Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-20
i24 SHIPS
Continued from Page One)


a..
r." secretary admitted that the adj
Mira md asked for a particular man
taa ala not be sent. but insisted
az there was a perfect understand
az between the admiral and the de-
partment He said mess gossip should
~ be handled about and the ques-
IONS ~ The representative were small
lid petty business"
Representative Britten asked what
1rpau:s had been made to the navy
apartment by Vice Admiral Sims.
n think that is not n proper question to
,sk said Secretary Daniels. II will saw.
'folgh, inasmuch rs the question has
zen asked IN open session. that Admiral
Sinus nag been given everything that the
rAy' bag that II could give"
Secretary Daniels said he did not be-
eye mess gossip should be banded
about
m Admiral Sims" he added. lis not
gs'ung everything that is needed it is a
matter FOR operations to say whether he
should have IT. Operations has spent IT.
's,' giving all that Admiral Sims needs
Ia, the department has. think this is
cry patty and small business. Admiral
SINS las made no complaint He asked
''r some particular man to go over there
who ouli not be sent because Of other
flues There is a perfect Understanding
etw"en Admiral Sims and the DEPART
ment
Little Enthusiasm over Chasers
discussing the use OF subma rine chasers
secretary Daniels said they were regard
ID as necessity and there was mo great
Enthusiasm about them as a weapon for
ornament effectiveness. Naval aviation.
ne said. has made gratifying strides but
3. been hampered by lack of manufac
'arng facilities.
He praised the coordination between
ne personnel OF tho navy and the persop.
mel Of the Allies
One great problem he said, was n
lIrnisn gun crews to merchant ships
we made these reserve ships a school
for sunners." he said, land the eli.
'lencv with which these officers have
AIKEN hoid or the young men and made
ne young men efficient, is really one
4 The big things OF the navy in This
war.
'"Uf' FNtaR Lives
"hen YOU como to write the story
~ Inc war one OF the most thrilling
chapters viii be regarding these young
msn VINO went in the marchant ships
ana rsked their lives / refer to those
vho went on our own merchant ships
~ course. We have put guns on every
shp going into submarine war zones
that requests II.
"e are rather proud OF the way the
navy has met the actual test of war
! An slad for Congress and the pub
no 10 know somewhat Of our activities
taxing stock. so to speak. cannot
ran TO bring ways for still further i'm
provemcnt"
seeretary Daniels said that most
contractors had been fair and patriotic.
He added:
There have been few we have had
70 TAX" by the nap Of the neck: they
sme IN saying they wanted to do their
''t hut really wanted their bite"
Centralized in Supply Bureau
Admiral MCGOWAN explained to the
committee that all purchases for the en-
u'e naval establishment except armor
pa'e guns and ammunition, had been
"huanzed in the bureau of supplies and
accounts under his direction so that adj
shtase could be taken OF favorable mar
Fet conditions. Now. however. all the
"a'het are abnormal. he said this being
''Heeted IN increased costs of naval op-
'raoonS. including the daily ration al
owancc
- AZ illustration OF how the bureau
a nh at
none are available on the open market
Nunlfal MCGOWAN told of Selling 1000 tons
w when tho tinplate people did not
an !" give II up because IL would inter
ere with their stocks.
no witness said the bureau had enlist
virtually every manufacturer in the
.hhed states in it's field of bidding and
had n.oS firms on its mailing list
Civilian 0evoting Time
question by Rep. Wilson OF Texas. the
.amral said many export civilians were
"'ouns their time at small salaries in
ns bureau.
~ general he added, there Is not a
W seeker among the whole lot. They re
"u PICKED. | shanghaied' some of
civilians and have refused to &C
sp resignations."
NuHiral MCGOWAN reverting to a
'sseston Of Representative Britten
NAT shoes too large and overcoats too
NneI had been sent TO the Great Lakes
''ation, said IL his orders had been
'ftied out promptly this would have
'een obviated
secretary Daniels has really struck
Key note in saying that Recruiting
as almost too successful in view of
need 81 quick and complete cloth
81 the men" said the witness
'"eN had the same difficulty in Eng
'"H However. every man in our navy
amply clothed and If they wore any
more than they do they could not
walk
"epying TO Representative Britten,
Namiral MCGOWAN said there was no
'Selhood Of a shortage OF clothing at
shN time ~ oAAad NFa rreeary-