Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-20

sentative Brittcn. OF Illinois. asked Sec
rctary Daniels whether the depart
ment had received any complaints from
Vice Admiral Sims. commanding Amcri-
can naval forces in the war zone. The
secretary said til" question was inn
proper and that mess gossip should
not be banded about. but he added
that Admiral Sims had been given
everything possible that the navy could
give.
LARGE BUILDING rRcGRAM
HEING RUSHED RAPIDLY
Some months ago he directed tnat
Admira, Simss requests for supplies
be acted upon the same day they were
received.
We have t2t ships in cours OF con-
struction.' Secretary Daniels told the
committee. That docs not include
submarine chascrs of which We are
building $50. ond docs not include the
small craft, The chascrs Will he in
service by carly spring" Included in
the t24 ships. ne said. we're battle
cruisers. battlcships. scout cruisers.
dcstroycrs. fuel ships. sunhoats. hos
piial ships, ammunition ships sea-
going tnss. mine swccpers and sub
Marines
The navy. al the beginning OF its
preparation in tho war. the witness
continued had a. it's disposal tho money
needed for most Of the expansion i'm.
mcdiately required, and, in pressing
cases where funds were lacking. over
obligations were incurred. Within the
last few days the navy has had TO ask
for 's6.0oo.o00 In addition TO the rcsu-
lar estimates. amounting TO sIoSs. .0oo.-
600 for the next lscal year. now before
the House Navy Committee.
INCREASES IN NAVY
TRACED BN DANIELS
secretary Daniels said the navy nov.
had more than one thousand sbins in
commission. as against 500 two years
ago, And an enlisted personnel OF $50.
ooo officers and men compared with
$3.50 men and 4.316 officers when
America declared war
has the navy n1css ssurcd up" he
asked. Il; is my firm belief at the
close OF Tho Investigation your answer
VIII be 1T has and tho country has
every reason to rcposc confidence in
the navy"
Honiral McGowan told the committee
mat all purchases for the entire ,,v,,
establishment. except armor plate. -uns
and ammunition. had been centralized
In the bureau OF supplies and account.
under his direction. SO that .dvont,-.
could be taken OF favorable m,rke,
conditions. Now. however. the marlat.
are abnormal. he said. this having bcer
rejected in increased costs OF naval
operation including the daily ration
allowance.
as an illustration of how the.burcau
operates TO set needed supplies when
none are ava liable OF the open marle.
Admiral MCGOWAN told of seiy;nr ooo
tons of tin
We needed The tin and tried to &c.
it," the witncsa said. but tho tin-nIate
people did not want to eve il up be-
cause ii would interfere with their
stocks The war industries board had
no power 10 commander the tin. we
found out where there We're tin stocks.
and sen, naval officers to tie places
with orders TO hold the tin subject TO
navy orders. 1t wasn't commander
ing; We just seized it,
ALI. MANUFACTURERS IN
IT'S FIELD Or BIDDING
H.
listed practically every manufacturer
in the United States in its field OF bid
ding. and that it had 1000 firms on
its mailing list,
Questioned by Representative Will
son. OF Texas, he said many cypert
civilians were dcvotinG their time at
sma II salaries in his bureau.
I'm general" he added. there is not
4 job-seeker among the whole lot.
They're hand picked ! 'shanshaied'
some Of these civilians. and have re-
fused to accept designations"
Secretary Daniels had really struck
the Keynote in saying that recruiting
was almost too sIccessfur in view Of
the need OF quick and complete cloth
ing OF the men" said the witness. re-
verting TO suggestion by Representa-
tive Britten regarding clothing They
hsd the same difficulty in England.
However every man in our navy is
amply clothed. AMI If they wore any
more than they do they could nor
walk
Admiral Mcticwan said there was no
likelihood OF a shortage OF clothing at
any time. and added that life preservers
have been suggested for every en- listed
man who goes TO sea.
''Thre is no red tape in the Navy De-
partment in making purchases" said
the witness. The majority OF large
orders are acted Oh 'instenttr, depend
ns. Of course. or their urgency. Where
supplies are immediately needed, bids
CONTINUED on Second Page) " 5l