New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-20
Secretary Asserts Sims
Got Everything Possible
Resents "Mess Gossip" About American Sea
Forces; U. S. Prepared by Adding Hundreds
of Ships to Fleet and Contracting for More

WASHINGTON, Dec. ia recita
by Secretary Daniels of how the nav!
prepared for war by adding severa
hundred ships to the fleet and letting
contracts for hundreds of others, in
cluding dreadnoughts, battle-cruisers
destroyers and auxiliaries, and an ex
planation of the operation of the navy
supply department by Rear Admira
McGowsn, paymaster general, marked
the opening to-day of the inquiry by
a House subcommittee into the navy's
war activities.
The subcommittee adjourned to-day
without fixing any time for resumine
the hearing. and probably will not meet
again until after Christmss.
Representative Britten, of Illinois
asked Secretary Daniels whether the
department had received sny com
plants from Nice-Admral Sims, COM
msnding naval forces in the war zone
The Secretary said the question was
improper and that mess gossip
should not be landed about, but he
added that Admiral Sims had received
everything possible that the navy
could give.
Later, when Admiral McGowan was
called to the stand, he submitted an
order issued b. him several months
ago directing that Admiral Sims's re-
quests for supplies be acted upon on
the same day they were received.
Navy Is Building 424 Ships
"Wc have 424 ships in course OF
construction" Secretary Daniels told
the committee. THAT does not include
submarine chasers, of which we are
building $50, and does not include the
small craft. The chasers will be in
service by early spring"
Included in the 424 ships, he said
were battle-cruisers, battleships, scout
cruisers, destroyers, fuel ships, gun
boats, hospital ships, ammunition ships,
seagoing tugs, mine sweepers and sub
marines.
The navy at the beginning Of its par
ticipation in the war, the witness CON
tinued, had at its disposal the money
needed for most of the expansion i'm
mediately required, and in pressing
cases where funds were lacking over
obligations were incurred. Within the
last few days the navy has had to ask
for SS6 1000. 900, in addition to the regu-
lar estimates, amounting to S1,039,000,- ;
600 for the next fiscal year, now be-
fore the House Naval Committee.
Secretary Daniels said the navy now
had more than one thousand ships in
commission, as against 300 two years
ago, and an enlisted personnel of $780,
600 officers and men. CONF ared with
64.6SO men and 4,376 officers when
America declared war.
Says Navy Has Measured Up
"Has the navy measured up?" he
asked. at is my firm belief at the
close of the investigation your answer
will be 1T has, and the country has
every reason TO rep0se confidence IN
the navy.
The tiff between Secretary Daniels
and Representative Britten enllyened
the session. Britten asked what com
plants had been made to the Navy
Department by Vice-Admiral Sims.
II think that is not proper question
to ask" said Secretary Daniels. Il
will say. though, inasmuch as the ques-
tion has been asked in open session.
that Admiral Sims has been given
everything that the navy has that 1t
could give
Secretary Daniels said he did not be
lieve "mess gossip" should be banded
about"
"If Admiral Sims" he added, "is not
getting everything that is needed 1t
is matter for operations TO say
whether he should have it. Operations
has spent itself giving all that Ad-
miral Sims needs that the department