The Washington times., 1915-06-30
ShipbuIIding Concerns and Ord
dance Manufacturing Plants
Want U. S. Experts.
TWO OFFER RESERVATIONS
Secretary WithhoIds Action
Until Opinion Is Received
From Attorney General.

The navy as well as the army. has
problem on it's hands caused by the
demand OF private shipbuilding con-
Germs and plants manufacturing nava
ordnance and material for the services
of the highly trained naval officers.
This demand is especially for nava,
constructors. Secretary Daniels in the
last day or two has been asked by
two skilled naval constructors to be
allowed to resign. Both have had fiat
tering offers from private plants inter-
ested in shipbuilding and in naval ord
nance and material
Holds Up designations.
Mr.. Daniels refused today to make
public the names of the constructors,
but he has held up the designations
for the time being, because he wants
first to learn the opinion Of the Attor-
ney General on the question whether
officers have the right to resign in
time Of peace. This opinion, though
requested by the Secretary of War,
will apply to naval officers as we'll
Mr.. Daniels believes naval officers
do not have the right to resign. and that
1t Is a matter of discretion with the
President. He told the naval construc-
not to wish to resign. In view OF the
high training given them by the Gov
ernment
Yes, Mr.. Secretary" said the Off
GERS. but we did not enter the navy
pledged to remain all our lives. We have
given good service for many years. Now
we have a chance to go into private
employ and acquire a competence for
our old age"
Problem Troubles Daniels.
Secretary Daniels said today he
realized there were two sides to the
question. and that 1t was troubling him
q great deal.
Some of the ablest heads of private
shipbuilding concerns in the country
are men who resigned from the naval
service. For instance. there Is Rear
Admiral Bowles, head Of the Fore Riv-
er Company. former naval construc-
tor. He was mentioned today by Sec
retary Daniels as one of the men who
had formerly been In the navy. and now
Is giving able service to a private con-
struction establishment.
Secretary of War Garrison made 1t
plain today that II the Attorney Gen
ter of permitting army officers to re-
sign in time of peace he will exercise
that discretion, not arbitrarily. but with
regard to whether 1t Is to the best in
terests of the army to keep in the SER
vice an officer who desires to go.
Question Before Garrison.
This applies especially to officers who
desire to resign to take positions with
firms manufacturing war munitions.
The tremendous demands for munitions
IN modern campaigning have compelled
military authorities In this country to
recognize that it is important to have
private plants in readiness to provide
huge supplies In case Of need.
Secretary Garrison indicated today
that the question for him to consider
II he had discretion about designations
Of officers who are offered places with
munitions concerns. Is whether an Of
flcer will be more valuable If he steps
out of the army and helps organize
some great private munitions plant ef-
fectively than II he remains in the
army.
Mr. Garrison Is advised that Attorney
General Gregory has not completed his
opinion. He was called on by the At
torney General today for a full state
ment Of the facts In the case of Lieu
tenant Colonel Horney, who, with Ma
jor Phillips, desires to resign to take
a position with munitions plant