Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1917 — HARASSING THE PRESIDENT [ARTICLE]

HARASSING THE PRESIDENT

The Lafayette Journal, the leading Republican paper of the Tenth district, w'hich never bad a good word for President Wilson or his official family prior to the declaration of war on Germany, and which even now endeavors to offer criticism while at the same time upholding the President ■ and approving of the important moves made in connection with the war, published the following editorial Wednesday : Petty scandal apd bickering seem destined to harass President Wilson in the early stages of the war when harmony and efficiency should everywhere prevail. The shipping board

scghdal and the waste of valuable time in that quarter is still fresh in the public mind. s ‘ Now ■ comes the Navy Lea d civilian organization, attacking the navy department with the/ resultant criminations and recriminations. It is charged -by the Navy League that the investigation of the Mare Island explosion which resulted in . the death and injury of a number of men is being blocked through labor sources and that pitiless publicity is the only thing that will enable Secretary Daniels to arrive *at the truth of the matter. In “a tart letter of response the secretary advises Robert M, Thompson, president of the Navy League, and Mr. Staton, secretary of the league, to get out and shut up? Secretary Daniels lacks’ the confidence of practically everyone except President. Wilson. However, the interference of outside organizations with departmental matters is to be resented, at least unless the charges are more' specific than in the present case. ' The Navy League was organized a dozen years ago for .the purpose of advocating a bigger and better navy and it has constantly criticized Secretary Daniels’ administration of naval affairs. But in. this instance it should be more explicit if it expects the endorsement of the 'public. Secretary Daniels rightfully maintains that -the details of the Mare Island investigation should not be made public until such time as the department is sure of its facts. If, as is alleged, the work of the department is being hindered by antagonistic influences that only publicity will eliminate, then he is making; a mistake in not taking the public into his confidence. So far as the public has knowledge of the facts Mr. Daniels has been more efficient recently than he was prior to the outbreak of the war. The transportation to France of troops and supplies has been accomplished in a commendable manner. When the squabbles of the shipping board delayed the work of repair on damaged German vessels interned in American ports he ordered these vessels to various navy yards where the repairs were accomplished while the shipping board members still quarreled among themselves. The vast responsibility for the further movement of troops and supplies rests upon the navy department and will afford Mr. Daniels ample opportunity to manifest his right to continue at the head of the department. There are too many civilian organizations without official stand-

ing attempting to assume responsibility for the conduct of this war. It may be that the Navy League is one Of them. ‘Timq- will tell.