Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-02

dustrtal plants into munttion factories
was as important as to mobilize men,"
Secretary Daniels paid high tribute
to the naval consulting board, which.
he said. already had undertaken the
pioneer work of industrial prepared
ness in the United States. and would
soon provide the army and navy with
this essential feature.
Advises Specializing.
Il counsel YOU" he continued. ito
early marry yourself to a special
branch of the service. for an ounce of
expert knowledge in the days that are
before you will be worth a pound of
general information. The man who is
to win the highest place in the navy of
he has made himself a master of his
speciality. The time will come when
expert knowledge will be the chief de-
mand upon you"
The graduates also were reminded
that the old things are passing away
and new ones must be devised. The
responsibility OF providing weapons
and strategy to meet the unrerealed
possibilities of certain instruments OF
war, he said. in conclusion would de-
volve upon them.
President Delivers Diplomas.
The President personally gave each
of the 17s graduates his diploma and
shook hands with them. extending
warm congratulations. He particularly
praised tho ten ranking members of
the class.
The President and Mrs. Wilson wit
messed the celebration of the lower
classmen with interest. He laughed
as they ran from the hall and marched.
singing and yelling. about the grounds.
The President arrived off the acad-
envy early in the morning aboard the
Mayfower, remaining aboard the yacht
until a few minutes before the gradua-
ton ceremonies began. He was re-
ceived with full military honors when
he came ashore, accompanied by Mrs.
Wilson. After according him honors:
the regiment of midshipmen entered
the hall and formed in two long lines,
between which he walked to the speak
ers platform. accompanied by Super
intendent Eberle and the latter's staff.
On the stand with the speakers were
Gov. Harrington Of Maryland and several
members Of the board of visitors. in
GLIDING Senators Phelan. Poindexter
and Tillman.
After the graduation ceremonies were
over, the President. accompanied by
Mrs Wilson. went for a short auto
mobile run through the academy grounds
and about the roadways of the big
government reservation. He lunched
with Supt. Eberle and later in the
afternoon will return to washington,
making the trip by auto.
Admiral Benson on Preparedness.
What the bureau of operations, Gre
ated fourteen months ago. has done to
he
to put it on a more efficient basis was
detailed by Rear Admiral William S.
Benson. chief of operations, at a ban
auet given last night by the gradual
ing class of the Naval Academy.
r Responding to the toast The Navy"
Admiral Benson declared that Secre-
tary Daniels creed was 100 per cent
efficiency for men and ships, and that
sible a long step toward realization
Of such a policy, under which every
unit of the fleet will at all times be
ready to perform its functions. what
ever the occasion that may require its
service"
Only the fragments of organization"
existed in the Navy Department be-
fore the bureau was created. Admiral
Benson said. and his work necessarily
began at the bottom. There was no
Is
he declared. not even adequate infor-
nation as to the naval strength of
other countries. To find what ship was
available for special duty was a task
of several hours of inquiry
The condition I found" continued
the admiral. could not in any degree
be laid at the door of the Secretary
He has at all times shown the most
interest and cordial sympathy in all
the various features recommended for
the development of this ofice. and he
has given particular attention to every
measure tending to increase the eff
cheney of the service in general"
Plan of Mobilization Approved.
"A thoroughly disested and well de-
veloped plan of mobilization for the
METRE feet in the event of war" Ad-
miral Benson said. has been submitted
to the department and approved. Each
bureau and Office in the department has
been assigned it's particular duties in
connection with this plan, and reports
quarterly to the department. giving de-
tail of the progress of each toward pre-
paredness to accomplish it's task in mo-
bilization. The plan for the organiza-
ton of the naval districts has been
worked out in every detail The ques-
ton of mine localities has been studied
Officers have been assigned to the
various duties of each district for war
purposes and distribution of vessels for
district defenses has been made"
Every ship of the fleet is ready for
instant duty, he added. with the excep-
ton of the battleships Georgia and
Connecticut. which are undergoing
boiler repairs.
Among the most important works I'M
dertaken. Admiral Benson said. is the
registration of all American merchant
ships for naval uses in war A board
is completing a detail of vessels, re-
porting the purposes for which each
would be most suitable and the altera-
tions and new equipment it would re-
quire.
InuM n CIlII IMAM nICC