One officer, well known in the navy, said to me quite seriously that he believed the navy would be better off without its two best dreadnoughts if in losing them it could also lose Mr.Daniels.Such sentiments were peculiarly unanimous among officers.

On the other hand, however, a high officer, who has been quite close to the Secretary, informs me that it is indeed true that he has improved as experience has come to him.

This officer stated that when Mr.Daniels first took office he seemed to be definitely antagonistic to officers of the navy.

"He appeared to suspect them of pulling political wires and working in their own interests.

That was in the days when he seemed almost to encourage insubordination among the enlisted men, by his attitude toward them, in contrast to his attitude towards their superiors.