Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-15
|0R LARGER SUBMARINES
IN UNITED States navy
icar-Admiral Grant Tells House
Committee Present Type Should
BE Abandoned.
rKEAN ALSO IS WITNESS
lore Real Progress Toward Pre-
jparedness in Navy During Last
Two Years Than in Any Previous
Fivc-fenr Period, He Declares.

Two Years Than In Any Previous
Fivc-Hear Period, He Declares.
WASHINGTON. D. O., February IA
fhilc tho House Naval Committee con-
hucd to-day It's hearings on the navy
pproprintion bill, the Military Com
'ittees OF both houses prepared to be-
III drafting the measures they will
.ropose to strengthen the army. Tho
Military Committees probably Will be-
IN daily sessions before tho end of
~ week, In an effort to hasten their
'"rk, AZ President Wilson has urged.
hcar-Adrniral rant, the submarine
commander, and the first sea duty Of
Ger TO appear at the hearing, told the
'ousc committee to-day that he be-
tved tho present type OF American
ubmarine should be abandoned. and
My large boats OF at least 500 tons
urfacc displacement be constructed In
nturc II was boats of this size, no
aid. which had done tho most efficient
york for the German navy in the pres
mt war. The admiral will he further
Nnm!ned tomorrow.
Captain Josiah s. Mexican. attached
p the office OF the chief Of operations
assistant for material said that.
'h,lo he was inclined TO believe with
Hdniral Grant an TO the greater value
larger submarines. other officers had
ifferent vicws. Chairman Padgett OK
lained that Rcar.Admiral Benson,
hIcf OF operations, was ono OF these.
nd would explain his position TO the
ommittee later.
MERICAN BOY TELLS
ABOUT GERMAN SUBMARINES
Captain Mexican revealed that much
tho Navy Departments information
bout German submarines had come
rom an American boy who served for
time upon one OF them In active SER
'cc before he could establish his ma
!onality and SECURE immunity from
piiitary duty. The boy, whose name
ras not disclosed. returned 10 the
ni'cd States as soon as he was AZ
iberty. and proved 20 he valuable
ource OF information. While ne did
ct go into details, Captain Mexican
laid experts of the navy had cues
Toned tho youth closely.
Representative Britten. OF Illinois.
Irked Captain Mexican II tho action OF
, he department in contracting for six
cen additional small submarines two
3ion.he ago was no: ridiculous. In the
rht Of tho Information II then had
10 tho efficiency Of larger craft
CHARACTERISTICS oc chips are mat
crs determined by the general board"
nptain Mexican replied. He said he
believed II had been thought best TO
/ ct as many submarines as possible
constructed quickly. and that Congress
adj iixed the limit OF cost for the six
cen boats. thereby limiting their size.
q nnIntaI al un h.t r1r
| { 900 miles or less the small boat
|vas fully ms efficient. II not more so,
: an Soo-,on craft. They were I'M
,erative for shallow vac or work. he
lded.
FEELS OF STEPS TO MEET
EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
Representative Bri,,cn pressed the
|,Gncss as TO what steps had been
F":"n BY the Navy Department % be
(cahy 10 meet the emergency cond!-
ions which seemed TO exist.
We have made more real progress
H. real Preparedness" Captain Mexican
Faid. "in tho last two years than in
|n% previous flvc-year period IN my
pcrienca In the navy. don't think
have ever known a time when every
INDY In tho service. from top to bottom.
fs W OI ElllH HS naru WIN LNetG neuuE
|nd hands TO prepare the feet for ac-
i've service"
NJ another point Representative Brit
EN- asked why the department had not
attempted 10 speed up delivery OF ships
low under construction. Captain Nc
) AN said this was matter for the
contractors. and the department had
|ittle power, II the contractors were
|,cnalized. he said. Congress always re-
Fokcd the sentence.
Il think your files will show, Mr..
?rltten." he said. chat no penalty has
ver been imposed upon a contractor
ut that 81 was rebated sooner or later
~ an act of CONGRESS. They may
ave 10 wait ifteen years, but they get
|, back"
Representative Padcett put into the
'rcord a report OF the general hoard
, year ago showing the relative fight
Ug efficiency OF various types OF
o"ttleships. Taking the Delaware rs
= standard OF 100 per cent. he said, the
,regon figures l3 per cen, and tho
New York at 49, per cent.
uEpoRT FORTHCOMING
FROM ATLANTIC FLEET
Captain Mexican said n report dealing
''NH tHc "hoie SupJett ol personnel
md ships compliments soon would be
forthcoming from the Atlantic Fleet,
mi would answer all questions.
y supplemental estimate OF $4,000
for the naval militia. making total
- S3S7,I3S for that purpose, COMPARED
y 18th $4,000 appropriated last year,
Is as submitted to Congress to-day by
-ocrctary Daniels. The increase is TO
III ect the greater mileage and trans
a"rtation charges occasioned by chang
! 2 the plans for summer cruise of tho
laval militia the coming summer