New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-15
SECRETARY TR4CY,S WORK.

SECRETARY TR4CI'S WORK.
A moa satisfactory feature of Secretary
Tlacv'S administration Of the Navy Depart
ment is the employment Of the best talent in
the service in the conduct Of various investiga-
tionS. Leaving the bureaus to carry on their
routine duties he has organized a large num-
Der Of boards for reporting on important mat
ters connected with the Development, reOr-
ganzation and improvement Of the navy.
Many of these boards have advisory functions,
it being their responsible duty to outline the
future policy of the Department. The Secre-
tary acts upon the theory that the line and
staff have been educated and are employed at
heavy expense to the country, and that it is
the privilege Of the Department to regard them
as accomplished experts, whose opinions and
advice on all technical questions relating to the
service should be decisive. He is making the
largest possible use Of their experience, educa-
ton and interest in the welfare of the service.
For example, Secretary Tracy has virtually
revived the functions Of the Advisory Board,
which planned the four Roach cruisers and
subsequently fell under the ban Of his prede
cessol's disapproyal. Ii is the duty Of a board
of line officers headed by Commodore McCann
the new fleet and 10 furnish information and
recommendations Oh which the Administra-
tons shipbulding policy can be grounded.
The Department has been constructing steel
cruisers designed TO be Of high speed and en-
CINE power, and has made feeble and not
very promising beginning with battle-shipS.
What classes and types Of vessels does the
service require most urgently? To what en-
tent shall the construction Of fast cruisers be
carried? How many cOaSt-defence and battle
ships are needed? What measures are to be
taken 10 secure a torpedo hOtilla of the greatest
efficiency? What methods shall be employed
to obtain a symmetrical development Of the
naval resources Of the country These are
questions Of the highest importance, and a
representative board Of officers has been com
missoned to report upon them in order that
the Department and Congress may have the
benefit Of expert advice in continuing the pro-
cess of restoring American naval prestige.
Another board recruited from the line and
staff is obtaining the precise results Of the
shpbuiding tina; has been completed since
1882 The speed aud horsepower OF the new
ships is officially tested, and the facility with
which they can be handled and the effective
ness Of their ornaments are practically demon
Strated. The results when impartaly ascer-
tanned will be Of the highest utility in deter
mining in future the choice Of types aud the
designing Of machinery. In like manner other
boards are following special lines of inyesti-
cation. One is considering the adaptation Of
the present system Of naval tactics to improved
methods Of modern warfare: another is dis
cussing the eXpediency Of converting revenue
cutters and coast survey ships into auxiliary
vessels of war; two boards are Stigating
the details of an improved system of navy
yards; another is preparing new code Of
official correspondence; and other boards are
employed in devising other schemes for pro-
noting the efficiency of other branches of the
Departments work
These manifold investigations. while escap-
ing public observation in large part, are hay
ing an invigOrating and salutary effect upon
the officers of the navy. Less complaint is
made of the supremacy of the Bureau Of Nayi-
CATION WREN the services of so many repre-
sentatiyeS of line and staff are actively en-
ployed in responsible duty Of an advisory
nature. Professional jealousies are disappear
ing. A more cordial spirit of cooperation is
Springing up among various branches Of the
service. To this general tonic effect is added
an accumulation OF practical information which
will be Of the higheS; value in determining
| questions Of future policy and improved ad-
ministration. Secretary Tracy is not Dragging
about his work in the department. and he has
no partisan claque in the press vociferously
applauding the progress Of his administration ::
but he is demonstrating in a practical way
his ofidial capacity and his superior quaIifca-
tons as an efficient and systematic reformer.
The best possible results may be confidently
predicted from the continuance of his admin
iStlatiCn. lie has risen above the temptations
Of partiSanship. The operations of the De-
partment are conducted on the basis Of fair
dealing No attempt is made to discriminate
against contractors or officers for political ef-
feet. Men and ships stand on their merits. and
the welfare Of the navy As q whole is the one
dominating interest
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PRESERJE THE FORESTS