Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-06-28
The Secretary of the Navy Proposes som,
Radical Changes

Radical Changes.
WASHINGTON. June 27th.-Ry sweeping
general order issued to-day Secretary Tracy
directed the entire reorganization of the
business methods of the Navy Department.
Up to this time new equipments and new
duties are constantly arising from the con-
ditions of the change incident to the re-
placement of the old wooden vessels with
new ships and modern guns They have
been assigned here and there to several
bureaus OF the Department, often with no
better reason than the convenience of the
moment. The result has been confusion
and eNaggeration of tle defects of the
bureau system. Duties which have no
connection have been placed together and
those naturally associated have been di-
v0rced. Secretary Whitney realized the
evils Of the system and made an effort 20
change them, but was Obliged from the
magnitude OF the task and the paramount
importance of concentrating his energies
upon the procurement of new ships and
guns to abandon the task. Secretary
Tracy, however, now says the time is ripe
for further change and has accordingly
issued new order.
1t enlarges the duties of some of the
bureaus, notably those OF the Bureau of
Equipment, to which is assigned nearly
all the duties of supply heretofore be-
longing to the Bureau of Navigation, and
the control OF the photographic and COM
pass officers and naval observatory To
the Constructing. Manufacturing and Pur-
chasing Bureaus are assigned other duties,
grouping them Systematically and appro-
priately. Each bureau exercises control of
its shops of labor, superintendent, reoui-
sition, accounts and appropriations.
The limits of authority are well defined.
The Bureau OF Navigation loses its duties
OF supply and control over several important
offices, and becomes, under the immediate
direction of the Secretary, an executive
section tor military matters, and is charged
with the training, discipline and control of
the personnel of the fleet.
Finally the chiefs of the bureaus of
yards and decks, equipment, ordnance,
construction and repairs and steam engin-
eering, ex Otficio constitute a board for the
design and construction and equipment of
new ships.
Practically, one effect of the order will be
to make the Bureau of Navigation CORE
spond to the Adjutant Generals office in
the War Department in control of the
entire personnel of the organization
The terms of the order are as follows
The duties OF the Bureau of Navigation
shall comprise all that relates to the pro-
mitigation and enforcement of the Sec
retary's orders to the fleet and to the Off
GERS of the navy, to the education of the
officers and men and including the Naval
Academy and technical schools for the
officers Except torpedo schools), apprentice
establishment and schools for the technical
education of enlisted men, the enlistment
and discharge of all enlisted persons, in
cluding the appointed petty officers for the
general and special service, and prepara-
ton of the estimates for pay of all officers
and enlisted men.
1t shall have under its sole control all
the rendezvous and receiving ships, and it
shall provide transportation for enlisted
persons and appointed petty officers. 1t
shall establish the complement of the crews
of all vessels in commission. 1t shall keep
records of the service of all sQuadrons
ship officers and men, and prepare the an
nual naval register for publication. 1t shall
have under its direction an office of naval
intelligence and attaches abroad, depart
ment library, libraries for ships and war
record office. 1t shall be charged with the
enforcement of the laws and authorized
regulations, tactics, signal codes, and the
manuals of service, and the keeping of the
same correct to date.
All questions with regard to discipline,
changes of regulations, tactics and manuals
shall be submitted TO this Bureau for ac-
ton and recommendation. 1t shall pre-
scribe the dress of all officers and men and
see that the regulations in this respect are
strictly enforced. 1t shall receive and
bring to the attention of the Secretary of
the Navy all applications from officers for
service or change of service. 1t shall re-
ceive all the reports of service performed
by vessels, officers or men, of all inspec-
tions OF the same, not of special nature,
and of all drills and exercises.
In order to prevent the issuing of con-
t1icting instructions, all of the official COM
municatiOns to vessels in commission shall
be first submitted to the Secretary of the
Navy and forwarded through this Bureau.
To the Bureau of Yards and Docks is
assigned all that relates to the construction
and maintenance of docks, ships and
buildings within the navy yards, the Naval
Home and generally about the same du-
ties 1t now discharges.
The Bureau of Equipment and Recruit
ing loses the apprentice system and the
recruiting of men, but gains the National
Observatory, Nautical Almanac, the hydro
graphic and compass offices and the elec-
tric light system.
In the case of the remaining bureaus it
is noticeable that all of them are to have
exclusive jurisdiction over the buildings
and plants assigned to their use in the navy
yards, after they have been constructed by
the Bureau of Yards and Docks.
All OF the bureaus are empowered to
purchase such stores, tools, plant and ma
terial as they may need.