The Washington herald., 1916-02-16
By Il. u. JOHNS

ny H. JohNS
The Secretary of the Navy yesterday
took issue with the proposal of Rear
Admiral Grant, chief of the submarine
1otilla, and Capt J. s. Mexican for an
increase IN the size of the coast defense
submarines. 1t is insisted by the Secre-
tary that the 5o0-ton submarine is large
enough for coast defense work; that the
, fleet submarines are only in an expert
mental stage, and that Congress should
not make a radical change in the size
of the submarines until the three feet
submarines which are authorized by Con-
grcss have demonstrated their efficiency.
In his position the Secretary is sup
ported by Admiral Benson. chief OF naval
operations, and the general board. The
bids for two OF the fleet submarines will
be opened at the Navy Department to-
day. The other fleet submarine, the
Schley, is now in process of construction.
The specifications for the fleet subma-
rines called for 1,5OO-ton boats as com
pared with sO0-ton boats which were pro-
posed by Admiral Benson and Capt Nc
kean. The minimum speed for the new
submarines is twenty knots an hour
which. 1t is claimed, is faster than the
submarines of any other country. Ac-
cordinG to reports. the largest submarine
built by Germany Is 100 tons.
Admiral Benson. in discussing the sub
the SoJ-ton type. IL was insisted by him
that the @0-ton submarine was not large
enough to operate with the fleet and was
larger than necessary for coast defense
Eight hundred-ton submarines, Admiral
Benson stated, would not have any moro
0r larger torpcdoes, and the smaller or
GO-ton submarines will have sufficient
radius OF action for coast defense work.
1t was argued by Admiral Benson
| that fleet submarines should be a rad
icaliy different type from coast de-
fensc boats. He thought that the ex-
periencc with the Schley and the two
boats that are to be constructed would
determine just how large the subma-
rine for offensive operations should
be built.
While he is not keeping his store
and Cultivating his farm a constitu-
ent of Representative Henry, OF Texas
is reVolutionizing modern warfare
Part OF the result OF his effort arrived
at Mr.. Henrys Office "a few days ago
aud was forwarded to the War De-
partment yesterday.
Among other things which the in
genious Texan proposes are invisible
forts. Plans for these wonderful
structures have been drawn on wrap
ping paper and enclosed in large
paper tube. The inventor closed a long
description of his work by expressing
confidence in Mr.. Henry and the Of
icisls at the War Department. III
the big government officials" said the
inventor. do not treat me right. ! do
not know who will. ] am willing to
come to Washington to give you a
full expla nation IL you cannot under
stand my plans. Excuse paper. as
wrapping paper is the only kind | have"
Since the announcement of the
dropping OF eighty-two midshipmen at the
Naval Academy the trenches in the
western theater OF the European war
have been quiet place as compared
with the office of the Secretary OF the
Navy. Secretary Daniels has been
threatened with everything with the
exception of bodily harm. because he
has refused to overrule the findings
OF the academic board
From their activity the Secretary Of the
Navy has reached the conclusion that
every one or the eighty-two midsh:pmen
have at least eigty-two friends who are
interested in their being restored to the
navy. Protests came first in long dis
tance phone messages later in kilograms
and these are being followed by hundreds
OF letters
Senators and Members OF Congress
have even threatened TO vote against the