The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-06-03
Secretary Meyer Tells Naval
Academy Graduates to Seek
Highest Efficiency
GREATER RESPONSIBILITY NOW
Commencement Exercises Are Con-
Quoted in Presence of Immense
Crowd cf Visitors in Chapel at
Annapolis Today

Annapolis, Md, June S.-Graduation
exercises at the United States Naval
Academy were held today i'm the pres
ence OF the usual large crowd OF vis-
itors from every section of the coun-
try. The exercises were held I'm the
chapel, which was beautifully decorat-
ed with bunting and flags. Secretary
OF the Navy Meyer delivered the ad-
dress and presented the diplomas to
the graduates. The honor man of the
graduating class this year Is Midship-
man Henry T.. Rossell of Florida.
Secretary Meyer told the graduat-
ing class at the naval academy that
"the Navy should be so constituted
and drilled that it will have at all
times the greatest possible efficiency"
Under such conditions only" he
added, "can the Navy protect the in
terests of the country and insure
peace. The Navy is only menace
and needless expense when it Is
permitted to deteriorate and when the
military spirit weakens."
Taking models of the original Kear-
sarge and OF the modern battleship
Michigan, Mr.. Meyer said he could
think of mo comparison that would
demonstrate at a glance how the du-
ties of the naval officer have changed
and with it the characteristics of the
officer and blue jacket" Then after
speaking of the enlisted men of the
navy saying that, while in former
years it was often difficult to man the
ships with American sailors, today SO
per cent of the crews are Americans.
he continued
while the change i'm the require
ments of the enlisted man is very
great, il Is equally. II not more. mark
| ed i'm the officer, and the transforma :
ton that has taken place in the Navy
| Is a transformation not only i'm per-
sonnel but in material and in the me-
thods of handling both.
"The battleship of today is vast
complicated mechanism and II re-
quires a skilled personnel to make all
parts work in unison to a common
end. This requires on the part of Of
ficers ahd men of the Navy 'exacting
drill and training. The young officer or
today. instead of being sent aloft to
furl sails, is sent down into the stoke
hold to fire the furnaces and tend the
boilers. There he learns how every
thing must be maintained in efficient
working order to get the greatest
speed with the greatest economy of
| fuel"
He went on to-explain how the young
officer Is given a similar training in
regard to the other parts of vessels
management.
Referring to the personnel bill in
| troduced in Congress by which cap
tains will be created from 43 to 4S
years of age and rear admirals at 55.
the Secretary said:
"The responsibility of commanding
battleship involves not only a thou
sand lives but G. vast expenditure OF
money and a possible loss of unit
in the fleet of stragetic Importance;
Therefore, commanding officer
should be at an age to stand the ner-
(, vous as well ais the mental and phys
ical strain. Our admirals should have
more time i'm that rank to get practice
as squadron and division command
ers before reaching the supreme COM
mand OF the fleet"
In conclusion the Secretary admon-
ished the young officers to let their
aim be IAN earnest endeavor at all
times to attain the highest efficiency
and not to be satisfied with anything
| less"
"The country looks to you," he as
serted, mot merely to he content to
step In the footprints of your prede-
cessors but to make your own foot
prints and to do under all circum-
stances the best that is in you, wheth-
er in peace or in war. and thus main
tain the reputation of the American
Navy for progressiveness, efficiency
and coura ge"