New Britain herald., 1922-09-14
NAVY LEAGUE PLANS
 ID HOLD NAVY DAY
Movement Has Hearty Approval Of Acting Secretary Of Navy

Washington. Sept ll.-A proposal by the navy league to set aside a Navy Day to be observed throughout the country the last Friday in octo- Der Ito inform the people not only of what their navy has done for them in Its glorious past achievements, but also of what their navy Is doing from day to day, and will do for them in the future" has received the hearty support of Acting Secretary Roosevelt.
 The Idea was suggested several weeks ago and submitted by Presi- dent R. J. Kelly of the navy league after a meeting of the leagues exc cutive committee.
 Kelly's Letter.
 Mir. Kelly's letter and Col Roose- velt's reply made public by the lat ter. follow in part:
 My dear Mir. Secretary:
 "At a meeting of the executive com mittee of the navy league of the United States, 1t was decided to set apart a day to be known as Navy Day. to l, observed throughout the country with appropriate ceremonies. The day proposed is the last Friday in October.
 The navy league, as you know, Is . civilian organization. founded for the purpose of promoting a more gen. eral knowledge of the navy The people should be informed in every detail as to what their navy is doing for them, for 1t is on them that the navy depends for its support.
 The navy has a splendid record of which our people may justly be proud. It is our great defensive weapon and has never caused a war. It has been potent factor. throughout its history. in preserving peace. The navy itself earnestly worked to bring about the success of the recent limi- tation of armament conference.
 Potent Factor
 Above these considerations, how ever, the navy Is a great and potent factor for the development and aid of our people during peace time. do not believe the farmers and manufac- turers of this country realize how closely the navy is interwoven with their everyday affairs. The navy is tnteriocked with many great benevol- ent associations, such as the Red Cross, Y. M. c. A., Knights of Colum- bus. Jewish Welfare board, Navy Re lief, Near East Relief and others. These great humanitarian organiza- lions that care for the needs of the sick and the poor. always assume as . part of their duty. aid forsthose who are in our naval service.
 Every year thousands of young men return to civilian life after a tern of service in our navy. These young men are better citizens in very way. for in addition to the love of country which Is inculcated through service to the flag, they have been practically fitted by work in many diverse occupations to earn their livelihood.
 Day of Information
 Through navy day we propose to inform the people not only of what their navy has done for them in its glorious past achievements, but also of what their navy is doing from day to day, and will do for them in the future.
 Tt, is the earnest desire of the navy league to secure the co-opera- ton of the navy department and the navy. The participation of the navy in the celebration of Navy Day in any way you may suggest, will be cordial ly appreciated,
 Yours very truly,
 (Signed) R. J. KELLY.
 
 Acting Secretary of the Navy. Washington, D. C."
 Secrctary's Letter.
 My Dear Mr. Kelly: T want to thank you for your letter. Your idea is sound in every way, think it particularly good be- cause of certain physical conditions we have in the country. The people | of the seaboard are reasonably famil- far with the navy. They see the great ships. They know the navy men. In the interior of our country, it is, how ever, a different story. The people of opportunity for f1rst-hand informa- ton that their fellow w-ountrymen of California and New York do. They do not realize that the navy serves them equally with the people of the seaboard I hope you will make an special endeavor to familiarize the citizens of our great inland states with the every day service their navy does for them.
 "The navy will be glad to cooper ate with you in any way 1t can. 1 am confident this really patriotic work you are undertaking will be of great service to the country.
 Believe me,
 Yours very truly,
 (signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Mir. R. J. Kelly. president, The Navy League of the United States !, ;,e eton n CH