Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-30
DANIELS FOR NAVAL
RESERVE COMPOSED OF
SEAFARTNG AMERICANS
Defending His Administration
of Department Before Com
mittee, He Urges Appoint
ments from Civil Life
FAvoRs FORCE OF e7952

WASHINGTON, March 30.-A naval
reserve that will include all kinds of sea
farlng Americans" was strongly advocated
by Secretary of the Navy Daniels today.
The Secretary appeared before the House
Naval Afalrs Committee and vigorously
defended his course as head OF the navy.
He appealed for appointments from civil
life OF experienced aviators to become off,
GERS, saying that 400 are needed imme-
diately. In addition, he declared that the
navy should appoint 80 officers each year
to It's engineering corps TO specialize.
II recommend" said Daniels. that 1900
enlisted men, $500 apprentice seamen, 2t5s
hospital corps men and 1000 marines be
added to the navy This would make
l4,150 additional men, bringing the total
personnel of the navy to 67,952.
The General Board last July recon-
mended 1000 additional men. In No.
vember, the board recommended an in.
crease Of $4,000 men. When I made this
estimate for 14,i52 men, last October,
had only the July recommendation before
me.
The officers of the navy who have testi-
fed here have given only their personal
Views. Some of them have figured on
the basis of every ship in the navy being
in constant commission. This Is not in
accordance with the policy OF the navy
When a ship goes to the navy yard they
contend, II should maintain It's full quota
of men. To this I have two objections: I:
first, to have such a large force on the
ship, with only n few duties to perform,
would be highly demoralizing; second,
they should be put on an active vessel, so
their training would not relax. For these
reasons the department has adopted the
policy Of having only 40 per cent. Of the
crew on vessel In the navy yard.
Former Secretary Won Meyer left only
30 per cent. of the men on ships not in
active commission"
Secretary Daniels stated that in spite
of the large percentage Of re-enlistments,
1t was difficult to maintain the full quota
of enlisted men. Only one out of six ap-
plicants is accepted because of the diff
Guilty In getting the desired type, he ex-
planned. The enlistments of 1885 men,
on the average, expire every year
ITO increase the navy $4,000 men next
year" Daniels said, I'VE would have to
enlist $4,000 new men, in addition to the
re-enlistments This would mean exam
ination of approximately 100000 appli-
cants"
In his plea for compulsory education
of enlisted men. the Secretary said since
It's Inauguration the number of such men
entering the Naval Academy had jumped
very materially. We can never have an
efficient navy and good navy" he added,
until young men enlisted realize that IL
they have the ability they may become ad-
mlralB.
Secretary Daniels strongly favored the
reserve force of former navy men, pro-
posed by Admiral Blue. A "Class B" re-
serve of merchant sailors was urged and
a third class of men fitted to serve in the
naval establishment on shore. A fourth
class of reserves for harbor defense YES.
sells and a fifth class. volunteer reserves"
were advocated The latter would be COM
posed of men of the trades, engineers and
the like.
To increase the number of officers. Dan.
iels recommended:
Appointment of 80 civil engineers as Of
ncers each year for ten years
appointment of 25 civilian aviators, each
year for five years. as we'll as continuing
assignments OF naval officers to the avia-
ton corps.
Appointment of civilian educators at
Annapolis, so that majority of the 90
there would be available for active service.
Daniels emphasized the recommendation
for appointing civilian engineers.
THE navy is the only institution In
America that Is not specializing" he said.