The New York herald., 1920-01-17
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
When Harry S. D.
NO SYSTEM FOR NAVAL BASES.

Recent orders for flag officer to command and
direct the extension Of n naval base at San Diego
Cal, directs attention to the vaclaton and neglect
that have attended the institution Of fixed policy
upon the establishment of proper naval stations
along our coasts and in our oversee possessions
During his directorship of the Navy Department
that most capable Secretary, Mr. George Won l..
Meyer formulated scheme and submitted recon-
menda tons in this matter that received the hearty
approval of the service. His plan contemplated
the abandonment of all but two three yards on
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the creation of
two or three primary stations, thus concentrating
a few large and we'll developed plants at localities
near or at centres Of industries serving naval de-
mands. close to sources OF supply for labor and at
the same time favored by strategic advantages Of
a superior order
In his annual report for 1918 Secretary Daniels
disagrees with this sound policy and, while ac-
knowledging the force of of its arguments
claims that the war was demonstrating the neces-
sity of maintaining in operation the many and
closely grouped stations the coast for the quick
repair and construction of naval craft 1t is need
less to recall that the plan Of Secretary Meyer
opposed by politicians and political hacks, who
found in local naval establishments the means of
sustaining their influence and Of rewarding, ire
spective of fitness. their ward leaders and hungry
followers. Since that defeat Of policy pregnant
with wisdom and common sense nothing practical
has been attempted beyond investigation, and the
country is still dependent the arrant and ex-
travagant want of system that has existed for
years.
Notwithstanding the promise two years ago Of
Mr. Daniels to present to Congress concrete recon-
mendations for the location and expansion OF navy
yards no such report has been made. This year,
it Is true, Congress IS invited to consider the
haustive study Of all harbors and bases made by
the experienced officers composing the Helm
Board. which in 1916 spent weeks on the Pacific
coast Furthermore, it is pointed out that the
navy's annual estimates are in part based on the
recommendations Of this Board and Of the subse-
uuent Mexican committee. Without a trcmor or
blush Mr.. Daniels mentions his personal visit to
the Pacific in August and the accompanying study
made by him OF "al the suggested possible sites
of naval bases most needed in the Pacific from
the Mexican to the Canadian border and Hawaii"
large order this In commenting on this expert
examination the well informed writer known as
.Strategy' has declared in our columns that "this
so-cacd inspection by the Secretary and his tempo
rary Chief OF Operations who passed n few min
utcs or hours at each point could he OF no par
ticular value The pgconholes OF the Navy De
partment are stuffed with intelligent information
and carefully prepared reports and plans on this
subject OF naval bases in tho Pacific and there arc
sdmiras now in Washington who know ten times
more .han the Secretary and his temporary assist