Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-02

NNI authority matters pertaining
w to American navy. His words were gospel
His views were respected by all Americans he occn-
pied the highest rank is possible for an officer OF the
American navy to reach He occupied 1T because OF
his recognized to discharge its duties and re-
sponsibtes no other man in the navy. NO one
not even the courageous Roosevelt-had
the temerity during Deweys life to chailenge his
opinions about the His the last word
All of is said by of inviting attention to
Deweys opinion Josephus Daniels secretary of the
navy-an opinion that COMPOUNDED Daniels carping
critics regarded Daniels the best secretary
the navy department has ever had.
Mrs Mildred Mclean Dewey, widow of the lamented
admiral written the following letter to Senator Lee
s Overman of North Carolina which has been pub
lished in the Congressional Record:
wish you. and the people of the country also.
to know that my husband felt for the present sec
rotary of navy, the Hon. Josephus Daniels.
sincere affection. Only short time ago the
admiral said: Il have been in the navy sxty-two
years, and have served under many secretaries OF
the navy but Secretary Daniels is the best secre-
tary had, and has done moro for the
navy than other. 1 amazed by his knowl-
edge of technical matters. He has studied pro-
foundry and his opinion is founded on close OBJ
servation'F
Mrs Dewey's expression of the late admirals ad-
miration for Secretary Daniels unsolicited, and
came to Senator Overman a surprise. 1t is calcu
lated silence the malicious critics of Daniels both IN
and of the
Although, as Admiral Dewey said, Daniels is the
best secretary the navy has had, and has done
the than other, the fact is that no
secretary Of the other cabinet officer has been
so persistentIy maciously maligned The press,
particularly of the east has been unsparng and I'M
reasoning its criticisms and attacks upon Daniels.
He has held UP and ridicule
sstently that literally people been
deceived concerning his capacity. His predecessor,
George L. Meyer of Massachusetts,, has been any
thing but and generous toward Daniels, when.
truth tell, Meyer should not be mentioned in the
same breath with Daniels.
Daniels a working secretary. Meyer social
secretary. Daniels is on the job from early in the
morning until after night and has little time for
society Meyer a great clubman. social leader,
and comparatively little attention to the navy
department
The unpopularity Of Daniels, nearly may be
computed from the by him of the order
against the wine aboard naval vessels and in
navy yards Some of those who we're loudest
protests against this order have since changed their
minds about the wisdom of it's issuance They believe
time has justified it's wisdom. 1t has made for
sobriety in the navy, and though there
officers who still the restriction. it is certain
that again will wine other ntoxicants be toll
Grated aboard American warship
Daniels firm stand against armor plate manufac-
turers munitions makers ETC., has softened the
Of his critics, but his unques-
tionaby has saved money for the people
strengthened the preparedness with the people.
The efforts of the secretary to popuarize the navy
and make it attractive for the enlisted also,
dispeased a number of persons but these methods
have worked wonders in increasing enlistments and
bringing the to higher standard of efficiency.
Admiral Dewey familiar with the reforms insti-
by Daniels, and he lived long enough
Of them tried out with the result that he noted the
general improvement in the American navy.
His words of praise not the words of a subor-
dinate seeking preferment-they not political
fattery uttered in the hope of getting something
iels couldn't have helped hurt Dewey if he had
of the mind Moreover Deweys praise of Daniels was
withheld from Daniels himself and public
until after Dewey dead and gone, there
possibly be question to their sincerity
The fact is Daniels. for some months past, has
been growing steadily in the estimation he
Long the more intelligent officers navy
reached the conclusions by Dewey and lat
terly this impression has gained considerable Roadway
with the public, long deceived by unjust attacks Of
partisan press.