Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Diary of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels

1917           TUESDAY 24               JULY

Went to Naval Hospital just before operation on Admiral Earle.1 He is the salt of the earth.

Talked to Capt. Bryan2 of Charleston. Negro women had registered to work in clothing factory & no white women could be appointed. Arranged to have segregation & 2 buildings, one for each race. Necessary as could not do work necessary.

Talked to Benson & Mayo3 about seeking co-operation in naval warfare with England and France. Mayo thought he ought to go & I later talked to the President who rather thought it wise. Sims had written to the President who gave me the letter unsealed to read and tell him whether anything new.4 No propositions from England for conference to determine upon joint program—we are asked to send & send, but not a conference where we have equal voice

Cabinet. Shall we recommend increased salaries? No. Redfield5 said he had experts (24) who would resign & they could not live on $2,400. Wilson said they could live very well, but might not be able to keep up with the Joneses.

BerryPalmerBoth boats  The President did not like it

Source Note: D, DLC-MSS, Josephus Daniels Papers, Diaries, Roll 1.

Footnote 1: Adm. Ralph Earle, Chief of the Bureau of Ordinance.

Footnote 2: Capt. Benjamin C. Bryan, Commandant, Charleston Navy Yard.

Footnote 3: Adm. William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, and Adm. Henry T. Mayo, Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet.

Footnote 4: VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters; and President Woodrow Wilson.

Footnote 5: Secretary of Commerce William C. Redfield.