Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-02
HIGHEST OFFICIALS
OF NAVY ABOARD
~.
FLEET At n. Y.
Men Praised for Work-Mr
Daniels Joins Them
Off Virginia.
By the Associated Press.


NEW YORK. May 1.--When the At
lantic fleet steamed in past Ambrose
light early today, the Pennsylvania car
rted the three highest officials Of the
naval service. Besides Secretary Dan
tels. who boarded the ship of the Vir-
ginis capss yesterday morning for the
last lap Of the homeward cruise Ad-
miFai Coonts. chief Of naval operations,
WAS q guest Of Admiral Wilson. COM
handing the Atlantic fleet and senior
SEA commander Of the Navy. Mr..
Daniels and Admiral Coontz stood with
Admiral Wilson on the flag bridge as
the great sea force made it's stately
progress through crowded harbor and
river to its anchorage.
Two-Hsur Run Northward.
As the Pennsylvania fell into her
place in line yesterday. a string OF
flags shot to her signal yards. The
admiral had ordered a two-hour speed
run northward. The destroyers leaped
In from their stations on the TANKS
rushing by the battleships at high
speed to spread a five-mile line across
the sea In front Of the main force. The
battleshtps forged into '.line-a-beam'
position. as the Navy knows 1t. eight
great ships abreast with all the ocean
before them. and another color burs,
as the flagship signal yard started the
race.
For two hours they surged north
ward. the North Dakota, leading the
four coal burners. forged slowly
ahead. She was to lee Of the smokeless
oil burners. and the great banks Of
hi nL GYpNA hnf 4,
stacks painted mimic storm clouds
for miles against the clear sky astern
Was Test of Personnel.
The test was Of personnel rather
than ships. The feet went south with
green crews that could not get then
up to more than cruising speed. Three
months later the same engine room
forces brought them back on three.
fourths boiler power at nineteen
knots. That's what the winter drills
had done for the men.
Mr.. Daniels Goes Ashore.
Secretary Daniels and the two ad
mirals went ashore to inspect the new
dreadnaught Tennessee. at Brooklyn
navy yard. But there was no wait
ing for the crew. Crisp and clean ir
freshly pressed navy blues, and with
hats at jaunty angles. they lined the
decks. hurting critical comments al
comrades who were breaking oui
the boats for liberty parties. Hardly
had the admiraPs own barge taker
the water when the first motor sailor
rushed by, shore-bound and loaded te
capacity with Jackfes and marines of
duty. In ten minutes the river land.
ingS all up and down the eight-mile
line OF the fleet were each pouring its
wstreaSn Of sunburned youngsters into
the great heart Of the city.
Message b. Radio.
On the way up the harbor Mr.. Dan.
ieis spoke by radio telephone to 9
crowd in Times Square, where ampli.
hers had been set up. At first con.
slant interference by amateur wire.
less operators broke up tho novel
greetings from feet to city, but ulti.
nately Navy, radio experts made. good
their promise. and the SSecretary'a
words were plainly audible In the
square while he was still on the mcv:
ing ship down the river.
In a statement regarding the work
Of the feet during the winter. Admiral
Wilson said he felt that much of value
had been accomplished.
''OmcerS and men," he said. were
confronted with many difficulties not
usually met. An unusually large pro-
portion Of the crews were compare
lively unframed. and to carry on the
work Of the ships and the fleet ant
to train these men brought an ex'
ceesive amount OF work upon the
ofiicers and the older men.