Daily Kennebec journal., 1924-03-11
DENLY CEASES TO
Be Navy HEAD
NOW MARINE MAJOR

washington hdICH 1U-EuNlh
DENLY surrendered his navy port
folio today but retained q connection
with the naval establishment OF
which he has been the chief for three
years. When he left the secretary's
office late in the day. he was again
Major Dcnby, fourth class. marine
corps reserve. with 4 renewed pledge
of loyalty to the flag on his lips.
You see they cannot force me en-
tirely out of the navy" Mr.. DENLY
said smilingly. Il am still on the
payroll. l draw 81 a month"
Departmental affairs were turned
over to Acting Secretary Roosevelt
until such time as Mr.. Denby's sue
Cessor is nominated and confirmed.
There was nothing to indicate that
President Coolidge has as yet deter
mined definitely upon 4 man for the
post.
The former secretary will leave for
his home in Detroit Wednesday
afternoon, returning to Washington
about March 20. A home coming re-
Ception awaits him as evidence of
the confidence of his fellow towns
men. Detroit will be put to it, how
ever. to make that home-coming
more striking than was the fare
we'll extended to him today by COM
misSioned and civil personnel of the
navy department.
Mr.. DENLY began his last day IN
office with flags drapei cbout the big
room. his desk laden with flowers
wishing him bon voyage on behalf
Of "comradCs of the Navy and Mar
inc Corps on duty in Washington"
and with high officers of the depart
ment gathered to witness his re-
commissioning in the Marine Corps
reserve. He held the rank of Major
when selected by President Harding
to fill the cabinet post.
Standing beside his desk. Mr.. Den
by repeated in solemn tones the oath
administered by Major General Le-
jcune, commandant of the Marine
Corps, and which reunited him with
the service in which he had spent
the war years.
As the general and the recon-
missioned reserve officer shook
hands. the marine band in the street
outside played "Semper Fidelis," the
always faithful" march Of the Ma
AiiiS SptpS-
At his last conference with the
newspapCrmen who have been daily
in touch with him during his cabi-
net years, Mr.. DENLY took occasion
to express his feeling as to that re-
lationship.
Il would like to express my per-
sonal feeling about the press and the
men of the press" he said. Il want
to say that during my three years as
secretary of the navy have not at
any time had the slightest suspicion
of betrayal of confidence. | have no.
thing but the deepest appreciation
and friendship for the men of the
press"
Asked for some final statement,
Mr.. DENLY said:
After three years at the very
nerve center Of the navy and after
some 30 years of more or less union
with the navy. my respect my con-
fidence and my admiration are great
er than ever before. | have been
where all the meanncss. where all
the self-seeking would have been ap-
parent, but / can say that l have
never seen a body of men more
wholly devoted to the country"
Mr.. DENLY called on President
Coolidge during the day to take his
official leave. He spent the after
noon in his office. however, winding
up the last affairs that needed his
signature as secretary and it was af-
ter five o'clock before he left the de-
rariment. with his work as secre.
tary of the navy at an end.