Evening star., 1916-11-24
ADVANCE IN PRICES
HITS GOVERNMENT
Rear Admiral Griffin Explains
the Increase of Expenses
in Navy Yards.
COST OF MATERIALS NOTED

How the high cost of living AFFECTS
'Jncle Sam in one banch of his estab-
lishment the engineering bureau OF
the Navy Department-was explained
to the House committee on naval al
fairs today by Rear Admiral Griffin.
chief of that office. One instance he
pointed out was the price now demand
ed for boiler plates. Formerly oolier
plates could be obtained for cents
pound. while now they are 12.4 cents a
pound. Copper. worth normally IA
cents a pound, is selling for S3ta cents
a pound.
Admiral Griffin said that the fifteen
days leave of absence given workmen
in navy yards has increased the outlay
for labor 5 per cent. In his bureau
alone this item runs up to S25o,oOo or
100000 a year in added expense.
The increase in the estimate for cler-
ical hire in navy yards from Ss01,si6 10
sS65,OOO he attributed to increased
wages and to additional force due to
the new naval building program.
Wireless Station improvements.
Questioned as to when the improve
ments at the various wireless stations
will be completed, Admiral Griffin said the
station at Santiago would be in opera
ton on its increased capacity basis by
January l and the stations at Honolulu
and Cavite by July l. He said a small
deficiency might be incurred in this item
owing to the increase in the price of ma
terials.
net reduction of $40 600 in appropria-
tions for the improvement of machinery
ht- he NnY11-
Inittee and explained by Admiral Griffin.
In the course of the hearing Chair
man Padgett made the statement that
the committee had not yet determined
whether it will recommend 32,ooo-ton
battleship or a $4,000 or 10000 ton ves-
sci.
Discusses New Construction.
Admiral Griffin told the committee
that bids for the battle cruisers will be
opened December 6 and that the
awards for the battleships will proba-
bly, be allotted this week. Contracts
for eighteen destroyers have been
awarded and decision in two bids is
being deferred. Chairman Padgett
said he understood these two vessels
will be built in government yards.
Admiral Griffin said that in regard to
the submarines the preliminarfes have
been entered into and are under nego-
tiation- One firm of builders demand
ed that the federal trade commission
should determine disputes. and there
is no warrant in law for such course.
There are other minor details of de-
mands. he said. which the department
does not care to grant.
Explosions Aboard Submarines.
Replying to a question by Mr.. But
Ter of the commission. Admiral Grif-
I'm told of the reports of the boards
which investigated the explosion on the
submarine E-2. January Is. 1916. He
said the final report reached the de-
partment only yesterday, and he had
not read it. In the explosion four men
were. killed and nine injured by the
explosion of the batteries. which was
attributed to the formation of hydrogen
gas. due to faulty ventilation.
Twenty-one Knots Standard Speed.
Admiral Griffin told the committee
that twenty-one knots has been adopt
ed as the standard speed for battle
ships. This was decided upon because
it had been found that greater speed
required the sacrifice of other qualities
of offense or defense. England, which
had adopted higher speed. has fallen
back upon twenty-one knots. He said
that oil will be used exclusively as fuel
in the new ships. and he thought there
would be no return to coal. il the gov
ernment ownership of the California
oil lands. which 1t believes it pos
sesses. is upheld.
Admiral Griffin said the battle
cruisers would be s0,000-horsepower
The former, he said, would be applied
in manner never before seen in the
workings of a marine engine. He said
he thought it could be done safely.
New Cruisers to Be Very Speedy.
The admiral said there are rumors
that England is building a ship some
what like the proposed series Of Amer
lean battle cruisers, but no definite
news of it has been received. The
new battle cruisers, he said. would have
four propeIlers and be very speedy.
Asked as to the submarines author
lied by the naval appropriation act of
March 3, 1915. Admiral Griffin said the
LII. L-2. L-3. La had been delivered.
but that there is battery trouble in
and series ARE coming on nicely"
Manufacture of the new turbines on
the North Dakota has begun at Brook
lyu. he said. and will be ready in a
year. The ship has had engine trou-
bic and out Of active service six
months
Answering Representative Roberts
Admiral Griffin said the ships appro-
priated for in the current act have all
been let to contractors except the
battle cruisers and scout ships. The
feet submarines. Of the 20-knot type
are being built and satisfactory prog
ress il being made, he said
Progress in Aeroplane Engine.
The admiral was asked as to progress