The sun., 1919-01-01
NAVY BOARD AND
DANIELS DISAGREE
Secretary Says His Advisers
Believe 100000 Men Insult
ficient for Plan.
APPROVED BY PRESIDENT
Programme for Sea Forces
Outlined for the House
Committee.
Special Despatch to Tus suS.

WASHINGTON. Dec 31.--Secretary DAN
tells never permits the General Board to
Ak anything nor does he always heed
the advice OF his bureau chiefs when he
Is contemplating changes In his naval
pclicy. he stated to-day when he ap-
.peared again before the House Naval
Committee to urge the creation OF an
American Navy second to none.
The function of the General Board he
described as advisory in 81 far "a he
was concerned. He confessed that sorte
Of his plans for the future upbuildins OF
the navy had not met with the approval
OF his advisers. He intimated, however.
that they had received the approval OF
President Wilson. These included:
Abolition of the seniority rule In the
rasng of officers from one rank to
apother promotions of officers to be
determined strictly on merit by the
votes of an election board OF nine Ad-
mirals.
Restoration Of the four years course
at Annapolis which the war suspended.
Would Transfer Reserves.
Transfer from the temporary ser
vice 10 the permanent establishment
OF 1000 reserves or temporary officers.
who shall pass the necessary physical
and mental tests.
Employment of enough men OF tho
Naval Reserve TO increase the per-
sonnet of the permanent esta bli shment
to 100000. which are deemed neces-
sary." said Mr.. Daniels not only to
operate the ships OF the navy but to
provide men for the ships under the
Shipping Board.
Continuation of the increased pay
ranging from Sc to SIS a month for
the personnel OF the navy which Con-
gress provided as a war measure May
~, 1915, as an Involvement for skilled
and educated men to Join ,the navy.
One months pay as q sratuity on
discharge from service.
The Secretary took pains to explain
that some of his advisory bureau chiefs
did not agree with him that an increase
of the Nays enlisted personnel TO $780,
600 would be sufficient. They thought
the figure ought to be higher he said,
but then there had always been tend
ency on the part of the navy officers TO
regard having, too many men as a better
policy than having too few"
Il always weigh the opinions OF those
around me carefully and then form my
oTn," the Secretary remarked.
Representative Britten Ull.) showed
a disposition to disagree with tDe Secre-
tary on the number of officers and men
the navy would require II the Secre-
tary's three year building programme
were continued.
Bureau to submit Opinion.
I'VE have not enough officers to man
cur ships now" Mr.. Britten said. The
general board. the bureau of operations
and the bureau Of navigation have all
estimated that the navy will need more
officers and men than you have figured
cut"
Mr.. Daniels explained that he had in
structed his bureau chiefs with whom
he did not always agree" to present
their estimates and opinions TO the COM
mittee so it's members could decide be-
tween those OF his Admirals and chiefs
and his own. It was for the committee
TO decide whether he was right or
wrong. he added He said the American
ships had carried bigger personnel
even during the war than the British.
Even after the battle OF Juuand, he
said, British war craft carried a smaller
complement than the American He
cited the British superdreadnought
Queen Elizabeth as an example. assert
ing that she only carried 1,0l6 officers
and men while the Arizona and the
PENNSYLVANIA had 1,540 and lao re-
spectively.
In urging legislation 10 sanction his
plans the Secretary submitted the fol-
lowing memorandum:
The permanent strength OF the navy
to-day is as follows:
Enaieted men .................... 13l ,fsa
Apprentics eeanlen ....s....-..-'.- 900
Flying corps ........-.. '.......'.s 800
Hoxn,:al corps ...............-... b,12O
total ''''''"' 40 wv
The temporary strength of the navy
to-day, which will be reduced to the
above permanent strength six months
of.er the signing OF treaty OF peace, is
as follows:
ENLISTED men 10 l'fsA
Apprentice eeamea ......,........ $4,000
Trade schools .....'........'.., ItOVV