The Washington herald., 1917-01-23
Army and Navy News

s. stanwood Menken. chairman of the
Congress Of Constructive Patriotism. to
be held here from Thursday to Saturday,
mas given an outline of what he hopes
viii be its main permanent work. TO wit
the bringing home of the knowledge of
national needs to the American People
as the best means Of insuring national
development and. incidentally. real pre-.
paredness.
He states that at the congress II will
be suggested that this work be under
taken through the establishment by the
league of a great national lecture sya-
TEN which would provide nationwide
discussion and instruction on patriotic
topics, the details of the lectures 10 be
under the direction OF a board of experts.
Among the subjects that could be con-
sidered he mentions the diplomatic posi-
ton Of the United States. the need Of
preparedness industrial ssfesuards. les
sons OF our history. nstidsal defense. the
advantages of mobilization of industry,
Foreign trade, methods of foreign gov
Aernments, commercial and sdr1inistra-
live: the peril OF inefficiency and its cost
to the individual and to the nation, and
kindred subjects.
1t has been suggested that the $50
branches of the National Security
unions, oranges and boards of trade,
would furnish large audiences. and Mr..
Menken estimates that the audiences
would number at least 100000 DER an
mum, II the plan were fully developed
and financed. As soon as this work Is
wei started. he has no doubt Il would be
further spread through its adoption by
eaolne superntendents OF education in
the various States
Mr.. Menken stated that he regards this
matter OF education of the people the
only means of meeting the requirements
Tor increased intelligence by the voter
ana that this work is the most importan.
matter that could be undertaken by the
american people at the present tire. III
Is impossible. he says, to everest. mat.
the benehcial effect Il would have ~
properly introduced and popular rized
MI henken further states that at the
congress he will suggest a definite plan
Tor constructive work on the part OF both
great political parties: that as the Do
litical party is the familiar link between
The people and the government Il is
necessary that II do it's part IN any plan
OF constructive patriotism Both political
barties today are anachronisms, are moth
ing but nominating bodies, he says, and
they do not devote any attention to the
establishment Of political views or poll
cies, except as a means of electing can
didates; that the platform adopted by
the political parties does not represent
the well-considered views Of the party
or in any way reflect the will OF the ma
tion.
Admiral William G. Benson yesterday
took up his duties as president Of the
General Board OF the Navy, succeeding
the late Admiral Dewey. Admiral Ben
son is also chief of the Bureau Of Naval
10 Nj
officer Of the navy. which rank he will
hold as long as he continues chief Of = Ner-
atons, or until his successor is appC Mt
ed. The rank OF admiral expired With
the death of Dewey this honor having
been conferred upon him by Congress in
recognition OF his victory at Manila over
the Spanish fleets
Although there is no grade Of admiral
In the navy, four officers hold that rank,
Admiral Benson, Admiral Mayo, Admiral
Winterhalter, and Admiral Csperton.
However, the rank OF admiral attaches to
their office and not to the men individu-
ally, and when these officers are trans
ferred their rank expires and they will be
rear admirsls
Admiral Benson is given seniority over
the four officers Temporarily holding the
rank Of admiral. by the Congressional act
which created this ONCE Of chief Of naval
operations. The act says that this ONCE
shall be the senior oficer ranking next
to the admiral OF the navy, an once now
extinct
The new president Of the General Board
OF the Navy will call a meeting of the
board in a few days and Il is likely that
a reorga nization OF the board under its
new president will take place. With Ad
miral Benson are:
Rear Admirals Frank F. Fletcher and
Charles J. Badger, MAI. Gen. George
Barnett. commsndant OF the Marine
Corps; Capt w s Sims, president Of the
Naval War College and recently recon-
mended for promotion TO rear admiral;
Capt. J. H. Oliver, chief Of the Bureau
Of Naval Intelligence: Capts. A. P. Nib
lack, H Rodmsu, S. s Wood and W. B.
Fletcher, and Commander H. H J. Zige-
meier. secretary.