The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-16
NAWPERSONNELTO
Be INCREASED
TO 131,405

The coming year will see America
sweeping into European waters with
the greatest destroyer force in the
history OF the world.
! In addition during the next two
months many submarine chasers will
be rushed abroad to battle the u
boat menace.
These two facts, presented to the
House Naval Committee by Navy De-
partment officials yesterday, brought
home the allied confidence expressed
some months ago that August would
see the German submarine danger
successfully COPIED with.
Personnel Increase.
And the surprising developments
also served to break down opposI-
ton in the committee to Secretary
Daniels urge that the navy person
mel be permanently increased to 49,
ass enlisted men.
The navy detectives were revealed
in letters written by Admirals Palmer
and Benson, and Secretary Daniels
communicated to the committee in
1 support OF the navy personnel bill.
The letters revealed also a serious
lack in men Mt to command in the
nayy-so serious in fact that Admiral
Palmer expressed fear that failure
to provide the officers would actually
endanger Americas opportunities for
! victory.
The cruiser force, he said, Is un-
prepared for scout duty, since COM
nanders OF this force are engaged
now in transport work. Destroyer
and submarine forces to operate
against surface craft would have to
be organized into squadrons and
there are now no officers to command
them.
British Commander.
Two squadrons OF destroyers
abroad, he said, have no commander
except ADMIRAL Bailey, a British Of
hcer.
1t will be impossible to utilize the
great destroyer and submarine chaser
forces to be sent abroad this year to
good advantage without proper Of
! hcers to command them.
Palmer recommends a total Of six
rear sdm;rals to command these
/ forces and two more rear admirals
to command the so-called boats. The
/ total number Of rear admirals re-
! CURED during the next year is thirty
three, while the naval bill calls for
only eighteen, he said.
The passage OF the Senate amend
! ment calling for the increase will
mean this country is permanently
| committed TO a large navy. The en-
| listed personnel prior 10 the war
was about 1900.
VIII Support Plan.
Several members OF the House Naval
Affairs Committee who have been
against the increase declared they
| would support IT because Secretary
Daniels had asked it.
At the same time they branded
| Palmer's statements as exaggerations,
| and declared that authorization for a
! permanent increase would not speed
| the permanent offering Of the navy.
Congressman Oliver, Alabama, de-
! clared Palmer had testified before
/ a naval subcommittee only a few
] weeks ago that the navy was suf-
! 1ciently differed at present, and that
| the system now operating would fur
nish enough officers for future in
| grasses.
Chairman Padsett OF the Naval
! Committee, said he would support
| the increase plan. There are now in
| the navy about 1900 officers. repre-
senting a shortage OF 200. with an
/ increase to 1915 the navy will be
entitled TO $500 permanent Officers on
| the basis Of 4 per cent officers TO en-.
tire enlisted personnel.
Shortage of 5000.
This viii leave a shortage Of 8 OOo
| permanent officers, and 1t will take
eight years TO fiji this shortage, be-
cause permanent officers must be
Annapolis graduates" Padgett said.
I'VE have provided J, 40 tempor-
airy officers in the nav appropriations
bill, and this together with officers
now in the service will bring the total
to nearly $500"
Backers OF the increase took the
following statement OF Admiral Ben
son as an answer TO Padgett:
Reserve officers and reserve en-
listed men have their places in the
work to be done, but ships upon
which these figures Q3l,4 1851 are
based must be manned by the reg
ular establishment"
Congressman Britton Of Illinois |
came out strong for the navy increase
several days ago. He promised TO |
force q roll call on every motion con-
nected with the amendment when IL
Icomes up Monday or Tuesday.