Evening star., 1918-02-12
SECRETARY DANIELS
SCORES PESS|M|SM
Navy Chief Addresses Men,
bers of Southern CONNER
ciaI Congress.
NEW PRESIDENT GOES IN

| Pessimism in looking at Americas war
future and profteering were assailed by
Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy,
| in an address last night before members
of the Southern Commercial Congress. at
a dinner at the University Club.
/ The dinner was given in honor OF SEN
ator Duncan L. Fletcher of Florida, re-
tiring president of the congress, and
| Judge Robert Worth Bingham of Louis
! vile. Ky. the new president.
| Declaring that the pessimistic attitude
exhibited here in Washington was the re
result of the disgruntled thoughts OF men
who have failed to get Iich government
| contracts. the Secretary said:
These men should be put to stevedore-
ing under Pershing. That will be the best
way for them to regain their normal at
| titude toward their country.
Found Pessimism in Washington.
spondent. after spending two years at the
front. came to Washington full of hope
and enthusiasm for the cause for which
America entered the war. He found the
hotel corridors and clubs of Washington
pervaded with an atmosphere of pes
simiSm
I'VE have no place for such an attitude
The only sentiments we have time for
now are conservation and courage. Amer
iCa has done more to prepare for war in
six months than any other nation in the
history of the world. We are making ship
builders out of farmers. taking men who
never in their lives drove a rivet and
turning them into the builders of the ships
which will transport ten million of our
boys to France-nay. twenty million, if
necessary. to win the war. We are now
building more torpedo boat destroyers than
any other nation in the world. and the
.1oSr rtop
commerce will not be carried to every
port o., the seas under the American flag.
Energy Due to Senator Fletcher.
"A great deal OF this tremendous pro-
gram is due TO the foresight and energy of
L. Fletcher. Had other members Of
Congress seen the great need of shipping
as he did the biggest blunder the United
States has made in a decade would not
have happened. and the shipping bill
would have passed two years before He
had the vision TO see that we need a
strong merchant marine
On his retirement from the presidency
of the congress in favor of Judge Bing-
ham, Senator Fletcher was presented
with silver loving cup. Welcoming
his successor to the presidency of the
congress. Senator Fletcher reviewed
the work of the organization, saying
that it has literally united the north
and the south through the unanimity of
its aims and the coordination of its
efforts.
During my seven years president
of the congress- said Senator Fletcher.
Il have seen the commercial develop
ment of the south greatly enhanced.
A large part of this is due to the eff
forts of the gentlemen here tonight.
We have accepted opportunities for
service which We're suddenly presented
and which the founders never antici-
pated would arise. We have reached
into foreign lands, and our literature,
name and influence went with the flag.
New energy has come to the congress,
and as one who has shared for seven
years its burdens and responsibilities.
1 congratulate the officers and members
of the congress upon the happy choice
of Judge Bingham. third president of
the Southern Commercial Congress-