Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-20
WOULD SAVE OIL FIELDS
As FUEL SUPPLY FOR NAVY
Daniels Appeals TO President for Use
"f Influence to Save Cali
fornia Reserves.
VITAL IN DEFENSE PROBLEM
Secretary Of Navy Submits Full Sum.
mary Of Situation, and Wilson Inn
mediatcly Begins Study Of Cues
lions Involved

WASHlNC;TON, May lo-Sccretary
10 use his influence TO save the navy's
reserves in the California oil fields AZ
vital step in the campaign for ado
uuatc national defense
should the bill, favorably reported
by the Senate Public Lands Committee,
10 !csaliHc certain entries on lands
withdrawn by President Taft in 900.
become law. Mr.. Wilson Was told. the
navy must abandon oil fuel. and re-
turn TO coal, with a consequent loss
u" stcaming radius and speed ot its
ships Navy designers have advised
the secretary that II would be unsafe
4" continue construction OF oil-bnrning
hattlecraft unless an adequate reserve
supply Of fuel was in sight
Mr. Daniels submitted fun sum.
mary 81 tho situation. and the Prcsi-
den, began studying tho problem i'm
mediately. as tho bill probably viii be
'akcn ur in the Senate next week.
y delegation 81 California oil opera.
tors, headed by former Governor
Gillette. Of that state. called on Score
tary Daniels to-day 10 tain the situa-
ton over. The conference Will be
called again, as no progress was made
u IS understood. however. that the
oil men were prepared to negotiate for
compromise bill
secretary Daniels already has talked
with many Senators. pointing out the
effect on tho navy il the bill is passed
and has hccn assured Of strong support
~ his opposition To the measure, both
III the senate and in the House. If the
PROVISIONS TO which he objects reach
the conference stage
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
DN SENATOR PHELAN
The hiil in question recently was re-
ported from the Senate committee nv
senator rhclan. OF California, as a
substitute for tho mineral lard-lcasinr
bill passed by The House According
t" experts Of the Navy Department, il
would lcEalizc 80 many claims within
reserve No. initiated since The TAN
withdrawal. that tho remainder would
We virtually worthless 10 the nav In
me "iN"' Two reserves, No. |. IN cali
!"rhia' ana No .. in Wyoming the
department. estimates there is available
only supply sufficient ." maintain
me navy Tor 1ftccn years in peace
Tunes or five years on a u.ar basis
senator Phelan's report. which ac-
comran'ch the bill. asserted that these
l"o reserves would maintain the navy
Tor 2e' years in neace and seventy
hNc years IN war" Secretary Daniels
writing 20 Chairman Myers. OF the
l.
issue with this statement. and also
questioned other assertions in the
Phclan report
Ia laying the matter before the
president, Mr.. Daniels pointed out that
q naval vessel built TO burn oil cannot
ne converted 10 coal burner without
practically rebuilding her, and that
the navy relied upon this reserve Of
on when the policy Of oil-burninc
battleships was adopted
if Inc navy - forced to depend en- :
lir"iN upon commercial supply OF
oil he said. the fuel cost OF the feet
Is certain I" lie very great. and il IA
possible that in time Of great danger
the efficiency Of the navy may he i'm
paired by An Inadequate supply OF
fuel oil
Mr.. Daniels also explained that navy
designers said tho possibility Of at.
tanning thirty ive-knot speed for The
battle cruisers. as now being designed
AZ we'll As for scout cruisers aud ds
stroyers. depends entirely on oi, fine,
With coal fuel i, is doubtful. the OK.
pcrtS agree. that more than thirty.
knots can be attained by battle
cruisers, and even that with a greatly
reduced cruising radius
SOUTH'S WEALTH GROWS