The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-04
DANIELS ACCUSES FZSKE: HIS
AMBITION THWARTED, HE SAYS
Failure to Get Atlantic Fleet Command Inspired At
lacks on Navy, Secretary Te~stifes-Admits 5 Year
Plan Will Not Put U. S. in Second Place.

OF the manufacture Of gasolene by the
navy a. a by product OF the process
Of refining crude oil for use on oil burn
ing ships. A reputable firm Of engineers.
he said, had estimated that a plant could
be erected for $40O. 900 which wOuld en-
able the navy to refine all the oil 1t
needs. obtaining gasolene az u by product
without cost.
Manufacturing competition with the
citizens Of the Government" said Mr..
Daniels. "is not an advisable undertake
Ing, except In those cases, luckily few,
where the manufacture Is IN the hands
Of a very few people who can be provc1
to have taken advantage OF the Govern
ment necessities To extort from II prices
80 greatly in excess OF the cost as to
mako possible a manufacture by the
Government at n very great saving"
strauss Answers Charge.
Rear Admiral Strauss. chief Of the
Bureau of Ordnance. explained to the
committee the basis of the charge that
the United states navy had turned over
to the krupps the design of the naval
II inch gun. He said the krupps had
offered 10 make a gun which would not
erode. and In reply the ordnance Bu-
reau has submitted specifications for "a
~ I1Cll 80 Cd1DTt gun Nv "'u'N
be able 10 fire 200 rounds without show
ing signs Of wear.
These were not specifications OF tho
actual gun In the navy" said Admiral
Strauss, "but of a very much better gun.
II the krupps could build II We would
a been very glad to have them 90 ~.
and to obtain II as a pattern on which
Ne could work ourselves"
Admiral Strauss explained that 1t was
n practice both Of the army n navy
to obtain ordnance Of the best type from
any source possible with the idea of I'M
proving manufacture in this country. AS
an illustration he cited the purchase Of
shells from the krupp plant which had
a time fuse with a clock arrangement.
| Ordnance experts are now trying TO
| duplicate the fuse In this country. Ad-
miral Strauss also denied c~nphatically
that designs for II inch guns and shells
had been turned over to the Russian
Government
The controversial character of the final
hearing to-day was brought to a Gilman
when Representative Brttten undertuok
to obtain from Secretary Daniels all
explanation OF his reasons for the FIVE
year programme. MIR. Daniels rebellcd
at some Of the questions. insisting tina
they constituted All attempt TO brins
notifies into the hearings. lie resented
the Implication that he a cut down
the estimates Of the General Board.
Politics., Says Daniels.
"If YOU wish TO bring politics into
this" ne said to MIR. Britten. II Will an
swer your question. Secretary Meyer
before he retired. for three years recon-
mended a small programme AFTER Mr.
Tafts defeat lie recommended every
thing without limit"
In reply to Mr.. Britten Secretary
] Daniels said he had never heard that
a O d Of plans OF war with japanese
had been lost BY the Navy Department
The Secretary admitted that the Ad'
minist ration's five year naval pro
gramme would not bring the navy 10
second place.
els the navy prepared for immediate
war;" asked Mr.. Britten.
Certainly! :" replied the Secretary. I'll
I depends upon what country We are goint
to fight against"
germany, France-any first class
Power"
.sThat." said the Secretary. "is an i'm
proper line OF questioning to ask in IN
present state OF world disturbance"
Defends Five Year Programme.
The Secretary made an elaborate de
fence Of the efficiency of the navy and II
personnel. saying 1t liz IN much bette
condition than II was when the review
was held in New York. where ships ha'
to be towed and men put on them I
make a show.
az we had the money to-day aske'
Representative Farr OF Pennsylvania
'would you favor the General Board
Recommendations
IL think II IL wisest," replied MI
Daniels, ito follow the Ave year pro
ramm II we had an abundance a
money we might go a little faster. !
Ia wise not to place the burden on on
| Congress. Let US adopt this programm
, and Increase the navy rs may be neces
2 sary later IN"
with the conclusion OF Mr.. Daniels
testimony. Chairman Fadgett
that the hearings would be closed an
that executive meetings would begi
|, tomorrow for the framing of the nava
bill.