Show I Put Some Kick in It ItI I One result of discussion of the nations nation s preparedness for for war wars s seems ems likely likel to be the formation of a general staff for the navy similar to that of the army i The occupation of a general staff is to put into operation plans and resources in time of war and gild to sit around looking ti wise vise I the rest of the time To be c sure we occasionally hear of the genI general general gen gen- era eral staff testing some invention but really it is only about one I year in twenty that the general staff is able to earn its salt We rc are going to suggest to President Wilson and Secretary Daniels that if they have to appoint a general navy staff they put in it one citizen who knows little or nothing about naval affairs This appointee should be some shrewd honest courageous man who knows a thief from a pr professional expert who can spot a fakir or lob lobbyist on sight and who has the courage to denounce I a man mall or a body of men who seek to exploit naval affairs for selfish ends ends' J The idea that a general staff sn of directors of army navy railI railroads railroads rail rail- raili i roads or most anything else should consist wholly of experts or I professionals i is a a. a mistaken on one I It means a limitation of views It means the taking of a lot of things for granted that are not nots s so or that are obsolete It It means means lack of publicity to which the public is entitled It means less explanation of the why Theres There's no staff or association tion that isn't better for having anI an honest vigorous rigorous kicking m minority t This country countr t doesn't need a general naval staff that will stick tick tog together ther cover up p its own weaknesses and look on silently I for the fair repute of the naV navy while millions are being wasted and w war r scares worked up for the benefit of contractors A general general general gen gen- eral naval staff should mean brains all nIl sorts of brains not merely t brains bound up in a cold compress of red tape and profession profession- |