The New York herald., 1922-03-05
Latest Attack Refusal to Ap-
propriate Funds for Fuel
for the Fleet.
SERVICE MORALE BROKEN
Shouting Economy Politi-
clans Are Insuring Shortage
of Ships, Officers and Men.
by eraser sCHoRNsTHEIMER
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., March 4.


Washington. ID. C., March 4.
On Wednesday, March /. the subcom-
mittee on Naval Appropriations of the
House of Representatives refused 90 pro-
vide for the necessary fuel for the fleet
FOR the rest OF the year. OF course, 1t
didn't mean that money shouldn't be
spent on fuel, but just refused to provide
any money Then. II the navy Is tied
up and unable to move at a critical time.
Congress can turn and heap Goals OF fire
on the heads OF our naval officers.
Kelley is responsible beyond question
OF doubt Last year. ably seconded
by Madden and Butler. this gentleman,
who has sworn to defend the Constitution
OF the United States, refused to allow
sufficient fuel to be provided for the
fleet, and so at present we have five
capital ships Of the Atlantic fleet in
Cuban waters and all other ships tied
up Now. next year. not single ship
will be able TO do any steaming IL the
present course Is adhered to.
And OF course, and as usual. Con-
gress will blame the navy when 1t can
not give service
The morale OF the navy is broken! I
say this positively. Not only does this
statement apply to the regular service
but the reserve and those in training as
well. Thousands Of our young men en-
tered into a contract with the Govern
ment of the United States to serve in the
navy for period Of years. Should they
break this contract they would be
thrown into prison as deserters. but
Congress breaks the contract on the part
of the Government by failing to provide
the very small amount necessary to
maintain the naval reserve, yet 1t is inn
possible to inlprison Kelley or Madden
or Butler or any Of the others response
BILE
At the Naval Academy we have $500
young men, appointed to this great
school by favor of members of Con-
gress, the President and the Secretary of
the Navy Kelley would throw them out
after they have completed the education
that fits them for duties as naval Of
ficers-and this just after we expert
enced such a great need for trained Of
ficers in the navy, and while the SER
vice is still suffering from the lack of
them
Declines to Recognize Ratio.
The nation at large believed that our
navy was becoming all out Of proper
tion to foreign services, and so an inter-
national conference for the reduction
called. Our service was reduced at a
greater rate than any foreign service
and a ratio was applied. But Congress
now refuses to allow this nation to MAIN
tain its position, or recognize the ratio.
DO the people of the United States real
lie these facts and approve? ! doubt il.
Last week the president of the Naval
War College. Admiral Sims, made IL
speech at Minneapolis in the course of
which he severely criticized the Navy
Department from many angles. He was
both right and wrong. While the Navy
Department realizes the ruin into which
Congress Is plunging the service, one
must remember that the official AK
hangs high, warning to those who dare
oppose the efforts OF some of our dear
Congressman toward reelection.
Congress Is running the navy for po-
litical purpose-to show apparent econ
omy for the next elections-and Il Is an
unwritten law, the navy must keep out
OF politics.
1t is entirely truo that the proof Of
the ruin that is being wrought Is availa-
BILE to the press. but the press has no
means OF knowing where TO find 1t or
how to find il, and the navy has been
carefully muzZled and can't tell. AS the
present situation comes to light, the pub
lie will ask: why did not some naval
officer expose the situation? Is there no
moral courage in the service?'
Running Navy's Morale