New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-13

, bought. Repeated Recommendations for
suitable clothing for the men are dis
regarded at headquarters.
When Secretary Daniels appointed
Admiral Grant as head Of the sub
marine fotilla, he gave the public 20
understand that the old condit ons
inefriciency In the department, OF d.
vided council and lack OF RESPONSE
bility would end. To-day, so IL IS said
az the New York yard. cond tions are
worse than before. There Is said 70 be
a secret but persistent opposition in
the department TO every recommends-
ton which Admiral Grant prefers.
Admiral Grant Helpless
Il is also pointed out that Admiral
Grant is himself helpless in the mat
ter. He has but four months more
duty on the active list before he re
tires. The Secretary is certain of more
than four months tenure OF his present
duty before March 4 next. II Admiral
Grant we're IN any way 20 exc te the
Secretary's resentment there are
plenty Of examples in the past TO show
how the Secretary would act, and Ad-
miral Grant would have an unfortunate
ending 70 his career
The Secretary Of the Navy, shortly
after the appointment OF Admiral
Grant, announced in the newspapers
that he had acquired ground for sub
marine base at New London, Conn,
where the submarines could drill in
calm waters, where all their require
ments would be sembleld, and it is
further said that he promised $1,000
900 would be set aside for this purpose.
The submarine base at New London
actually consists Of partially burned,
wooden dock, an abandoned marine
barracks, coal pocket and couple OF
sheds. and poor quarters for the men.
There is just enough there for the
submarines to tie up TO az night, and
no more.
The most serious phase OF the sub
marine situation is, however. that
there seems 70 be no immediate pros
pect Of material betterment. Con-
eress has obstinately persisted in au-
'horizing submarines Of but 300 and
200 tons displacement, which are too
small ever 70 render efficient service.
Il is said that sixteen submarines of
200 tons appealed to the Secretary's
imagination much more than a smaller
II mber Of 500 or 1000 ton boats would
have done.
At all events, number Of officer
we're sent before the naval committee
of the House who were no more fitted,
- the opinion Of submarine officers,
10 give testimony as to submarines
than they would have been to testify
as 10 airships.
No Remedy In Eighteen Months
We have not, and will not have for
the next two years, any submarine
which can even approach the per-
torrance Of the U-53. The Schley,
authorized a year ago, will not be
completed for another year and a half
AZ the earliest, and she will be the
first Of her class. Il is said that eight
large submarines like the Schley have
been authorized altogether, but that
another two years must elapse before
airy one Of them can be launched.
Yesterday eleven submarines were
a. target practice of Montauk Point.
Long Island. Az the Brooklyn yard
il is said that the public must not be
deceived By that fact. The boats have
for the last year been preparing for
this very practice. IL is being held
merely 90 prevent the organization Of
The entire fleet from going TO pieces.
Immediately on its completion all the
submarines must proceed at once TO
their home yards. again TO be over
hauled from top to bottom. 20 install
new batteries and new engines and
give rest 70 the men.
As one naval officer put IL: "A year
ago We could not even submerge To-
day we can. But you can knock a hole
in g can-buoy and get the same effect
TO endeavor 70 make an efficient sub
marine feet out Of the junk We have
10 work on is sheer waste OF time and
money. II is worse. because Il fools
the public into thinking that they
have a submarine feet"