The Washington times., 1915-04-27
Former Secretary Outlines
Three Great Needs to Re-
store Department Efficiency.
|ExPERT GUIDANCE NEEDED
Present Appropriation Ample,
But People Don't Get What
They Pay for, His View.

NEW YORK. April H.-Calling the
Navy Department thoroughly disor-
ganized and tearing to shreds the en-
tire fabric Of the American naval syc-
TEN, former Secretary of the navy
George Won L. Meyer outlines con-
structive program based on three needs
to restore efficiency and preparedness
He suggests as a remedy first naval
budget system; second. a national coun-
Gil of defense, and third an automatic
enlistment law.
But for the decentralization Of the
Navy Department through the ill-ad-
vised and unmilitary policy of the pres
ent Administration the submarine FL
and her crew, lost off Honolulu. prob
ably would be afioat today. he said
Power of Public Opinion.
There can never be a truly depend
able and well-measured naval arm until
public opinion forced Congress to take
the necessary steps.
In the matter Of the F-4, Meyer said
you remember that shortly before
this accident occurred. Lieutenant Com
mander Sterling appeared before the
Congressional committee and stated
that practically none of the submarines
was In sea-worthy condition. Now un-
der the system which 1 established in
the Navy Department-and which Mr..
Daniels has allowed to go to pieces
not one of those submarines would have
stirred until my aid for inspection had
reported that they were At to take the
sea.
This branch of naval administration
has fallen into decay. There was no
machinery for a prompt and accurate
report that would prove or disapprove
Sterling's statement. II there had been
which caused the disaster would almost
certainly have been disclosed"
Continuing, he said that the Navy
Department is today less prepared for
was blundering in his attempts to dem
ocratize the navy; that man who
learned the business of fighting a great
batt!eship had no time to attend any
other kind Of classes" that we were
wasting millions on the navy withou,
| have a real navy so long as the money
was spent in a bungling fashion at the
dietation Of inexpert Congressman.
What Mr.. Daniels doesn't seem to
ter how democratic a nation may be
in its government and its ideals. the
navy is a military establishment. and
must be conducted on military lines
| This Is not new experiment. The
| French tried the same under the pres
! sure of the Socialist party in 1902 and
/ every one knows that the same result
| demoraliza uon-was achieved.
! "A battleship Is not a school, 1t Is
! a machine shop. and 1t must be manned
with men trained to operate It. They
! have no time to learn anything else
| If they devote all the time needed fol
learning what is essential to their trade
as sea fighters to that one end alone
| they have taken up every minute OF
| long day
The Naval Cost.
IT think we can best get at this
thing by beginning with some figures.
he said. What is needed to correc
the evils In our navy system is public
opinion. and 1t Is the duty Of all o.
us to rouse public opinion on thi'
subject.
I'm the past fifteen years we hav'
spent 81. 500. 900. .oOo We have spent IL
those fifteen years 100000 NOR
than Germany. which has passed III
in naval strength. We have spent $500.
100000 more than France which is nov
but very little behind US. We do no
know what France has done since th'
war began. and at the end Of the wa
we may find that she, too, Is aheat
Of US.
got our moneys worth. We have spen
enough money to have the second nav!
| in the world We are spending enough
! now to keep II fully up to that mark