The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-20
Both Army and Navy Prepar-
atoms Under Investiga-
ton by Congress.
DANIELS Is WITNESS
Secretary Details Activities
and Progress in His
Department.

Washington. Dec. la.-War prepara-
tons of both the army and navy now
are under Investigation by congress.
\,ile the senate military committee
continued its INJURY into ordnance
shortages. the house naval sub-com-
mittce today opened hearings on tn"
activities of the navy department.
Secretary Daniels and Rear Admiral
Nct;owan We're the navy witnesses ana
they told in detail. and with evil
dent satisfaction Of the accomplish
ments of their departments in meeting
the extraordinary activities required
ly the war. Other testimony probably
will not be heard by the committee
until after the holidays and then
much of il will be in executive session
on account Of military secrets in
Nolved.
What Has Been Done.
A recital by Secretary Daniels OF
how the navy prepared for war by add
ing several hundred ships to the fleet
and letting contracts for hundreds of
others. including dreadnauShts. battle
cruisers, destroyers and auXliaries.
and an explanation Of the operation Of
the navy supply department by Rear
Admiral MCGOWAN. paymaster general
marked the opening today of the in
uuirv by a house sub committee into
the navys war activities
The sub committee adjourned to-
night without fixing any time for re
Stunning the hearing and probably will
not meet again until after Christmas
Probe Munitions Making.
Private munitions manufacturers oc.
cupied today's hearing of the senate
committee. They agreed that there
had been delays at the outset. but that
production of rifles and machine guns
of the finest type now was proceeding
rapidly.
The manufacturers enthusiastically
praised both new types of American
weapons. They told of private enter
prise In anticipating the nations war
necessities. and one of them criticised
the ordnance bureau for alleged indif-
ference to the probability of war. He
said the department heads brusquely
declined to consider ordering machine
guns Immediately after the German
ambassador had been dismissed
Orders for rifles placed several
months after war was declared the
manufacturers were agreed. are far
ahead of contracted deliveries, without
Yet reaching maximum factory capac-
ity. Virtually all Of the contracts fol
rifles, machine guns and cartridges,
they testified, are on the cost plus
a per cent OF profit basis, with ma :
chinery in their plants owned By the
government.
Two More Scheduled.
Two more Of the wartime investisa-
tions will start Friday. The senate
interstate commerce committee plans
to begin its study of the railroad prob
lem and the senate commerce commit
tee will take up the troubles of tn,
shipping board.
Continue Sugar Probe.
Investigation Of the sugar situation
by the senate manufactures commit
tee may be concluded tomorrow witt
the testimony Of Food Admnlstrato
Hoover and Friday or Saturday the
committee will launch its coal inquiry
Earl u. Babst, president Of tn,
American Sugar Refining company
testified today largely concerning TN,
fiHing of the price of the Louisau;
crop and its relation to the beet suga
when the shortage in the east firs
became acute and in answer to charge
Of Claus A. Spreckels, which n. char
actcrizea as small talk"
Sprcckels had charged that Bahs
met with a committe" Of Louisiana
planters and representatives Of tn
food administration in Washinstu
during October when the price to h
paid the planters WAS fixed. Bahst to
day said he was at the conference, btl
withdrew before prices were diseusse,
Later he added committee of plan,
crs called at his hotel and he purchase
5000 short tons Of raw sugar an
agreed TO take UP to an aggregate ,
100000 tons at 6.35 cents a pound tn
price the committee had set