New-York tribune., 1920-01-05

OW W0JOTc WQDy
Those Who We're and Those Who
Might Have Been Decorated
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Indeed, the truth about the
United States Navy to-day nearly ex-
ceeds IN righteousness the old "Pinafore"
satire. The question is, Are the people
Iully satisfied that this policy continue !?
The argument has been advanced. "See
what the navy did during the war; the
demonstrated efficiency was par excel
lence, therefore we have no cause to
worry about our first line of defense"
This sounds plausible because the "Pina-
tore" germs previous to the war had
gained only a superficial grip and all
hands brushed them aside in the emer-
gency. Officers Of the old school pigeon
noled petty irritations and paid no at
tention to unprofessional meddling:
they shouldered their independent re-
sponsibilities magnifcently and concen
trated only on getting on with the war.
In time Of peace, however, Wings are
different. Now these germs are multiply
ing and becoming malignant, the disease
OF just grievances is surely setting in,
and it will take all the strength of our
naval traditions to throw it off At
best, unless relief comes very soon, in
calculable harm will be done.
An adequate navy, as every one knows.
is simply an insurance policy. Without
our navy in the last war our army never
could have reached France, and the war
would have been lost. Now Mr.. Mondell
tells US 1t is time to let this insurance
lapse. In other words, Mr.. Mondell, with
anarchists and incendiaries all around
US, urges US to practice economy BY
dropping the fire insurance on our
houses. An inadequate navy is no bet
ter than none at all, and if the country
is so poor that it cannot pay the men
Of the navy living wage, thus driving
from it's ranks the most competent men
who can and will seek living elsewhere.
then it seems we might as we'll scrap
our battleships and take the conse-
quences.
| What is there now to attract to the
naval service? There has always been
considerable sacrifice Of home life and
separation from children, and now comes
not only sacrifice Of luxuries but an
actual denial Of ordinary comforts in a
constant struggle to keep the wolf from
the door. Coupled with this is a pro-
gressive diminishing of the professional
pride and satisfaction that a naval Of
ticer may take in his work. This is the
sort Of poison that undermines morale.
The latest "Pinafore" stunt, however.
quite caps the climax, namely, the list of
naval awards in which valor and distin-
guished service have been hopelessly
confused with the polishing up of the
handle of the big front door"
AS an example Of unjust discrimina-
tion may be mentioned the passing
over Of heads of departments and exec
utives of capital ships on duty in the
war zone. 1t is we'll known that to be
executive officer and gunnery officer of
battleship demands the highest stand
ard Of professional ability. After the
Spanish War captains, executive off,
GERS and chief engineers were accorded
recognition. In this war, however, ex
ecutive officers and chief engineers Of
battleships, cruisers and transports are
humiliated by having it published to
IN
considered less meritorious than that
Of officers in positions of obviously less
responsibility both a1oat and ashore.
1t does not matter 80 much where the
line is drawn so long as it is fairlv
drawn.
For instance, although I am not writ
ing personally, as do not even know
who the officer is, consider the position
of the chief engineer of the Leviathan.
who, by his faithful and continuous
care Of those great engines during nu-
merous voyages through the war zone.
contributed as much as any one single
man could contribute toward the defeat Of
the enemy. After his experiences in a
months Of strain and responsibility,
when q breakdown in the war zone
might easily have caused the loss of
10000 precious lives, how do you sup
pose it makes him feel to have the
country officially informed that his SER
vices have been less mertorious than
those Of many who never passed within
striking distance Of the Hun torpedo?
AS the awards were listed, the infer
encc is clear that had he been less sue
cessful as an engineer and had the
Levlsthan consequently been slowed
down in the war zone and torpedoed.
then he might have been decorated.
ONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE
NAVY RECEIVE A SQUARE DEAL.
| New York, Jan. 4, 1920.
The Best Evidence
tFrom Tho Portland press)