New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-03
Interest on Marjorie
Sterrett Fund to
Provide Prizes
SEC'T'Y DANIELS
AGREES TO PLAN
Tribune Holds in Trust
$20,3S6 Contributed by
100000 Persons


work.
Ten months ago a thirteen-year-ol
Brooklyn schoolgirl sent 10 cents to
The Tribune to start fund TO build a
bsttleship for Uncle Sam. Since then
the 10 cents has grown to over 100000.
More than two hundred thousand chill
dren and grown-ups, inspired by the
little girls example, have added their
contributions to the patriotic cause.
There is no longer any necessity for
the dime to lie idle in the bank, merely
acting as a magnet for other dimes and
dollars. 1t has grown big enough to
do something. Though it has not yet
grown big enough to build battleship,
it can stimulate greater efficiency
among the battleships already built.
II Contributors Approve
That is what it is going to do, if you
who have added to it think the cause
worth while. The Marjorie Sterrett
Battleship Fund, with the approval Of
those who have contributed to it, will
be invested and the interest on 1t will
be given as prizes for battle efficiency
in the navy.
No act of Congress is needed to ac-
complish this result. A determined ef-
fort was made to have Congress accept
the fund to be appropriated in accor-
dance with law for naval construction
purposes. Congressman William S.
Bennett, of New York, introduced reso-
luton to that effect. but , died in the
Naval Committee of the House. The
committee decided that Congress was
able to provide enough battleships for
the nation in the regular way.
Congress thereupon proceeded to pro-
vide for the construction Of ten new
battleships before July 1, 1919, to-
gether with numerous smaller ships to
complete the feet. Who can say that
the pubGc interest aroused by Mar
iorie's dime did not make itself felt
among the representatives Of the peo-
rle who voted for this generous in
crease in the country's first line OF de-
fence?
Secretary Has Authority
But the dime still lay in the bank,
pleading to be used. One dime cannot
help the navy a great deal. But it oc-
Cured to some Of those interested IN
the fund that the interest on all its as
sociates in the cause could be used to
very great advantage. The idea was
presented to the Secretary of the Navy,
who has full authority TO accept such
gifts. though he cannot receive money
outright for building naval vessels
This was his reply:
NV dear Mr.. Keohan:
Referring to your letter Of June
90, 1916, in regard to the Marjorie
Sterrett Battleship Fund:
IL is understood that this fund
will amount TO approximately Sl,oOO
Der annum, and il is considered
advisable that this fund be award
ed annually to
"a The crew of the turret
making the highest final
merit at the short range
practice ...........S $500
CD The crew of the broad
side gun mounted on bat
tleship, destroyer, cruis-
er or gunbOat making
the highest final merit at
the short range battle
prdCtlCe SVV
CD The crew of the sub
marine making the high
est final merit with tor
pedoes for the year. 400
This will give each winning crew
approximately Sl2 per man.
In case the fund amounts TO an
other sum, il is suggested that pro-
portions be approximately the same
as given above.
The award will be made by the
final records and determined by the
Director of Gunnery Exercises and
Engineering Competition, and the
prizes will be issued with apprO-
pirate ceremony on board ship by
the commanding officers.
Sincerely yours.
JOSEPHUS DANIELS,
Secretary OF the Navy.
Mr.. WILLIAM L. kEOHAN,
New York Tribune,
Woodward Building,
Wash n 4