Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-03
DANIELS DENIES GIVING
FACTS ABOUT NAVY TO
GERMANY AND RUSSIA
Secretary, Again Under Grilling
Examination, Says He Knows
Nothing of Betrayal
of Secrets
DEFENDS S DEPARTMENT
Ru a stnr oorresponaent


WASHINGTON. April 3. - Criticism
was heaped on Secretary of the Navy
Daniels by Republican members of the
House Naval Affairs Committee today be-
cause OF unprecedented delays in the con-
struction of war vessels, authorized by
Congress. Advocates OF big navy" in
a grilllng examination accused the depart
rnent OF having furnished specifications
and intimate details of 14-inch guns,
armor strength and other offensive and
defensive parts of the United States Navy
to other Governments, the Krupp ord
nance factories in Germany being specif
cally designated as recipients OF such
favors.
'"Do you recognize" Secretary Daniels
was asked by Representative Britten OF
Illinois, that unless President Wilson Is
reelected and you are reappointed Secre-
tary of the Navy not a single vessel
authorized during your administration will
be put in commission during its exist
ence7'
IT don't recognize anything of the
sort" said the Secretary.
you have not even placed a submarine
In commission that has been authorized
during the present Administration" said
Britten.
Representative Butler, of Pennsylva.
nia said that IL he were Secretary of
the Navy he would see that the ships al.
ready authorized were built without
further delay regardless of cost, but Sec
retary Daniels said he did not think CON.
dItions are sufficiently emergent" to war
rant an order to private yards to put
aside the contracts they now have in
order to begin work on war vessels.
Secretary Daniels was asked by Rep
resentative Butler whether he thought we
should have the second navy in the
world. II think" he added, while Repub-
lican members of the committee APP
nlanded, I'VE should have the second
navy in the world within the next three
years
az do not think We can or ought to fig
ure on any particular nations strength
In LAYING out our policy" Secretary Dam
ieIs said ''I do not believe this Con-
Rress should tax the people this year to
make up all the deficiencies of 20 years.
we ought to lay out strong program
and build to that
''I think this ought to authorize the big
xest program ever undertaken More than
that. it ought to fit out ou' navy yards
for the building of ships. A don't think
conditions are so emergent that we should
tell private builders they must lay aside
other work"
''would IL surprise you to know that the
greatest naval authorities place us fourth
in 1882" Mr.. Butler asked The Secre-
tary replied that such a statement could
be speculation only.
''Do YOU remember having turned over
TO the Russian Government the designs
and specifications of our 14-inch guns,
armor and other naval effects during your
administration" Butler asked.
~ do not" Daniels replied.
''If that was DONE you would say it was
wrong?" Butler asked.
Absolutely" Daniels replied.
"Then you know nothing of the fact that
the design and specifications were fur
nished the Russian Government under
your Administrations" Butler insisted.
II know nothing of It," Daniels replied
"will you ask Admiral Strauss for a
"a copy of the letter sent to the Krupp Com
pany in Germany, so we will know whether
the specifications of our 14"inch guns were
given to the German Government" Butler
Il asked.
Daniels said he would ask for the let
ter.
you would say that II the fact is
. shown that these specifications were given
TO the Krupp people 1t was wrong" But
a Ter continued.
j absolutely" Daniels reiterated.
Daniels urged passage of the armor
plate bill without amendment opposing an
amendment proposed by Butler that the
private armor manufacturers should re-
ceiye contracts in case they would bid a
price satisfactory to the Secretary of the
Navy.
II know It would be a costly expert
ment," Daniels said.
II would not be satisfied with the
death-bed repentances Of corporations tina
have been charging exorbitant prices"
"A The Navy Department in the past hal
shut its eyes to the ultimate need of thu
4 feet the Secretary said, and instead Of
puttinK navy yards into conditions tC
build vessels, allowed the yards to de-
generate into mere second-class repair
shops"