The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-08-21
SEWERS CONNECTION
WITH NAVY LEAGUE
OFFICIAL RELATIONS Or
DERED STOPPED.
Work for Sailors Under Aus
pices of This Organization
Must Come Otherwise.

Washington, Aug. 17.-Au unof-
! fetal connection between the navy
and the Navy League was severed
today by order of Secretary Daniels
as result of the recent action of
the league headquarters in charging
that investigation of the recent fatal
| explosion at Mare Island Navy Yard
was being blocked by influence of
labor interests.
The secretary gave notice to the
public that no representative of the
league would be admitted hereafter
to any naval station or ship, and that
nothing whatever would be accepted
by the navy from the league as at
present officered and managed.
Thousands of women throughout
the country are knitting sweaters.
wristlets and other articles for sail
crs under the auspices of the Navy
League. Todays notice means that
these will not be accepted unless
rendered through some agency other
than the present officers of the
! league.
Daniels Notice.
Secretary Daniels notice, address
ed to the public follows:
I'm view of the slanderous and
false statement of the Navy League.
rejecting upon the honesty of the
naval administration and the integ-
rity of officers of the navy, RESPONSE
bility for which has been assumed
by officials of the league, notice is
hereby given to the public that the
navy department has directed that
no officer, agent or representative of
the navy league will be admitted TO
any naval station, naval reservation
or ship in the navy.
Persons who contribute to the
Navy League in the future will do so
with the understanding that the
navy department will not permit the
acceptance of anything whatever
from that organization as at present
ofticered and managed"
Denounced Mt Time
When the league published it's
statement saying it had reliable in
| formation that the Mare Island ex-
| plosion was the result OF a con-
spiracy, and that the navy's inquiry
was blocked by labor interests. Sec
retary Daniels denounced it as false
and libelous and wrote Robert NJ.
Thompson, president of the organi-
zation. that that the best service he
and his fellow officers could perform
would be to resign.
Mr.. Thompson replied with an Of
fer to resign if the secretary would
also get out.
The Navy League is a civilian or
ganization fromed some twelve years
ago to work for the enlargement and
Improvement of the navy. Its men,
bership includes many former or re-
tired naval officers. Nine out Of ten
OF the members. Mr.. Daniels said to-
| day, are patriotic citizens, doing a
good work.
Investigation Of the Mare Island
tragedy still is going on and no re-
port has been made. The secretary
| in his statement said 1t had been
current rumor that the magazine was
set off by time fuse. but that ac-
cording to custom no publicity had
been given the fact pending report
from the naval board.
Another Attack.
Tonight the league headquarters
issued another statement attacking
Secretary Daniels. charging him with
throttling freedom of speech OF
naval officers and declaring that he
suppressed a complaint from Vice
Admiral Sims that American naval
forces in European waters were not
informed Of the departure of the
transports bearing the first American
expedition to France until the ships
had been at sea four days. Eight
naval officers rear Admiral Sims,
protest, the statement said, and
required to place their initials upon
IL.
The statement expressed the opin-
ion that the public wsuld not permit
Secretary Daniels to dictate through
whom their gifts to the navy should
come.
The Information regarding the