of defense.
 That wherever 1t may be necessary to construct new works. especially at inn portant points such as the entrances of our principal harbors, naval bases etc, tho major caliber guns should be at least d le-inch 45 callber gun. mounted so as to have the greatest possible protection and all around fire where 1t may be necessary to have such fire. That the mortars to be installed in future should be of not less than 12- inch callber, with a range of at least 2l, 0O0 yards.
 ''THat this weapon should be the nu- ! mericaly preponderant type in our coast defenses. as it is cheap, has long life can be easily protected, is very effective against ships and can be used as a val uable adjunct for the land defense. It must not, however, at any important l point be adopted to the exclusion of high | power direct fire guns.
 | "The general policy with reference to | sea coast defenses should be to have the | armament there einpaced of greater | range and power than any which can be
 brought aaginst it."
 l Secretary Garrison's statement to the committee reviewed the programme for 1 tContinued on Page TwOD