New-York tribune., 1917-08-15
Daniels Demands
Heads of Navy
League Resign
Says Robert M. Thompson
and Others Have SLAM
dered Department

WASHINGTON, Aug. IA state
ment issued to-day from the headquar-
ters Of the Navy League charging that
influence Of labor interests was ham
pering investigation Of the fatal black
powder magazine explosion at the Mare
Island Navy Yard, on July 9, was fol-
lowed tonight by letter from Secre-
tary Daniels to Robert NJ. Thompson,
president Of the league, denouncing the
statement as false and slanderous, and
declaring the best service Mr.. Thomp-
son and other active officials of his
organization can render the navy is to
resign at once.
In its statement the league said 1t
had reliable information that the ex-
plosion, which killed five men and in
jured thirty-one, was set of by time
fuse, giving evidence Of criminal con-
spiracy. The information was made
public. it said, because it had been
urged that publicity was the only meas
ure that could tofce actIon'
Investigation in Progress
Secretary Daniels, in a statement
made public with the letter to Colonel
Thompson, said a board appointed by
the commandant Of the navy yard was
actively pursuing a full investigation
of the explosion, that it had been al
forded ample funds and the full re-
sources of the government, and had not
been hampered in any way by supple
ment~ instructions from the Navy De-
partment. II had been current rumor,
he added, that the magazine was ex-
ploded by a maliciously placed time
fuse. but the department had refralned
from making any statement concern
ing il until il was in possession OF the
full facts.
The Navy League is a civilian organ
ization, formed some twelve years ago
to work for bigger and better navy.
Among its members are many retired
naval officers. but no one on the active
list is connected with it. Mr.. Thomp.
son. president for a number Of years,
is fnancier of prominence, who grad
uated at Annapolis and attained the
rank of master in the navy before re-
signing, in 1871.
Since Secretary Daniels took Office
the league has vigorously attacked him
and his policies.
Secretary Daniels's Letter
Secretary Daniels's letter to Mr.
Thompson follows:
Some time ago you called at the
Navy Department and stated that you
wished the Navy League to be in thor
ough harmony with the Navy Depart
ment, and that if | thought that your
continuance and the continuance OF
Mr.. Station as secretary would make
il impossible for the Navy League to
help the navy you would both retire
and would be pleased TO have me sug-
gest officers who would work in har-
mony with the department. Although
certain members of the Navy League
had for years been unfair in their
criticisms, knew that the bulk OF
it's membership was composed of pa
triotic citizens who had no part or
lot in such use of the league. You
will recall that | told you at the time
that the Navy League was purely vol
untary organization, had no connection
whatever with the Navy Department,
ana that Wnlle l mao not DeeH III ac-
cord with some things the Navy League
had done | did not desire TO have any
direction of the league or make any
statement with reference TO who
should be its officers.
"In view, however, of the false and
slanderous statement given out to-day
by the Navy League, | am writing TO
say that the chief service which you
and the other active officials Of the
Navy League can render to the navy
is to resign at once and permit the
league to be directed By those who
in crisis like the present could not
permit statement to be given out 70
the public which attempts to discredit
the entire Navy Department, and which
will be read with disgust and contempt
by every honest citizen Of America