Evening star., 1922-05-30
Use of Public Craft for Private
Cruises Is Condemned.

The Secretary of the Navy has
learned in the last few days that
somebody is always taking the joy
out of life-at least making de-
termined effort in that direction.
However, as he stands upon the deck
Of the best transport in the service,
the Transport Henderson, that is
carrying him and his classmates of
Annapolis, 1881, to a class reunion in
Japan. and reflects upon the burdens
and trials Of public office, it would
cheer him greatly to know that some
of the newspapers of his country. in
the interest of international friend
ship and good will, are wishing him
"Godspeed." in spite of Senate reso-
lutions.
Senator McCormick's resolution.
unanimously adopted "by the dozen
or SO senator's who were present" as
one paper puts it, denQuncing the use
of the Navy transport ito convey
former midshipmen OF the United
States" to Japan, nevertheless Is sup
ported by a representative minority
of the press, which disapproves the
expense involved and the use OF Navy
ships for private pleasure cruises.
The occasion of a class reunion at
the invitation of Admiral Uriu OF
Japan, also a member of Annapolis
'S1. is in no sense official, the Indian.
even have the color of an inspection
trip" Therefore, held purely for
the purpose Of getting together and
talking over old times, there seems
to be no reason why the governmen
should be put to any expense in get
n
they can give the Naval Academy
yell, throw arms over each others
shoulders and be young again..
Carried out in the face OF formai
protest from the Senate, presumably
acting in behalf Of American tax AK
taste In the mouths Of most people
the Richmond Times-Dispatch be-
lieves, even though the expense be
neeiigible." Other writer's. however,
contend that the cost Is far from
negligible. The Hartford Times nores
that the party consists OF anous 1r
with their wives. sisters and daugh.
ters, making the entire party at
least seventy-five persons. They Will
be on the Henderson at least !50
days, and get accommodatons wnIcn
would cost them at least IS day
while the food would cost - DAY
srations' in keeping with the rule Of
the Navy Department Then. con-
tinues the New York Herald. add TO
the huge actual expense OF this pleas
ure party the fact that the Navy IL
gravely short Of fuel while the COM
that there are far too few officers
and men, as 1t is, to perform the nee
essary work Of the service routine
and tho wasteful DENLY 5unketing
party is incomprehensible. In fact
ian astounding performance. To the
appears that II some Of the members
Of President Harding's cabinet were
to make an intended Job Of trying to
mako his administration unpopular
they could not make q worse mess OF
things than they are.
From all this fuss" It might ap-
pear that the sole purpose in sending
the transport to the orient was to
convey some twenty-five former mem
bers Of the class of 1881 of the Naval
Academy to Japan for their annual
reunion in Toxic" but this, the New
York World says. Is not the case, and
protest know that it is not, The
facts are, as the World states them.
that the Henderson was booked to sail
in any event with q naval cargo for
Hawaii and the orient ana q large
number Of officers and enlisted men
to replace others who are to be
brought homo on the return trip.
And under tho circumstances 'tne
cost Of transporting the cx.ra thirty
classmen" is scarcely vital mat
ter. In the opinion OF the Mobile
But "even IL 1t did involve an ap-
prectable cost" the Columbus (Ohio) }
Dispatch believes that acceptance OF
the invitation is an act Of interna-
ttonal courtesy we'll worth while y
for, AZ the Albany Knickerbocker
Press says, "it was q very gracious
thought on the part Of the Japanese
which prompted this invitation" and
ssto refuse It would not only be to de-
clir1e an opportunit to aid In cement
ing the kindly relations between Ja-
pan and the United States. but II
would be an act Of boortshness and
churlishnesa."
There IL every reason. the Detrolt
News thinks, afor the United 8tataa
to demonstrate that the spirit OF Cos
operation ennnciafeQ hy her at the
armax&enfs Limitation conference ex-
pecta to endure and even should
Senate hostility to the Denby trip 80
TO the threAtened length OF refusins
the Navy MONEY to pay. TOR IL, the
Phfladeaphia Bul1st1n suggests that
ssfha expense might 4 property be
Charged q the dlp1ouaGtlo fund ~ fAs
Icoat OF bit ox int4rn&tlouA oouT 1esy
snd comttys witA 1Zesg fsseats
= f.. : -