The sun., 1917-12-20
1;O0OU.S,SH SHIPS
NC0MDlISSI0N
Daniels, First Witness, Says
Navy Is Ready for
Service.
SIMS DIDN'T COMPLAIN
Secretary Refuses to Answer
Questions Bearing on
Matters Of Strategy.
SIMS DIDN'T COMPLAIN
sy.cia, DesposeA to rus sus

Special DespotcA to TaB suy.
WARRINGTON. Dec. 1s.-In contrast
with the further disclosures Of the
Senate probe into, the army situation the
inaugural session to-day. Of The sub-
committee Of the NAVAL Affairs Commit
tee named to probe tho navy failed to
disclose any evidence OF inef'iciency by
that organization In the administration
Of its war problems or preparation for
them. &c."
The Secretary, OF. the Navy was the
first witness to appear before the COM
rnittee. and made a GENERAL statement
OF the condition OF the navy. Repre-
sentative Britten Of illinois then d.
rected some questions to the Secretary,
founded on information ne had received
from Representatives just returned here
nom Europe. These questions. IL an
been damaging TO the reputation Of the
navy for efficiency. but Mr.. Daniels was
able to deny then.
Mr.. Britten asked II complaints had
been made by vfce-Adn,lral Sims, In
command Of the American naval forces
in European waters. Of failure to act
promptly on reduis!tions and requests.
Mr.. Daniels denied that'su complaints
had been made.
Mr.. Britten then asked some other
| questions about the conduct Of the navy
In the war, based OH Information given
to him by. the same Representatives.
! Refuses 10 Answer Question.
Amy. question bearing on the strategy
of the navy will not answer. even in
executive session" Mr. Daniels re-
| torted. i.-
| Mr.. Brittsn asked the Secretary about
the censorship situation. Xif Daniels
, said It would be fatal to attempt to say
| to the press of tho country that no crit
| icisn OF governmental policy should be
| made
| "A great. many newspapeS mon have
said to me that they wanted a stric. CEN
sorshp IN order TO have weapon
against the newspapers which are prone
! TO Ignore or disregard our requests" the
Secretary said. ION the whole l think
We have done very well with the ques-
ton OF censorship. with the exception
rs say. OF n negligible few newspapers
which have come near the border l!pe o:
treason"
Touching the building programme tie
Secretary said that he ws. oppos%i TO
the cost plus contracts and that COM
! psrativeIy very few were In operation
All destroyer construction. however. is
on this basis. but the work 10 constantly
scrut!nized BY representatives OF the
board OF compensation and BY members
OF the board itself. consisting Of Rear
Admi<als Capps. Taylor. Grimm. Roe-
seau and Pay Inspector Potter. All
money spent must be passed upon py
them. the Secretary said.
| The majority Of the contractors, the
Secretary said, are working In a spirit
Of cooperation and patriotism. Ai. ~ nas
been the universal system to allow only
10 per cent. pront on the cost plus
plan. Ono or two contractors have tr!e.
to hold up the Navy Department for
more money than 1t was thought they
we're entitled to. he added.
Same Exceptions Cited.
I'VE have had to take few by the
rape OF the neck, who came In and sai,.
they wanted to do their bit who very
plainly wanted only 10 get their Bit
f.ark Of facilities to permit the rapid
completion Of the big destroyer pro-
Gramme. the Secretary said. had been
felt by shipbuildere. and /, has been
necessary to advance money to ship
DullQeTS 10 ehteUu II1eIE IdClltleS ana
hurry the programme.
1--WE have &2& ships in course o. con-
struction." Secretary Daniels added.
That does not include submarine chas-
ers. OF which We are building $50, and
doec not include the small craft. The
chasers will be In service by early
spring
Included IN taa l2& ships. he said,
were battle cruisers. battlesh,ps, scout
cruisers. destroyers. fuel ships. gun
boats. hospital ships. ammunition ships.
seagoing tugG, m.neswecpers and cub
marines.
Secretary Daniels said the navy row
had moro than 1000 ships in commits
sion as against 800 two years ago. and
an enlisted personnel OF 100000 officers
and men. compared with s4,sso men and
4.376 officers when America declared
war -.r
"Has the navy measured up?" he
asked, "it Is my firm belief at the
close OF the invest.sation your answer
will he. 1t has and the country has
every reason TO repose confidence In TIE
navy"
Rear Admiral Samuel Mcc;own. Pay
inasterA7encrAl Of the navy and chief
Of the bureau of supplies ana accounts,
was called before thA committee when
Mr. Daniels concluded.
The afternoon session developed little
OF vslus except disclosure OF the un-
doubted efficiency Of the bureau OF sup
plies and accounts, something which has
never been called IN question