The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-08-03
DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP, '" IS
 NAVY PLEA

Washington. Aug. 2-The battle ship will stay.
 This is the consensus of expert opinion here today. as Army and ports the recent bombing tests conducted by the Navy Department
 It is true that the aerial bombers succeeded in sinking every type of craft from the submarine on up to tthe dreadnaught Ostfriesland, but these tests have not convinced naval experts that the battleship is obso- i1ete.
 Don't give up the ship" is the cry of all experts, after studying the technical reports.
 The immediate effect of the bomb ing tests will be a great drive by the Navy to increase it's aerial forces, Secretary of the Navy Denby, it Is that no battle fleet Is ready for war unless 1t has full compliment of auxiliary air fighters.
 Within a short time official recom- lamentations will be made to Con- gress for appropriations authorizing sthe construction of newer and larS- CT types of naval aeroplanes.
 It is true that many of these tnves- ttigaionS have proved to be worth while, especially when they were fol- followed up by legislation designed to correct or lessen the evils which sit was sought to uncover. Dozen Probes Now On. considerable number of Senators the situation, howver, and have come to the conclusion that 1t might be well to put a darnper on superfluous investigations in order that the atten- ton of Congress might not be divert ed from the serious business of 1nak- ing the country's laws.
 Despite this growing icing 1t is regarded as unlikely that any reduc- <inr, 4 Ia4 71Dka1- rNf Sny7o io1 n IF Congressional probes can be expected in the near future, because it is nearly always possible to assemble enough votes in either branch of Con- gress to get an affirmative decision .on the question 'to probe or not to probe?" when it comes to a show down.
 During the present session of Con- gress, called for the purpose of re- rvising the internal revenue laws and lpassing new tariff bill, the Senate fand House have investigated or are now in the midst of inquiring into the railroad problem, the agricultural situation, the mine war in West Vir- isinia- the escape of Grover Cleveland lt3ergdoll, the needs of ex-service linen and the bureaus organized for their relief. the Federal Reserve Board and host of lesser subjects incident to routine legislation
 Appropriations also will be asked flor at least six aeroplane carriers to operate with the fleets. Naval archi- rtects are now working up plans for vessels of this type, which calls for Ethe construction of gigantic ships capable of carrying several squad Irons of aeroplanes and of maintain ling a speed equal to the maximum Fspeed of the battle fleet when in fighting formation.
 In view of the disarmament pro- posals which have been made by President Harding, considerable Con gressional opposition to further ap- -s,%S< 401 I,,E 7, %I, contention of the naval experts that ith disarmament conference will not provide for complete disarmament and that the United States is now considerably behind Great Britain in the matter of naval air forces, par ticuIarly in the matter of aeroplane carriers.
 { The sinking of the ex-Gernan experimental work of the Navy. Ord nance experts are at work endeaVor- ing to devise a gun that will be cap able of offering adequate defense against the air forces, and at the same time they are at work on ar nor experiments, devising new means of armor construction to add to the 1nvulnerability of the battle craft against aerial bombers.
 The aviation experts are just as busy. They are working upon planes, under radio control, which can launch radio-controlled torpedoes and they are working upon improved bombing sights to increase the per centage of hits.
 The sinking of the ex-German bat tleship Ostfriesland has made more stir in naval circles than any event since the first German U-boat began raiding operations off the American coasts.
 Disarmament is a thing of the flu ture, d matter of conjecture the naval men say, and their job is to prepare for war now. They are at their job with feverish enthusiasm