Evening star., 1924-03-10
DENNY, DEPARTING,
HAILED BY FRIENDS
Hundreds Pay Tribute to Re-
tiring Naval Secretary.
Successor Unnamed.

secretary Denby'S resignation be-
came effective today amid the tributes
Of his associates in the Navy Depart
ment.
Il am trying" he told them, "to
die with my face toward the enemy"
Mr.. Denby's retirement Is the first
break in the cabinet during President
Coolfdge's administration, and his
successor has not been selected, al
though the field is understood to
have been narrowed considerably in
the last few days. Until an appoint
ment is made, Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt will be in charge Of the
department as acting Secretary.
The list of eligibies mentioned to
succeed Mr.. DENLY has dwindled to
Gov. Dixon of Montana, James E.
Davidson, republican national COM
mitteeman from Michigan, and for
and the President is expected momen-
tarily to announce his selection.
May Ran for Senate.
The retiring Secretary devoted his
time today to pending business of
the department requiring his per-
sonal attention and to taking the
oath as a major in the Marine Corps
Reserves, 4 commission he surren-
dered when he entered the cabinet.
His last-minute work, however, was
frequently interrupted by those who
have served under him for the last
three years calling to say farewell.
He will return to Detroit shortly and
is expected to announce then his
plans for the future, particularly
with reference to reports that he in
tends to seek the republican nominal
ton for United States senator.
High officers of the Navy and Ma
rine Corps also were present today in
Mr. Denby's Office when he was sworn
in as major in the Marine Reserve
Corps. The oath was administered by
Maj. Gen. Lejeune, commandant of the
Marine Corps.
Crowds Greet DENLY.
Just as the ceremony was concluded
and as Mr.. DENLY stood with up
raised hand repeating the words in
which he repledged himself to defend
enemies" the Marine Band, grouped
on the street outside, broke into the
strains of the Marine Corps march,
"Semper Fidelis."
The retiring Secretary's desk was
decorated profusely with flowers sent
by his friends and admirers to grace
Department. AS his last official act
he received and greeted the naval
attaches from the embassies and lega-
tions in Washington, who came in
, full uniform, and hundreds of civilian
employees Of the Navy Department,
who passed in line to shake hands and
say goodbye.
Clerks Present Memorial.
Chief Clerk F. s. Curtis. who has
been in the office of the Secretary
of the Navy for thirty-three years
presented Mr.. DENLY with a memorial
signed by hundreds of the civilian
personnel of the department. 1t read
as follows:
ITO Hon. Edwin DENLY:
I'VE, the undersigned civilian em-
p1oyes of the Navy Department, sub
NIT to you this declaration of our
high regards and steadfast conf
dence anu our appreciation of your
uniform justice and considerate cour-
the Navy.
I'VE beg to express our hopes and
prayers for your future happiness"
Mr.. DENLY, visibly affected, re-
sponded with a short address assur-
ing the department clerks that he
had valued highly their faithful and
loyal services.
During the morning the retiring
Secretary sent broadcast this mes
civil personnel of the naval establish
ment wherever they may be located: !:
Goodbye and God bless you,
EDWIN DENBY."