Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-16
A Cabinet Exodus in Pro-
gress al Washington.
Secretaries Of War and Navy
Had Long Trips 10 Make.
President Wilson Plans for More
Rest After Congress Adiourns.

Washington, ID. c., July 15,-(Spe-
ciaD-A cabinet exodus Is in progress.
Duties afield are calling loudly To those
who compose President Wilson's adj
visers and away the advisers go. Sec
rotary of the Navy Daniels is whlfi-
ing toward the Pacific coast. He Is
to inspect navy yards and stations.
1t will be "A long and gay journey, up
and down and back and forth, supple
menting similar journeys he has al
ready taken along the Atlantic coast
Likewise Secretary of War Garrison Is
whirling away into the middle West
and Southwest and may travel even
farther He is to visit numerous
army posts for inspection purposes,
continuing errands of that character
begun eastward some time age.
When these cabinet officers, repre-
senting the two military services of
the government have gotten through
they will have obtained a birds eye
view of the outstations of the army
and the navy, upon which much money
is expended annually and for which
Congress, upon their respective recon-
mendations, is called upon TO legislate
annually Such inspection trips are
undoubtedly necessary. 1t is almost
imperative that secretary of the navy
and a secretary of war make such
journeyinGs before they are very long
in office.
The government has deal of valn-
able property in the army and the
navy. 1t amounts to millions upon
millions. invested during Il long period
of years Some modern army posts
have cost as much to build as one OF
the largest dreadnaoghts and the an
nual maintenance of these posts is also
quite as expensive as the maintenance
of a great battleship. And while the
country thinks more about the great
demands of the navy service for more
battleships, as matter of fact the
demands keep coming in for more and
larger barracks for officers and men,
for better parade grounds. for larger
army equipment i'll general.
There must be somebody 10 pass
Judgment upon these demands. Con-
gress undertakes to do this but Con
eress looks to the War Department To
furnish advice and recommendations
And Congress expects the secretary OF
war in particular To be we'll informed
about such details and scores of other
details that come up with reference to
the army posts.
In a similar way the secretary Oh
navy must be Informed. There are
near a dozen navy yards demanding
increased appropriations. For IN
stance an insistent demand comes
from the Pacific coast for navy yafd
fully equipped to construct battle
ships. The department now has an
equipment at the New York yard Tor
constructing dreadnauShts and the
Boston Yard is clamoring for IKE
facilities. The argument IS very uf-
gent, as it comes from Congressman
in whose districts the yards are.
Equipment to build battleships means
more employment for hundreds OF men
in specific localities and also appeals
to local pride. Some of these appeals
will be forced home strongly at the
next session of Congress. when the
regular appropriations are beins
voted.
The inspection trips likewise help
the holders of the two military port
folios to reach more mature conclu-
sions about matters of policy. Such
questions are constantly recurring
probably more in the army and the
navy than in any other department
of the government. For example, the
army experts are insisting upon the
abandonment of many small army
posts and the concentration OF troops
more and more in regimental ana ever
in brigade posts. Congress mas u
wrestle with that subject every veal
when il comes to making approprla-
tions. Secretary Garrison. on bl'
present trip, is excepting to gathel
IDEAS for his guidance on that con
troNerSy.