Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-20
NAVY HOLDS OWN
UNDER Big STRAIN
'conliEueJ from First Pa.e.)

4 SSnl !l.IeV Ilolll fl.St pase.)
; are called for y telegraph and even
! by telephone"
When YOU come TO write the story
OF the war. Ia said. ono OF the most
thrilling chapters will be regarding
these young men who wen, on the
merchant ships and risked their lives.
/ | refer TO those who wen: on our 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 sccre-
tarN said. of the way the navy has
met the actual test OF war. am glad
for Congress and the public TO know
somewhat Of our activitics \ taking
OF stock. 50 10 speak, cannot fail to
hiring ways for still further improve
meni and for still more efficient work
in future. We feel VIC have done we'll
hut we still have problems. some OF
them very difficult. which we have been
trying 10 solve in the best way.pos-
sihie in the very brief time allotted
to solve ,hem.
To the best solution OF these prob-
lens we hope to have suggestions and
hcip trom this committee and from
congress We DO not claim that we
have done everything in the bes, nos
i
mistakes believe however. when
you know all We have attemp,el we
/ viii receive your confirming Judgment
that We have done as well as possible
under al circumstances. In some
things cred.table speed has been
/ achieved; In all things there has been
team work in Tho department. and in
thn entire service 20 have things we'll
done and thoroughly done,r
y I'm helWecn Secretary Daniels and
l'epresentativc Eritten cnlycned the
session Hrittcn asked, wha; com
paints had been made 10 the Navy
Department by Vice admiral Sims.
SINS GIVEN EVERYTHING
DEPARTMENT CAN FURNISH
th!ns. that is not proper nucs-
ton 10 ASH said Secretary Daniels.
VIII Say. though. inasmuch a.: the
Que ;:on ha" been ashch IN open ses-
SION that ADMIRAL Sims has been given
rNeryihin: that tbs navy has that il
could stre." Secretary Daniels said he
ala not believe mess gossip should be
banded about"
'If Admiral Sims tc adGed. .is not
getting everything ihat is needed it
~ matter for operations 10 say
whether he should have it, Operations
49, 'p'''' iNSs'' iFS al mat .tnniral
Sims needs that the department has
,h!ni. this Is very petty and small
business.
I'm asking ahou, facts" said Brit
ten.
IN YOU have any facts, give them"
shot back tho secretary
Eriiten said he hoped it was not the
desire OF the committee merely TO show
the Favorable condition OF the navy.
IF commanding officer here or
abroad said Rritten. complains that
he is not getting what he wants, i, is.
proper to ask about"
AZ 10 whether every requirement
nt ADMIRAL Sims on the European sta
ton has hefn complied WITH" replied
tue secretary. "or whether every mai
ter OF strategy has becn complied with
| would SAY those ought not t. be
asked about ADMIRAL Sims has made.
no complaint He asked for some par
ucn'"r ma0 TO go over there who
could not lie sent because Of Other
duties. There Is perfect understand.
ihE between Admiral Sims and the do
partnent."
NJ the afternoon session Rear.
mirai Mctiowan. chief OF the sunrlie,
ana accounts testified that Vice Ad
miral Sims's acquisitions were given
immediate attention in his hurcau
ne read an order he issued last June
directing that every request ana reuui.
Sit'on OF Admiral Sims be acted on ,ho
same day as received