1922 Encyclopædia Britannica/Daniels, Josephus

DANIELS, JOSEPHUS (1862–⁠), U.S. politician, was born at Washington, N.C., May 18 1862. He studied at the Wilson (N.C.) Institute and at the age of 18 became editor of the Wilson Advance. He was admitted to the bar in 1885, but preferred newspaper work, becoming editor of the Raleigh State Chronicle. He was printer for the state of North Carolina from 1887 to 1893, and then for two years, under President Cleveland's administration, was chief clerk of the Department of the Interior. From 1904 he was editor of the Raleigh News and Observer, with which his former paper was consolidated. He was twice a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, and from 1896 to 1916 was a member of the Democratic National Executive Committee. He early became a supporter of Woodrow Wilson for the presidency and was publicity manager for his campaign in 1912. In 1913 he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Wilson. In 1914 he issued an order prohibiting the use of intoxicants on ship-board and within the limits of navy yards and stations. His personal interest in the enlisted men was shown by his provision of opportunities for training in various trades. From the first he advocated increase of the navy. During his first years as Secretary of the Navy he was much criticized, but after America's entrance into the World War the criticism died down. He favoured Government ownership of armour plate plants as well as of telephones and telegraphs. On retiring from the secretaryship of the Navy in 1921 he resumed his duties as editor of his newspaper. He was the author of The Navy and the Nation (1919).