Ogden Daily Standard | 1916-01-29 | Page 16 | Tillman Praises Sec Daniels

TILLMAN PRAISES SEC: DANIELS Washington, Jan. 2S. Secretary Daniels was praised as "one of tbe greatest secretaries the navy ever had" and former Secretary Meyer was asailed today by Chairman Tillman of the senate naval committee In a speech on "the truth about the navy." Senator Tillman took Mr. Meyer to task for his recent declaration before the National Security league that "the fundamental defect of the navy department de-partment ls that It has no brain and no competent military organization." "Mr. Meyer forgets," said Senator Tillman, "if he ever knew, that when he left the navy It was nearly six thousand men short, that 46 per cent of the men discharged In good standing stand-ing were leaving the navy, while 85 per cent are now re-enllstlng and that during his incumbency there were 10,-360 10,-360 desertions. So far about two and a half years there have been only 4,375 desertions since his successor entered office. "Tho dead of tha navy himself Is not a pampered and petted darkling of inherited wealth, but a red-blooded upstanding, forward-looking American who Is a graduate of the hard school of experience and a practical man wltl" wholesome ideas." Senator Tillman praised other officers offi-cers of the navy, who ls said were "no known at all In the drawing rooms in Washington or Newport." oo