New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-31
Urges Government Plant
for Shells and Adding
$4,000 Men to Force.
SAYS FIRMS SEEK
TO HOLD UP u. S.
Try TO Sell Inferior PrOjectiles
for Price of Best
Quality.

Washington, March go final re
view OF the Administration prepared
ness plans for the navy was given 90
the House Naval Committee to-day by
Secretary Daniels, who will be the last
witness heard before the committee be-
gins framing its bill.
The Secretary added in several re
spects % the programme he had
mapped out in estimates previously
submitted 20 the committee. He urged
the establishment OF government
plant 20 manufacture navy proiectiles;
raised the estimate for the proposed
research laboratory from 100000 TO
100000; asked for about $4,000 addi-
tional men instead Of 10000 and pro-
posed that civilian educators be placed
At the head Of the non-military depart
ments Of the naval academy TO release
line officers for active service.
Requesting that all provisions for air
service be stricken out Of the fve-year
building programme. Mr.. Daniels urged
an appropriation of S2,OO0,000 for air
craft this year. He explained that there
was no way of determining what ex-
penditure would be necessary in the
future.
Grilling to Come To-day.
Criticism Of Secretary Danielss ad-
ministration Of tie department, fore
Swallowed by the course Of certain com
mittee members IN examining previous
witnesses, probably will materialiZe to-
morrow. The Secretary was allowed to
proceed without interruption to-day,
taking mp the items in the programme
one ty one. lie viii conclude his state
ment tomorrow and be questioned by
the committeeman.
Questions ~ new construction, Of
ba;tlcsaips versus battle cruisers. Of
the size and speed Of future sub
marines and other subjects much de-
lv.o, during the prolonged hearing
y.r-. not reached Mr.. Danlels's state
1ert,. outside Of those relating TO per
sonncl. had 20 DO almost wholly with
industrial problems OF the service.
& prOiectiic plant Mr.. Danlels oe-
clsred. was vitality important 10 the
navy. With commercial concerns flood :
ed with war orders from Europe, ne
said. prices were going up, and IT. mad
beeu virtually impossible 10 Obtain
what the navy must have. lie added
tina. "a government plant would MAKE
i; possible 20 guard against navy IN
veutioas getting into the hands OF pos
ible enemy powers, as was now almost
certain 20 be the case.
Navy Cannot Get Shells.
Tho Secretary read a long statement
showing the Auctuation in the price
Of projectiles asked by bidders
"lr spite Of all the firms now en-
csred in manufacturing projectiles for
iorcion governments" he said, lit is a
fact that last July the department adj
vertised for 6-inch and 3-lnch common
proiectiles, and was unable 10 obtain
satisfactory bids. and on this account
only the department undertook 70 man
ufacture a large quantity OF these pro-
jectiies at navy yards
When the 1914 bids for armor pierre
ing projectiles were advertised, MI
Daniels said. an English firm-Had-
fields. Ltd.-announced its intention to
bid.
"The companies usually furnishing
amor piercing projectiles," he added
apparently understood that Hadhelds,
Ltd. would enter the field. and, not
outstanding that the last previous
bids Of those companies had been S49O
10 $500. the Crucible Steel Company,
the Bethlehem Steel Company and the
Midvale Steel Company bid al the
Sbnormally low prices of 1915, 1920 and
1894 each. These bids were well under
those submitted by Hadhelds. Ltd. and
that company could not obtain con
tract.
Need $4,000 More Men.
"The condition in the United States
to-day is briefly as follows: The navy
wants armor- piercing projectiles, but
IL does not want an inferior quality,
such as the manufacturers are willing
10 sell as such. The manufacturers.
although they have ample capacity and
although they know that projectiles in
accordance with the requirements can
be produced, are unwilling 20 under
take their production, but are endeav-
oring 70 force the Navy Department
20 pay the same price for an admitted
~ inferior product.
"What IL the answer? Theirs can be
only one, and that IS for the Navy De-
partment 20 own and operate its own
projectile plant. which will enable il
TO fiji It's own requirements and pos
sibly % improve on the qualities now
demanded OF private concerns"