The Meeker herald., 1916-07-22
Why They Want Daniels Scalp


ing Of the Third Colorado district,
says:
Washington. d. c., June 80. 1919.
As . master Of English, Senator
Thomas of Colorado, Is the peer Of
any man In congress. This claim was
never more completely sustained
than on June 2lst when Colorado's
senior senator replied to the criti-
cisms which have been directed at
Josephus Daniels of North Carolina,
secretary Of the navy.
As = rule when some member Of
the "American House Of Lords" UNI
dertakes to deliver > prepared speech,
his colleagues quietly slip away to
the cloakrooms or seek relief In the
folds Of the evening paper. Senator
Thomas, however, received the unus-
ual compliment Of being permitted
to address an attentive senate. He
had not been speaking five minutes
until the cloakrooms were emptied
and not . senator quilted his seat In
the chamber until the Coloradoan
had concluded.
It WAS really great speech and the
senator will render the people of Col
orado notable service II he will have
it printed and copy placed in the
hands of every Voter In the state.
l. have taken occasion from time to
time in these letters to point out that
Secretary Daniels was being made
the target for = systematic, we'll
financed campaign Of misrepresenta-
ton and utilization. Senator Thomas
stated the case much better than l
could hope to do. quote from his
speech:
"Mr. President-H a 1.-THE Of the
sins Of commission or of omission
with which Secretary Daniels has
been charged during the last twelve
months were true, he should be re-
lieved Of his great Office, and no man
should lift his voice In protest. II .
1.-THE be true, his detractors might
find partial justification for their con-
duct. II tits be true, the admins
tration should be diciplined because
responsible for him. 1t is not true;
and I firmly believe that no one
knows this better than 3 great major
ity Of his detractors. Indeed, might
go further aud assert that the cam
paign and Islander and misrepresenta-
ton waged and waging against this
upright and Courageous cabinet officer
has been largely inspired by men In
and out of the navy who can not use
him and who are therefore determin-
ed. II they can, to force his removal
or to crush him.
He 10 an obstacle to the material,
the farseeing, the profit-making side
Of preparedness" and since he will
not bend or stop aside he must be
broken or run over. The pack has
beeu unleashed. and Tray, Blanche,
and Sweetheart In full cry are bay ing
at his heels.
what has the secretary done, or
omitted doing, that has started this
avalanche Of denunciation? His duty /;
that is all. And he has done 1t quiet
ly, modestly and effectively. He has
also done 1t courageously. He has
been undaunted by the voices OF the
mighty, the power Of cabals, the tin
sci of epauletted aristocracy, or the
self-interest of navy contractors.
And he goes upon his course undis-
mayed by the obloquy of the disap-
pointed.''
The senator then proceeded to de-
tail the changes and reforms in the
navy department brought about by
Daniels and which had provoked the
enmity Of certain special interests
and favored individuals:
First-The enforcement Of the law
requiring competitive bidding by ar
NOR plate factories and other con-
Germs seeking naval contracts. This
policy has effected savings totaling
millions Of dollars.
Second-The abolition Of the I'm
ner Circle" among officials of the de-
partment. Under Republican admin
istrations small clique composed of
officers who had "pulr' with the
president or the secretary of the navy
ran the department., determined its
policy and distributed promotions
and contracts to its favorites. The
members of the "Inner Circle" were
called lads to the secretary" and the
officer or contractor who incurred
their displeasure was doomed.
Third-Forbidding the use of alco-
boiic liquors in the officers mess.
This was merely an extension of an
old order which had deprived the
sailors and seamen of the same priv
ilege. Daniels took the position that