Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-16
HOUSE COMMITTEE
AND Will BUR DIFFER
ON NAVY EFFICIENCY

iIdl navy 10 III w l'EAiI ApN'iiN A'NN
fuel today with tho publication of
confidential testimony given to a
| house committee during the prepare
ton of the annual naval supply bill.
The committee itself reported to
congress THAT it did not feel the
country need be alarmed that "our
naval prestige is rapidly waning"
Accompanying this report was an
official transcript of the testimony
Of Secretary Wilbur that The gov
evrnment must spend $i10,000,O00
annually for the next 90 years for
new construction IL the navy is TO
be maintained on an equal footing
/ in all branches with that of Great
Britain and superior to that sof
Japan.
The committees observation and
The secretary's statement went to
1 The house along with the naval APP
Aropriatlvn bill proposing nearly
/ three hundred million dollars to
take care of the existing establish
ment and construction heretofore
authorized.
Information coming thus from the
hitnscto sealed doors of the house
,oni-rittee served to increase the de-
termination Of those in congress who
are insisting that there must be
thorough-going investigation to get
al the facts with regard to the con-
aition both of the naval establish
nent and of the fighting fleet.
Ships Withstand Bombs
Coincident with the developments
IN the naval controversy at the cap
>tol, the army air service disclosed
hat the recent bombing of the UNI
completed superintendent Wash
ngton had demonstrated that Amer
can naval architects had developed
the ships that are being sc2apped
lnder the Washington arms treaty
craft that could withstand attacks
rom the present-day airplanes.
Taking cognizance, in it's report
10 the house, of previous reports as
20 the unsatisfactory conditions of
he capital ships, the naval appro-
oirations committee said these con-
iitions had been remedied except
With respect to one battleShfp, the
Florida. Work on that craft, it said,
vas being held in allegiance pending
decision as to whether she is to be
converted from a coal to an oil
burner.
Asserting that the naval ratio as
between the United States, Great
Britain and Japan lis a different
measurement" leading into channels
If SO broad and varied ramifications
hat only those possessing all the
lvailable facts with respect to both
he American and foreign navies
we're in a position to speak, the com
nittee suggests that the authorship
# reports regarding the ratio "be
considered when forming an opin-
on"
Turning to the navy's needs, the
committee said the bill it reported
carried the money for two additional
1eet submarines and also all that
t will be practicable to expend dur
ng the ensuing fiscal year for MAX
ng repairs and affecting desra BILE
improvements on vessels of the
leet."
Senate Haste Criticized
"The program of modernization of
certain battleships and of new con-
truction of cruisers and gunboats,
:arried in the so-called moderinza-
ion bill just passed by the senate"
he report added, obviously should
lot be appropriated far in advance
# budget estimates and thorough
hearings.
In the meantime, the committee
cells, looking at the situation from
iaany influencing angels, that there
iced be no misgivings as to our
laval forces generally in an hour
f need "
Secretary Wilbur, in informing
ongress that $110,000,000 would
lave to be spent annually If the
avy is to be maintained on a par
With that of Great Britain and
uperior to Japan, made no recon-
uendation that this be done. He
stimated that of the total amount
$4,000, 900 yearly for 20 years would
.e needed for ships and $4,000, 900
or aircraft.
Until there is an international
greement limiting within reason
BILE bound" the additions to the
ortions of the fleet not covered in
he arms treaty, Secretary Wilbur
aid the only method of maintaining
he treaty ratio of the respective
leets will be by building program
commensurate with that of the other
lgnatory powers.
I'm such case" he added 1.-THE
'ery absence of an agreement with
eference to such vessels those 9th
r than capital ships, makes four
olicy dependent upon that of the
Their powers, and these powers, by
he expansion of their navy, can
irtually determine the extent to
hitch we must build up our navy if
70 are to maintain the ratio"
Some Want Inquiries
Conflicting reports that have come
som varying sources as to what
hould or should not be done with
aspect to the navy are regarded by
ome members of both the house and
snate as making necessary thor
ugh-going investigation by congress
efore additional money is appro-
rated for modernization or new
construction.
Such an investigation will be pro
osed before the senate naval com.
nttee next Tuesday by Senator
ing, Democrat, Utah, who will urge
nat congress does not have suffi-
lent information for it to outline
comprehensive plan for the navy
for future naval DEVELOPMENT.
enYe of the things he would have
ongress inquire into are:
Why tile five-five-three naval ra.
@ treaty has not been lived up to?
Whether Great Britain and japan
ave altered gun elevations upon
apital ships.
Whether any American battleships
re ohsoiescent or whether they are
| condition justifying the spending
millions on them in repairs.
>As to the number of submarines
'uisers, airplane carriers and other
aXiliaries necessary to balance the
Ghting fleet.
Aerial Needs Studied
AS to the number and types OF
rplanes requested, and whether
lprn Sh011lI ha
gning and construction between
ie army and navy.
Whether there is a sufficient mum
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