The Washington herald., 1915-07-15
DANIELS ALLOWS
EXPERTS TOQU|T
Secretary Accepts Resigna-
tons of Naval Constructors
Ferguson and Otterson.
HIS ACT IS RELUCTANT
Navy Head Does Not Believe Govern.
ment Benefits When Officers
Enter Private Employ.

Has the man who accepts a 1000
technical education at the United States
Naval Academy and subsequently COM
, mission in the United States navy the
privilege OF voluntary retirement to pr-
vate life except with the acquiescence of
the President?
Secretary of the Navy Daniels is firmly
of the opinion that he has not: that the
officer who accepts a commission in the
navy of the United States is in for
life" unless the President chooses to ac-
cept his resignation. And what is more.
the judge advocate of the navy and the
United States Supreme Court uphold this
decision. the latter body ruling that mill
tary service. where voluntarily entered
into. is not involuntary servitude.''
The question came up yesterday when
Secretary Daniels annoufred that he had
accepted the designations of Naval Con-
structors Ferguson and Otterson ten
| dered two weeks ago. to accept lucrative
positions with private shipbuilding firms.
Secretary Daniels announced that his ac-
ton in accepting the resignation for the
President is contrary to his well-known
views that officers educated at the ex-
pense OF the government ought to give
their services to the government long
as such service is needed
Candidates Sign Contracts.
Owing to agreements which successful
candidates for Annapolis sign in the form
of enlstments. and which commissioned
officers who are given the special con-
struction course at technical colleges also
sign additionally the question of the
right of an officer to resign is kept in
the background. A Naval Academy cadet
agrees in his enlistment form to serve
eight years. four years after his gradua-
ton.
If at the time of his graduation he is
appointed as assistant naval constructor
and given the special course at a tech
nical college at the expense of the United
States. he further agrees to serve for
eight years from that time. or twelve
years in all. including his four years at
the Academy. In considering designations
| the department has always felt itself
bound by these agreements
Secretary Daniels announced yesterday
! that he did not believe this second con-
tract or agreement was either binding or
good policy and that the enlistment
agreement could he eliminated by regula-
! ton. He accepted the two resigna tons
| referred to because, he said. he realized
| that the question was many-sided and
/ he did not wish to wipe out custom
| and establish new precedent without
giving the matter further study
! He intmated strongly. however, that
| unless something is brought forward to
| considerably change his viewpoint he will
| abolish the custom and have every prof
Tered resignation considered on the mer-
its of the case involved.
This policy affecting naval con-
structors particularly would be in line
with Mr.. Daniels view that virtually all
naval construction work-hull, battleship.
submarine. aeroplane. armorplate and
big gun-shouid be done in government
workshops. His action in accepting res
ignations of officers who desired to work
for private shipyards. he declared was
not in any way owing to conviction
that the presence of United States navy
experts in private shipyard might be
of advantage to the navy at some future
date-the theory upon which Secretary or
War Garrison announced his acceptance
of the designations of two army ordnance
experts.