The New York herald., 1922-03-03
FUEL SHORTAGE MAY
TIE UP U. S. NAVY
DENLY Holds Orders to Halt
Vessels in All Parts of
World.
Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
WashinetOn. ID. c., March d

Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., March y
Whether or not the American Navy
will be tied up for want Of fuel hangs in
the balance tonight. Orders to anchor
or tie up all vessels wherever they may
be are held ready by Secretary DENLY
and prospects of getting more money
for fuel from Congress are not encour-
aging.
Chairman Madden OF the House Naval
Affairs Committee stated to-day that
the $6,000,0O0 allowed, which is a cut
of s6,oO0,0oo, would provide sufficient
fuel for the four months operations re-
naming in the fiscal year. but naval
officers disagree with him.
They say there does not remain of the
s6.2S0,000 authorized for fuel out OF
funds already appropriated for other
activities sufficient fuel to keep the fleet
tied up and under port steam allow
ance, without incurring a further de-
ficiency. Secretary DENLY is determined
not to run into further deficiencies and
has already eliminated fleet maneuvers
sential to the efficiency of the fleet in an
effort to keep within the requirements
set by the House Naval Committe, but
he feels the trust and duty imposed
| upon him to maintain the navy in ef-
f1cient condition, as he stated to the
committee last Monday. Between the
horns of the particular dilemma 1t Is be-
lieved he will order the fleet to anchor
wherever 1t may be and stay there un-
Izr
fuel supply.
During January and February, naval
officer say. 100000 of the amount al
loted has already been used even under
rigid economies and with the ships
steaming only a few days each month.
| This leaves but $3,2S0,000 for the re-
manning four months, which Is not suf-
ficient to keep UP steam in the fleet,
they say, even IL it is anchored or tied
up at docks, where some OF the boilers
have to be kept going for heat light and
cooking and to make the ships habitable,
Many officers fear the fleet will have
to be tied up and that in consequence
operations in foreign waters will have to
| cease, as well as the execution OF cer-
tain diplomatic and other governmental
missions, and the transportation CT Of
ficials will be prevented. Ships due for
repairs at their home yards will be pre-
vented from steaming there If the order
is executed. and many duties OF the
| navy will be eliminated.
Authority for the Secretary OF War
and the Secretary of the Navy create
deficiencies for fuel, clothing. transpor-
tation and certain other necessities for
the current year are found in law ell
acted in 1861 ana revised in 1906, under
which the Naval Secretary could create
| q deficiency for fuel If he desired, bat
Secretary Denby has told the committee
Of his intention to come before it for the
1923 appropriation hearings with esti-
mates based on mo deficiencies
To conserve the fuel supply capital
ships have been permitted only five
cruising days a month and the destroy
ers were limited to eight hours running
| a. month; all special cruises. including
trips to ports where functions were
being held for the benefit of the crews
were prohibited. and in general all non
essential activities curtailed.
Some activities, outside the fleet, were
necessary, however, In spite of the scar
city OF fuel. 1t was pointed out by the
Secretary recently: namely, the protec.
ton of American interests and The fur
therance of the national policy, including
/ operation OF special service sQuadrons
| In Asiatic, Latin American and Neal
Eastern waters. Diplomatic missions
must be executed, 1t was pointed out
and the insular possessions receive the
naval transport service where regular
lines do not operate.