New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-29
Assistant Secretary Roose-
Welt Says America Should
Have Second Place.
FORCE INADEQUATE
NOW FOR IT'S WORK
Believes u. s. Could Outstrip
Germany Despite Higher Cost
of Labor and Materials.

Washington, March 2s-Assis:snt
Secretary Roosevelt recommended 10
the House Naval Committee to-day that
the United States Navy be restored as
soon as possible to second place among
the world powers on the sea. Answer
ing Hypothetical questions by members
Of the committee, who were interested
IN comparing the German and American
pavies. he said the United States could
ortstrip Germany in race for naval
supremacy.
Speaking personally, should Ike
TO see the present building programme
this wear increased" he explained.
when Representative Butler suggested
six instead Of four capital ships should
be authorized in the pending bill. The
United States must have eighty more
destroyers 10 exceed Germany, and Ger
many's submarine force is estimated
a. 100"
While the Assistant Secretary de-
clined TO discuss naval policies. which
he said were within Secretary Danlels's
province, he gave his personal views IN
advocacy Of large and immediate naval
upbuilding. In case Of war, he said
the United States would need 225,OOO
men in its navy, judging from Eng
lands experience in trebling her naval
forces since the war began. The Ad-
ministration's fve-year programme
alone. he stated. would entail doubling
The present number Of men and officers.
Not in the First Class.
The present navy, Mr. Roosevelt ss-
serted. was not sufficient TO cope with
a first class power, or combination Of
lesser powers. if the governments pol
icy was to protect both coasts, its out
living possessions and the Panama
Canal, as we'll as 70 maintain its inter
national policy with respect 10 Latin
America. Cheaper labor and material,
ne said. enabled Germany and Japan 20
build and maintain their nayies at less
cost than this nation. The higher pay
cf American officers accounted for a
large part Of the greater expense, he
added
Mr.. Roosevelt quoted statistics in
dicatine that Germany and the United
States had exchanged second and fourth
places, respectively.
1T costs less to build a ship in Ger
many than here; the wage scale IS only
30 or so per cent of that here he con-
tinucd "The cost of battleship is
probably 20 per cent less in Germany.
We have 20 pay twice as much for le-
pairs. That Germany has gone ahead
be- due partly 20 the fact that II has
cost her less TO build and maintain her
ships. The same is true of Japan.
we can take advantage OF the war
TO catch up" he added. after the war
other nations will continue building
The Atlantic fleet mobilization IN
1912 under former Secretary Meyer he
characterized as "a joke
For Bigger Marine Corps.
Mr.. Roosevelt Endorsed the Person
mel Boards recommendation TO in
crease the Marine Corps. He favored
az least three brGadicr generals, ono
for the feet and one each for the At
laDtic and Pacific forces. On the need
for more mon in the navy Secretary
Roosevelt said:
Gully TO man all tho ships in ser
vice to-day which are not rated as un-
suitable for war purposes he SAID,
"would take $4,000 more men than We
have now"
MIR. Roosevelt recommended the
establishment OF naval base on San
Francisco Bay. developing tho Bremen
Washington yard and the estab-
hshmcnt of Marine Corps base in
Southern California. He also said
drydock and repair shops. but not a
complete navy yard. should be cstab-
hshcd at Los Angeles or San Diego.
Regarding naval administration, the
Assistant Secretary approved the law
giving the chief OF operations wide
power.
IF you give a general board auto
cratic power" he said, "and the Secre-
tary only veto power. in the end you'd
get body which would stop progress
Asked about working conditions IN
old navy yard buildings used rs foun-
dries. Mr.. Roosevelt said they were
distinctly bad" Al Norfolk, he said,
they were the worst. while at Boston,
Portsmouth and Philadelphia condi-
tons should be improved. lie said
many cases OF lead poisoning had re-
suited and recommended an initial ap-
preparation Of $4,000 for repairs and
changes.
Mr.. Roosevelt viii complete his testi-
mouy tomorrow morning, and. as the
final witness of its preparedness in
quiry. the committee plans TO call Sec
rotary Daniels tomorrow afternoon.