BAj^QUET. 305 



Here in New York, during the last few years, a tremendous troop transportation task 

 has been accompHshed by the Army. Nearly two millions of men have been received in and 

 sent overseas from this port and returned. With the exception of one marine disaster, for 

 which they were in, no sense responsible, there were no casualties and no serious hitches of 

 any kind. There was also the closest cooperation in every respect with their brothers of the 

 Navy. With great satisfaction, I recently read a beautiful letter written by the naval ofificer 

 in command of transports to the army officer in command of the Port of Embarkation, and 

 an equally appreciative letter from the army officer to the naval officer. It was no small task 

 to get these men overseas under the conditions existing and in the satisfactory way in which 

 it was done. Therefore, I think the Society is to be congratulated in having speak for the 

 Army tonight an officer well known to all of you as Commander of the Port of Embarka- 

 tion at New York, Major General David C. Shanks, U. S. Army. 



