Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-12-20

gratifying strides, but has been ham
pered by lack of manufacturing faciI-
tiles.
Secretary Daniels praised the co
ordination between the personnel of
the navy and the personnel of the
allies.
one OF the great problems, he said.
was to furnish gun crews to merchant
ships.
We made these reserve sbips"
said Mr.. Daniels, "a school for g,r-
ners and the efficiency with which
the officers have taken hold, of the
young men and made the young men
etficient, is really one of the big
thlhgs of the navy in this war.
Merchant Fleet Armed,
When you come to write the storv
ol the war; he said, ION eof the
most thrilling chapters will be regard
ing these young men, wha-went ON the
merchant ships and rlsked their lives
refer to those who went on orr own
merchant ships, of course. We have
put guns on every ship going into the
submarine war zone that requested
it."
we are rather proud" the secre-
tary said, "of the way the navy has
met the actual test of war / am glad
Tor congress and the public to know
somewhat of our activities. A taking
stock, so to speak, can not fail TO
bring ways for still further improve.
ment and for still more efficient work
In the future. We feel we have done
well but we still have problems, some
OF them very difficult, which we have
been trying to solve in the best way
possible in the very brief time allotted
to solve them.
Hope for Suggestions.
For the best solution of these
problems we hope to have suggestions
and help from this committee and
from congress. We do not claim that
we have done everything In the best
possible way or that we have made
no mistakes. | believe, however
when you know all we have attempt
ed, we will receive your confirming
judgment that we have done as well
as possible under all circumstances
In some things creditable speed has
been achieved; in all things there
has been team work in the depart
ment and In the entire service to have
things well done and thoroughly
DONE"
oil fnrI h. 4.
eXlgencies at the outset of the war
keels had been laid where there were
swamp lands, but a few months be-
fore and how mechanical equipment
had been developed.
Contractors Are Patriotic.
Most contractors, he said, have
been fair and patriotic. "There have
been a few" he said, I'VE had to take /
by the nape of the neck; they came in |
saying they wanted to do their bit but
really wanted their bite"
He did not like the cost plus the per
cent system, he said, but it was the
best the navy could do to get quick |
action and it had been necessary. A tiff |
between Secretary aDniels and Rep.
resentative Britton enlivened the ses-
sion. Britton asked what complaints
had been made TO the navy depart |
ment by Vice Admiral SIMS
Oversee Force Looked After.
II think that is not a proper ques-
ton to ask" said Secretary Daniels. |
Il will say, though, inasmuch as the |
question has been asked in open ses-
sion that Admiral Sims has been |
given everything that the navy has
tha: it could give"
Secretary Daniels said he did not |
believe mess gossip" should be |
banded about"
"If Admiral Sims" he added, "is !
Lot getting everything that is needed,
it is a matter for the bureau of cper
atoms to say whether he should have |
II. 'he bureau has spent itself giving |
oil that Admiral Sims needs that the |
department has. l think this is very |
petty and small business"
I'm asking about facts" said Frit-
ton.
"If you have any facts give Them"
snot back the secretary.
Britton said he hoped 1t was not the
~e-~SN~~~~~~~~-c-~S~---
(CVptlnucd on rage fwo.)