The Meeker herald., 1916-04-29
Why They Are After Daniels

Navy, IN ffesluent WIlsOH caDiHeb.
His enemies seldom venture to
make specific charges. They prefer
to use ridicule and innuendo-the
cowardly weapons of the man who
has u weak case.
The fact is that Daniels is one Of
our really great secretaries of the
navy. He has done more in the last
three years to increase the fighting
efficiency of our fleets than any one
OF his predecessors. And at that he
is not lingo, but sane, cultured
gentleman, who has u proper appre-
citation of the value of n dollar and
the worth of u human life.
WHY HE is sLANDERED
Then why the campaign of Islander
which has been so persistantly waged
against him? The correct reply may
be stated under three heads:
He has sought TO educate the COM
mon sailor and give him chance to
secure commission. This has Of
Tended the official caste.
He has advocated government man.
ufacture Of armor plate and other
munitions and has saved the ration
offended the greedy munitions graft
ers.
He has driven strong liquor out of
the navy. This has offended those
who profit AS well rs those who per-
ish through drink.
MAKING THE NAVY SOBER
Let us consider the last first. In
1899 Secretary Long forbade the use
Of liquor aboard ship by enlisted men.
Secretary Daniels broadened the or
der so as to include officers. He took
this step on the advice Of the surgeon
general of the navy, yet the order
was greeted with n storm of protest.
One old admiral declared that if de-
prived of drink the officers might
turn to drugs, but the Secretary re-
fused to believe that our navy was
differed by such weaklings.
We were told thatthis policy would
make the United States the laughing
stock of the world. Instead, within
a year, the world powers were fol-
lowing the example of Secretary
Daniels. The Kaiser, addressing the
naval cadets, said:
1.-THE next war and the next sea
battle demand sound nerves OF you.
Nerves will decide! They become
undermined through alcohol. The
nation which consumes the least alco-
hol should win!'
FIGHTING GRATING CONTRACTORS
From the moment he entered office
the Secretary has fought for govern
ment manufacture of armor plates
and munitions. On his recommends
tion the Senate recently passed bill
appropriating $ll 200, 600 to construct
IAN armor-plate plant. Under his d.
rection the government is making
smokeless powder for 81 cents a pound.
The powder trust used to receive 80
cents q pound for the same quality Of
powder. On one bid for projectiles
he slashed the price *i,077,2 lO, and on
another occasion he saved u million
by forcing competition between ar
mor-plate makers.
No wonder the naval contractors
hate him!
But his chief offending has consist
ed of his assaults on the wall of caste
which shuts out the hope of promo
tion from the common sailors.
A CHANCE FOR THE SAILOR
Daniels has sought to democratizs
the navy. He wants every young
sailor to feel that through study and
performance of duty he may become
an admiral of the fleet. He has es-
tablished schools aboard ship, giving
every enlisted man an opportunity to
secure an academic and technical ed
ucation.
AS n result. 50 per cent of the men
honorably discharged are -enlisting.
When Daniels took charge only 80
per cent were going back to the ser
| vice.
Three years ago an ACREAGE of 1890
men from the navy were in prison.
Today there less than 100, and two
prison ships and two disciplinary
barracks have been restored to nor
NAL use.
Desertions have decreased by II
per cent and every day shows fur
Their Improvement.
STANDS BY HIS SCHOOLS
II stand by my schools, and If nee
essary 1 am willing to fall with them"
was the Secretary's manly declara-
ton in recent interview. II will
have no mercy on insolence or insub-