The speed dispute also reveals a division between two important civilian influences on the U.S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels is described as determined to restrain battleship growth and convinced that battleships did not need to keep getting larger. Tillman, by contrast, used the Naval Affairs Committee to push for a bigger and more powerful fleet. Opening the video here shows how naval policy could emerge from tension between executive restraint, legislative pressure, and the technical advice of the construction bureaus.
Notable Point · 17:28-18:36
Josephus Daniels tries to restrain battleship growth
Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels sought to hold down battleship growth while Tillman used his Senate position to demand larger and faster ships.