Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-05
NAVAL MEN KNOW
HOW To SHOOT,
SAYS OFFICER
Admiral Blue Pays High Com
pIiment to ORGANIZATION
Work Of Secretary Daniels;
Personnel Is Excellent,
,.y soss,ae ,ous~.. s,tc,., ,t.sso w,.s,

Washington, Feb. 4.---Confidential
Workmanship records of the navy
were detailed to the house naval COM
mittee behind closed doors today by
Capt. c. c. plunkett, gunnery officer
of the department. AT an open session
he discussed the subject in general
terms and said the appropriation made
last year to provide prizes FOR gun
pointers would have been insufficient
had not the qualifications under which
they were to be earned been raised by
the department
They got a burst of speed, re-
ferrng to the gun pointers, land
would have swampcd us"
Workmanship Standard High.
Captain plunkett said approximate
ly Is per cent of the enlisted force Of
the navy from ships cook to chief
petty Officers had qualified as marks
men in rifle practice. He defined Il
marksman, the lowest rifle rating, as
Il man able TO nail anything at 200
yards" About 80 per cent, he said,
were sharpshooters, or J00-yard
range men. The department has
asked for $4,000 for rifle trophies.
Rear Admiral Blue, chief Of tho bu-
reau of navigation, who testified re-
garding the status of the navy per-
sonnet. was questioned by committee
men about reports that more than 200
at Annapolis had failed
with the half-yearly examinations.
True Figures to Be Given.
He said no official report to that
effect had been received but az the
department bill asking for a big in
crease in the force at the academy
will be put up in house for debate
Monday, he promised to furnish the
committee with all possible informa-
ton. Admiral Blue, in reply to an
inquiry by Representative Colaway
said he did not believe the invcstiga-
ton at the academy last year and the
new regulation against obtaining ex-
papers in advance had any
thing to do with the reported fail
ures.
IF do not believe any more men
failed to graduate at the academy
than failed to graduate at any other
in proportion" said the adj
miral
Blue Compliments Daniels.
: Admiral Blue will go before the
again Monday when his
statement as to the present condition
Of the personnel Of the fleet will have
been printed for committee use. IleI
read ii in part today, declaring that
the ships are better manned, better Of
ficered and more efficient in personnel
than at any time in the history of the
navy. He laid great stress on steps
taken under Secretary Daniels admin
10 build mp the personnel and
10 provide experienced officers forl
important commands.
Gocthals to BE Heard.
The senate military committee did
not close its hearings on the army in !
crease bills today as had been eX- !
pected. 1t probably will examine Gov |
arnor Goethals. of the Canal Zone, to-
morrow on the question Of proposed |
additions to the canals fixed defense
works and on the mobile army aspect !,
Of the canal defense problems.
The house military committee /
agreed to close its hearings February .
IL. Tomorrow it will hear Brigader
ieneral Edwards, commanding the .
Panama canal garrison. who was be-
fore the senate committee yesterday