Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
NAVY STORY
TOLD; PROUD
OF ITS WORK
Secretary Daniels Opens the
Meet With d General
Review.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Senate in
quiries into the transportation sit
uation, both rail and ship, have
been added to the series Of the war
activity investigations to be con-
Quoted by congressman during the
Christmas recess.
When congress adjourned yes
terday until Jan. 8 the senate left
behind 1t five Investigations, army
preparations and sugar In full
swing. one on Senator LaFoilette's
st. Paul speech, pending, and
these on railroad and shipping af-
fairs to be begun. A house conf
mittee is hearing testimony on
the nayy's activities.
Secretary Daniels and Paymaster
General MCGOWAN of the navy were
the first witnesses summoned TO ap-
pear today before the house naval sub
committee delegated to begin an in
vestigation into the nayy's war activ-
tiles.
Chairman Oliver of the sab-eommit-
tee said that he expected number Of
leading naval authorities, including
those abroad, would furnish informa-
ton to the committee, particularly re-
gardIng the navy's work overseas.
Building Hundreds of Ships.
Secretary Daniels gave a general re-
view of what the navy has been do
ing, avoiding, as he explained, dis
closing any facts that would be OF
value to the enemy. He told how the
navy is now building 424 capital and
other important ships.
Discussing the use of submarine
chasers, he said they were regarded
as a necessity and there was INC
great enthusiasm" about them as q
weapon for permanent effectiveness.
| Naval aviation, he said has made
gratifying strides but has been ham
, pered by lack OF manufacturing IA
cilities.
Secretary Daniels praised the Co
ordination between the personnel 6.
! the navy and the personnel OF tnt
allies. One Of the great problems, he
said, was to furnish gun crews II
merchant ships.
I'VE made these reserve ships" SAID
Mr.. Daniels, "a school for gunners ant
the efficiency with which these officer
have taken hold of the young mel
and made them efficient is. really onr
of the, big things Of the navy in this
| war.
Glad of the Publicity.
[ sryTro ora -,+Lcr rro,,d 4ba zao-a
! tary said. "of the way the navy ha:
met the actual test of war. l am giat
for congress and the public to SCI
some Of our activities.
"A taking stock. so to speak, can
not fail to bring ways for still furthe
Improvement and for still more eff
cient work in the future We feel W,
have done we'll, but we still have prob
lens, some of them very difficult
which we have been trying to solv
in the best way possible in the yer,
brief time allotted to solve them.
ITO the best solution of these prob
! lens we hope to have suggestions an
help from this committee and from
congress. We do not claim that W
have done everything in the best pos
sible way or that we have made n
mistakes. / believe, however, whe
you know all we have attempted W
will receive your confirming judgmen
that we have done as well as possibl
under all circumstances"
Secretary Daniels told how, in tn
. exigencies at the outset of the wal
: keels had been laid where there wer
: swamp lands but a few months be
{ fore and how mechanical equipmen
| had been developed
| Most contractors, he said. have bee
! fair and patriotic There have bee
a few" he said, 1--WE had to take b
the nape of the neck; they came i
5 saying they wanted to do their bit, bu
Y really wanted their bite"
i He did not like the cost plus per
: centage" system, he said, but it wa
:, the best the navy could do to &c
quick action and ii was necessary.
Discuss Vice Admiral.
: A tiff between Secretary Daniel
q and Representative Britten enlivene
z the session. Britten asked what com