Evening star., 1933-03-19
BY ERNEST LEE JAHNCKE.

Assistant Secretary Of the Navy, 1929-1933
TOUR years ago, after much de-
- liberation, abandoned the pur.
suit of civil life and my home il
L New Orleans to become the AS
sistant Secretary of the Navy
Although I had been familiar with tht
sea and shipping since boyhood, I hac
some trepidation in entering upon 6
phase Of maritime affairs totally new
to me.
The events, contacts and associations
OF these four years have given me, as
civilian, q new conception of our re-
quirements for the Navy and of its re-
quirements if it is to carry out its desig-
mated functions successfully. Because
! feel that this lack of comprehension
OF the Nays status Is general among
our civil population, am writing these
observations, not as Navy man eX-
pressing the naval viewpoint, not as an
advocate of either disarmament or pre-
paredness, but as a civilian and for
civilians.
We are accustomed to think Of the
Navy in terms of fighting manpower,
ships and guns. do not wish to dwell
on this side of the picture except in
passing. Few persons realize the Navy
numbers civil personnel of approxi-
mately $4,000 men and women, includ-
ing about 1000 who work in the de-
partment in Washington. From this
viewpoint the United States Navy is
qualified to be considered as one of the
major businesses of the land.
Interlocking Plan Cited.
Thus we have a branch of the ma
tional defense and huge business Or
ganlZatlon operating on an interlocking
plan. Perhaps the unique nature of this
institution lies in the division of au-
thority under which it functions Most
enterprises are indirectly but ultimately
controlled by the people. This is true
of the Navy, but unlike most business
and financial institutions, its control
and responsibility are not left in the
hands Of one man or few men working
IN close cooperation.
The Navy has many masters. It is
essential that this complex relationship
be clearly understood. The Secretary
OF the Navy is nominally in charge OF
our armed and civilian forces, but his
authority as well as his tenure of office
are limited. The admirals and other
officers without whose zeal, loyalty and
efficiency the department could not
exiSt-also have definite powers and
limitations of action. Executive control
IS still further shared by the Congress
which can and does exert determining
influence over the policies and plans of
the Navy.
am not criticizing these checks and
blocs inherent in our form of Govern
ment. They must, however, be under
stood If we are to understand the Navy
itself.
AS to the shipboard organization,
there can be no controversy. I have
never seen business organism as COM
plex as battleship run with such COM
plete smoothness. I can truthfully say
man for man, is the equal of any other.
Silent on Organization.
Whether the Navy Department itself
has the best possible organization that
our system of government permits Is
outside the scope of this article. Opin-
ions differ However, my experience
leads me to believe the present organi-
zation is suitable and effective. Busi-
ness is conducted expeditiously and
efficiently. Things are done correctly
and with reasonable dispatch.
The navy yards and shore stations
present darker side of the picture In
accordance with Navy regulations, I
have been in immediate charge of the
navy yard division of the Secretary's
Office and speak with full realization
that my criticism in some cases must
fall upon the heads of those who are
unwilling victims of conditions which
they had no part in creating. I wish
to emphasize that these conditions can
not be laid at the doorstep Of the Off
GERS Of the Navy.
During time when economy in gov
eminent has become national watch
word, We are eXpending vitality needed
appropriations for continuance of un-
necessary navy yards. From the view
point of national defense as well as of
national economy. funds assigned the
Navy should be spent for its improve
ment rather than for maintaining navy
yards which are not now required and
Of which there vii lbe little or no fu-
ture requirement. Every penny diverted
from furthering the national defense re-
duces the effectiveness and protective
value of that national insurance. Local
efforts to continue these Unnecessary
activities on the ground of caring for
unemployment could be met in better
and less costly manner. The money
now required to operate obsolete yards
could be most advantageously used for
the expenditures of the fleet
Since Colonial days our national
trend has been westward. At the time