The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-07
FOR LITIGATION BILL
PRESENTED IN HOUSE

the radio-dynamic torpedo control
devised by John Hays Hammond, Jr.
Acceptance Is conditioned. however.
on the report Of a Joint board OF
army and navy officers after a test
for which the bill provides.
Gun Emplacemcnt.
The report shows that four OF the
new sixteen-inch guns will DO erl-
placed ut Cape Henry. Va. two ut
Rockaway Beach, N. Y. others at
San Francisco and San Pedro. CALI.
Long range twelve-inch guns will go
to New York. Boston and either Port
land. Orc, or San Francisco.
The full estimate for the insular
possessions were allowed by tho COM
mittee as were the war departments
figures for additional mobile artil-
lery including fold 8nns. In addition
the committee inserted an appropria-
ton for S1.000.000 to provide tools
and fixtures IL commercial plants
to equip them for the manufacture OF
government ammunition. II IL pro-
vided. however. that the prices paid
for ammunition or other material
purchased shall not be more than
twenty-five per cent In excess Of the
governments actual estimate cost Of
manufacture.
Explanation Made.
Chairman Sherley presented the
following explanation Of the purposes
OF seacoast defenses in his report:
ut is the popular belief that our
Notifications are designed to protect
all the shores OF continental United
States and the insular possessions
from invasion by a hostile force and
that they are adequate only to the
extent that they would prevent such
invasion. No greater tnisconception
OF their function could be had. The
author OF this report Is unaware OF
any responsible military authority
ever suggesting such a purpose. Ger
tainly the cost OF such numerous for
tiftcations to accomplish such pur-
pose would be beyond the purse Of
even this the richest Of all nations.
But though this is known by all
students OF the. subject, criticism Is
continuously aimed at our system Of
Notifications because OF the absurd
assumption that they should accom-
plish the impossible; while many,
properly believing that our fortifica-
tions are excellent but with the same
mistaken view as to their purpose,
fail to appreciate the need for other
means of defense.
Chief Purposes.
1.-THE chief and real purposes to BIO
served by our Notifications are to
protect from bombardment lare CEN
tiers Of population where the damage
that might otherwise be inflicted
could not be thought from a military
point Of view admissible; to protect
from destruction establishments Of
military value, such as navy yards,
coaling stations, arsenals, etc.: to
deny to an enemy the use Of import
harbors as pase for offensive OPP
erations against either our feet or
land forces; to preserve such har-
bors as base OF refuge for our own
feet and permit 1t to be used in Its
most efficient way by seeking out and
engaging the enemy; to afford refuge
and protection to our shipping; and
to compel the enemy In order to
achieve results of importance to re-
sort to an expedition involving the
transportation OF troops across the
oCoo uhu CLioSI thotA Adhdin6 a. bOltS
place not possessing the strategic
value had by the places fortified.
"Of necessity many coast towns
would have to be left without such
defense, where the damage that
might be done In the event of con-
troll of the sea being lost by our
fleet. would be deplorable but would
not be Of such character as would
really impair the nations well-belng
or resisting power.
"Fortifcations are deemed suf-
ficient when they serve these pur-
poses and the prevention of invasion
then becomes the duty OF the mobile
army They are deemed sufficiently
strong II they compel the enemy to
land in order to effect their cap
ture."
RACK tn THE MINES