The sun., 1919-05-29

operations, told the committee that not
less than sixteen first class battleships
with total complement OF 20,SS6 men
would be kept In commission as peace
time force. The Admiral was closely
questioned by committee members re-
garding the possibility OF making radical
reductions in the compliments OF the
first class ships. They pointed out that
such reductions would mean a large saw
ing TO the Government and would be
consistent with the idea of postwar
economy.
Admiral Mexican made It plain that
he was not in favor of large reductions.
He said the personnel OF a ship could
not be decreased without decreasing the
vessels efficiency.
British Patterning After u. 3.
Admiral Mexican said fewer men were
used on British ships than on American
craft of the same type. due partly to the
fact that Great Britain has more men
trained to the work, and partly to the
fact that the British term OF enlistment
Is longer.
"I want to say, though" the Admiral
added, that the British are not whit
more efficient than our men. AS
whole. I believe our men stack up better,
taking everything into consideration.
This is proved in part by the fact that
the British navy In patterning itself In
many ways after ours"
The cost to the United States OF each
man In the navy averages Sl,2OO year.
the witness said
Decision of the board was reached
after hearing the views of Rear Al
mirals Taylor. Earle and Grlffin, CHIEF
technical advisers to Secretary Dan
lels, who accompanied the Secretary on
the recent trip to Europe. While ABOARD
the officers discussed ship construction
with Admiralty officials in Great Brit
ain, France and Italy and they evloeht-
ly found little favor there for the COM
posite shin. such as Great Britain built
during the war.
Work on the six battle cruisers was
suspended by Secretary Daniels pend
ing his trip. but 1t is understood that
1t will be resumed with n view to COM
pleting the vessels as soon as possible
The American navy is now without any
ships of this class.
Representative Hicks New York;
engaged in a lively discussion with Ad'
miral Mexican regarding the early dis
charge OF men from the navy. Mr.
Hicks said the discomfort among the
people over the navy's holding the mer
was widespread and asked II the Adj
miral did not think it would be possible
to reduce the complement of the mer
below the number actually needed &c
satisfy the demand and then later re-
cruit up to the necessary number.
I'VE are keeping the men because we
have to-" the Admiral replied. 1--WE
dare not let the navy drop down to the
state of unpreparedness which such q
decrease would result in. II we die
any one could come along and bump vi
of.
II don't see where we can go an,
| further than we have. Two-thirds o.
our fighting ships have been placed II
reserve, but the battleships and destroy
ers we must keep. We should not ever
be aiding the army in bringing back oul
soldiers from Europe
as not that of the greatest impor
tance at this timer Mr. Hicks asked.
! Our duty is higher than bringing tn,
men back" Admiral Mexican said "Ou
duty Is to guard the country from dan
ger. IT is almost q sacrilege to use ou
ships for Transports"
What is the danger you fear?" asked
Mr.. Hicks.
Il don't know. but we must be pre-
pared to face It," the Admiral answered