The Pittsburgh Press (January 9, 1943)
Editorial: Free play of free minds
Two young American naval officers were recently returning from duty with a fighting Murmansk convoy resort, they decided they would take the time to write out what they had observed on the voyage. What precautions should they have taken that had been neglected? Could any untried device be employed to frustrate and beat the enemy?
The young men argued and discussed. In the end, their suggestions numbered 23. A wise captain, looking over the paper, forwarded it to Washington. The Navy Department approved 19 of the 23 suggestions, put them into effort and warded medals to the boys.
This is reassuring evidence that much-condemned “channels” are still open, and that the minds of the higher-ups are open, also. No less is there cheer in the evidence that American men, in this new and ghastly business of total war, can apply themselves to it and can learn it. If America encourages the free play of free minds, through free channels, it will not take long to make a veteran Army, a seasoned Navy.