The Washington herald., 1916-01-18
BY T.. b. JOHNS.

ny Il. d. JOHNs.
Recognizing the fact that battery trou-
bles have always been the most serious
problem TO deal with in developing an
effective submarine the Navy Depart
ment has for over a year been expert
menting with a type of boat which would
dispense with the necessity of storage
batteries. This was started even before
the accident to the F-4 in Honolulu Har-
Dor and has nothing to do with the scci-
dent to the E-2 which occurred In New
York Saturday. However, the E-2 acci-
dent will probably hasten the decision
of the Secretary of the Navy to ask for
authority and appropriations for an ex-
pertinent with one of the submarines now
lin service.
The project by which storage batteries
are to be eliminated is known as the
Nef system of single unit of power
for submarines. 1t consists of a number
of patents and improvements that have
been designed by navy officers by which
one engine will furnish the power for
the submarine when it operates under the
sea and when 1t Is on the surface. This
is done by a scheme of control of the
air supply of the boat. The space that
has been occupied by the storage bat
teries will be used for compressed air
tanks The air is turned into the sub
marine in the forward part of the boat
from lnG ldIlhS dHO HOW'D tIhousl NAAS
different compartments until it reaches
the engines where it is used for COM
bustion.
1t is claimed that this. system of con-
trolling the air supply will give the crew
purer air to breathe and will increase
the undersea sailing radius of the boat.
AS the space occupied by the second unit
of electric power is used to store air the
amount of pure air will be greatly in
creased. The new type of power has an
arrangement by which the submarines
will pump air automatically into its stor-
age tanks whenever it reaches the sur
face. 1t can be taking on fresh air when
it is entirely submerged with the eNcep-
ton of pipe that will not attract as
much attention as the periscope.
The plan of the Navy Department is to
ask Congress for the necessary sppro-
priations and authority to remove the ma
chinery from one of the older submarines
and install the Neff system. 1t is insisted
one of the submarines that has been re-
jected by the department it will have un-
dergone a very severe test.
Hearings on the army legislative pro-
gram will open today before the Senate
committee when the Secretary of War
will appear. He will be followed by Maj
Gen. Hugh l.. Scott. Chief of Staff, and
Maj. Gen. Tasker H. Bliss. Assistant
Chief of STAFF. Wednesday it is planned
to have Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, COM
mander of the Department of the East,
and Maj. Gen. William H. Carter, retired.
appear before the committee.
Probably the first legislation for an
| increase in the army and navy to be
taken under consideration by the House
will be a bill for an increase in the
strength of the Naval Academy. In re-
sponse to a letter written by the Sec
retary of the Navy, Chairman Padgett
yesterday introduced a bill which car
ries out the Recommendation of the de-
partment. The chairman of the Naval
Affairs Committee will make an especial
effort to secure its passage SO that the
increased number of appointments to the
Academy can be made in time for the
next academic year.
The first step in this direction will be
taken by Chairman Padgett today, when
he will submit, at special meeting OF
the Committee ON Navs, Affairs, the bin
that he introduced yesterday. II is ex-
pected that the committee will report il
out promptly, aud Chairman Padsett will
bring 1t Up under the calendar Wednes-
day rule. 1t is not anticipated that there
will be any serious opposition 10 it in
the House, and it's prompt passage ap-
pears to be assured.
49,
In telegram to the adjutant general
the commander of the Western Depart-
ment announces the arrival of the trans
port Thomas at San Francisco. The
transport has on board thirty-oac off,
GERS. including Col Kennon. infantry;
Lieut. Col Hannsny. retired; Mai. Butts,
n : 3 + -