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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, to All Naval Forces

TELEGRAM

Secretary’s Office (Chief Clerk)1

Lu-J

August 15th 1918

Telegram

ALNAV

DURING THE WAR IT IS DESIRED TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPERATIVE NECESSITY OF MAKING NO REQUISITIONS THAT ARE NOT ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR WAR WORK. REQUISITIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, ADDITIONS TO RESIDENCES, NEW QUARTERS, CHANGES AFLOAT OR ASHORE THAT ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY NEEDED FOR WINNING THE WAR WILL ALL BE DISAPPROVED. IT IS DESIRED THAT O SUCH REQUISITIONS BE FORWARDED. ALL OFFICERS ARE DIRECTED TO PERMIT NO WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN THAT COULD BE DELAYED UNTIL IMPERATIVE WAR WORK IS FINISHED. THE DEMAND FOR LABOR AND MATERIAL OF ALL KIND EXCEEDS THE SUPPLY. NOT A MAN OR A DOLLARS WORTH OF MATERIAL SHOULD BE EMPLOYED IN ANYTHING NOT ESSENTIAL.

DANIELS.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Chief Clerk Frank S. Curtis.