Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-03-13
-,~ZCon1nittee Of National
House Of Representatives
Makes Highly LaudatoD
Report,
SIMS AND MAYO ARE
ESPECIALLY PRAISED
Everything Called for byFight-
ilg-EntCeS- Has Been Fur
nished Promptly U-boatS
Not Dreaded,

lay MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LGksEo wrs<l
Washington. March 12.-The direc-
ton and activities of the navy in tho
war drew the highest praise today
from the house committee which rc-
Gently completed an investigation Of
naval affairs, The navy's work TO-
the twelve months past, it was de-
clared, presents a record of remark
able achievement
Handicapped at the start of war br
a limited personnel and material, tho
navy, the report said. was suddenly
called on to face many difficult and
untried problems and has met the
situation with rare skill lug; cnutty
and dispatch and high degree OF sue
cess
The investigating committee was
made up of members OF the house
naval affairs committee, with Rep
rosentative Oliver OF Alabama as its
chairman. During It's hearings tcsti-
mony was given by Secretary Daniels.
head of all the navy offices and bn-
reaus and by other officials and wit
nesses.
Lands Marine Corps.
In its report the committee took
occasion to land the marine corps and
declared there are today no better
trained or more effective fighting
forces in France. 1t recommended
that the number OF marines abroad
be increased, declaring both officers
and men are thoroughly equipped
and splendldly trained.
The readiness of the Atlantic flerc
for action at the outbreak of war, the
report says, was due largely TO the
efficiency OF the bureau of operations
under Admiral Benson. The bureau.
lit is declared has done exceptional
work because of the excellence OF its
staff.
Would Resume Program
Another recommendation OF the
kcommittee was that the navy's great
Ithree-year building program Of capt
! tai ships as well as auxiliaries, tent
lporarily delayed because of the i'm
mediate need of destroyers and small
er craft to fight the submarine. be re-
sumed and that both scout and battle
cruisers be provided. Without such
cruisers, the committee said. the
dreadnaught fleet loses a large part
of it's fighting potentlality.
Praising the navy's bureau of sup
| plies, the report said that under It's
Do at,SfI al
Gowan, the bureau has established -
nationwide reputation for business ef-
ficiency" The bureau is responsible
lfor feeding, clothing and paying the
lentire personnel of the navy. and the
report said that 100000 men and
! 100 ships now are just as promptly
and we'll provided for as $4,000 men
land 800 ships had been before the
war.
The report follows:
IAN appropriations for the navy
| have been expended or oblisate1 with
| Judgment, caution and economy, con-
sidering that haste was necessary I"
! bring results and abnormal condi-
/ tions obtained in reference to al
problems of production or operations.
The navy, with limited aersonne'
and material, was suddenly called 70
| face many difficult and untried prob
! lens in sea warfare. and has met the
situation with rare skin, tngenuiy Y
and dispatch and high degree OF
success.
Praises Organization.
The efficiency of the navy's pre-
war organization, the readiness and
| fitness of its men and ships for the
difficult and arduous tasks imposed
by war were early put to the acid
test. and thus far. in no way have
| been found wanting. VIC feel thai
the past twelve months presents for
the navy a remarkable record .Tf
achievement, of steadily increasinf
power in both personnel and mate
rial, of rapidly eXpa nding resources
and of well-matured plans Tor the fu-
ture, whether the war he of long or
i short duration.
at is a matter of regret" the re-
port added, that tho great demand
upon the ship construction capacity
of the country, coupled with the ur-
gent demand for large increase in
the destroyer force has made nee
essary a temporary abandonment IN
part of the navy shipbuilding pro
gram. The navy greatly needs both
scout and battle cruisers without
which our dreadnaught fleet loses a
large part of its fighting po.entiality
We approve the principle and earn
estly favor a resumption of tho build
/, ing program, as soon as conditions
, permit and cannot too strongly cm-
. phasize the importance of pro"' IT,;
both scout and battle cruisers