Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-04
Fiasco In
Sub Edict
Is Charged
Senator King of Utah Urges
Congressional Investigation
Into Building Activities
OF Naval Department.
DENLY Opposed to Probe
By ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

Washington, July 3. - Although
congress has authorized the con-
struction of lS7 submarines alto
gether, at cost OF $130,000,0 900, the
American navy today has only 81.
submarine ships in working order
and ready for immediate service.
None of these is feet submarine,
capable of cruising more than 1000
miles without replenishing fuel. They
are of small types chiefly suitable for
coast defense.
These are the charges made by
Senator King OF Utah, in pressing
the adoption of his resolution pro-
viding or senate investigation OF
what he pronounces the American
submarine building fiaseo. He will
lay before the senate this week the
information he has obtained con-
cerning the alleged defects in sub
marine construction as result OF
ohich many OF the underwater
boats have proved unserviccable and
unsafe.
Force Depleted.
".An anal as of the Navy depart
ment reports" said Senator King,
Shows that out of total of Isl sub
marines used by congress, we actual
1y had ready for service on April l,
1921, nearly two and one-half years
after the arrnistice, only five first
line submarines Of the 800-ton type,
Is submarines of the 500-ton type,
and u second-line submarines of the
s1ill smaller type and no fleet sub
marines. In other words, our sub
marine force at this time, nearly
three years after the war, and after
expending about $l30,000,000. is
hardly equal to that of Germany
when she started on the unrestricted
submarine campaign with 80 sea-gc-
ing submarines in the early spring
of 1917"
Senator King asserts that in the
construction of successful and ef-
fective submarines, the United States
is far inferior to Great Britain, Ger
many and Japan.
Secretary of the Navy Denby is op-
posed to an investigation of the sub
ject by congress. In letter to
Chairman Page of the naval affairs
committee, who had referred the
King resolution to the secretary for
advice, Mr.. DENLY said.
Denby Opposes Probe.
"As the preamble to the resolution
seems to have no more substantial
lis than claims urged by anony-
nous individuals, and as the Navy
department is thoroughly conversant
with the situation respecting subma-
rines already in service or building,
| do not believe that the invcstiga-
tion proposed is either necessary or
desirable. Questions affecting the
design of submarines and other types
of naval vessels may we'll be LETT to
the judgment of the responsible Of
hcers of the Navy department, who
are as desirous that our submarines
shall be at least the equal of those of
any other nation as can be any in
dividual or group of individuals out
s,idN the service, who cannot posi-
bly, have the means for obtaining ac-
ourate knowledge OF foreign designs
that the Navy department has.
Regarding that prov sion Of the
resolution which contemplates the
creation OF bureau OF submarines
End the organization Of separate
submarine corps in the navy, / am
OF the opinion that there is no more
necessity for such a bureau and such
an independent organization than
there is for a bureau of battleships
with separate corps for operating
them.
Kings Statements Denied.
1T is therefore recommended that
the committee take unfayorable action
on the resolution"
The Navy department disputes
Senator Kings assertions and
figures. According to the Navy de-
partment, there are l04 submarines
in service, of which 68 are in full
commission. The departments s
figures follow:
- Submarines in commission.
First line in full commission. As; in
reserve, 10: total, S5.
Second line in full commission, 2l;
in reserve. %; in ordinary, 3;
total, AZ.
Fleet submarines, 2.
Total, 104.
Submarines under construction or
authorized:
E.. g. * a.. IN. <at,t Az