The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-01

mored cruiser. three protected cruisers. four scout cruisers, three destroyers and two collers.
 The Secretary also presented table of the worlds naval tonnage which showed that Germany and the United States passed France in naval power about the same time, in 1911. According to these figures, the United States navy never has been in second place. France dropping from second to fourth at that time, while Germany became second and the United States third.
 The question of giving admiral s rank to the chief of operations was brought up by Representative Roberts who pointed out that the regulation promulgated by Secretary Daniels for that office conferred upon the officer all the authority of a chief of staff He said he wished to 1egalize the reg ulations so that future secretaries, while they could add to the powers conferred, could take nothing from them. Secretary Daniels thought it would be unwise to limit the executive head of the navy department in that way.
 Representative Browning asked about the construction of battleships 43 and A in government yards. He read list of the material private bid- ders had sought to eliminate, saying increased cost of material and labo: made it impossible to build them with in the limits of the appropriation oth- erwise. Secretary Daniels said the lower bids of the yards included cv- erything except insurance, bond and trial trip expenses, amounting to $l5o,- 900, while the figures quoted by the yards were more than $20o.00O below the lowest private bidder.
 ALLOWED THE SQUEEZE
 Representative Kelley, explaining that he was in doubt about the pend- ing bill for a government armor plase factory. asked what the policy of the navy department had been in early days of the armor industry.
 "The policy of the department" sa'd the secretary twas to let contractors charge the government eXorbltant prices"
 "You would not be willing to change your attitude as to the armor plant asked MT. Kelley, "even if you your self were permitted to fix the price of armor as now proposed by the man. ufacturers?"
 MT. Daniels replied that he did not think that would be 8 proper policy, adding that the proposal was death bed repentance" since it was made only after the Senate had passed the bill. IN t& Ex M
 MT. Daniels reverted to the Pacific situation to say that it seemed to him probable that as the fleet was ex- banded division would be sent into the Pacific for maneuvers. reJo1nlnS the main fleet via the canal for f-c- quent joint operations.
 Representative Roberts asked what objection there would be to authoriz- ing 10000 or 25,000 additional men Tor the navy this year.
 q don't think we need or could get them now" MT. Daniels said. we Will have by the next Congress fuller study of the number of men necessary for each ship. I hope to present a scheme then for automatic increases n personnel as new ships are added. l think my recommendation for 15,oC" additional men will meet all our needs this year."
 Chairman Padgett hopes to conclude the hearings on the naval bill next Monday when MT Daniels will resume the stand. The secretary still has be- fore him examination by members whose previous attitude has indicated an intention of opposing any large building programme and those who have implied or stated criticism Of Mf. Daniels himself.