Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-21
BY NAVAL OFFICERS,
A Court Of Inquiry Ordered by Secre-
tary Tracy.

AOoDXAN6 bH NAVAL OEElCEhSs
A Court Of Inquiry Ordered by secre-
tary Tracy.
| HE HOPES TO GET THE INFORMATION NECESSARY
TO ANSWER SENATOR CHANDLxR's RRsoLUrIoN
IN REFERENCE TO NAVAL ORGANIZATIONS NOT
AUTHORIZED BY THE NAVY DEPARTMENT..
Secretary Tracy this morning issued an order
directing the organization of q court of inquiry
consisting of Commodore Jas. E. Greer, as
president. and Chief Engineer Loring, Pay Di-
rector LOCKER and Lieut. Stayton, judge advo-
cate, to meet at the Navy department next
Thursday to make such investigations as will
enable it to furnish the department with infor-
nation relative to organizations among naval
officers, as called for in the resolution of Mr.
Chandler. adopted by the Senate, December
IL. Following is
MR.. CHANDLER's RESOLUTION.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be
directed to inform the Senate whether formal
organizations, not expressly authorized by the
Navy department, exist among naval officers
Tor purposes not merely literary or scientific;
and If so, what are the names and objects, and
who are the officers of such organizations;
whether or not any Of said organizations en-
brace officers of only one branch of the naval
service, and are designed to protect or advance
the special interests of that branch; whether or
not any OF said organizations are formed or are
acting for the purpose of influencing congress
slonal legislation; whether or not by means Of
such organization, or in any manner otherwise,
sums OF money or contracts to pay money to
influence legislation are now being solicited by
naval officers; and if so, to what extent and for
what objects, and also whether or not, in the
opinion OF the Secretary, such organizations are
compatible with the proper discipline of the
naval service"
WHY THE RESOLUTION WAS INTRODUCED.
1t may be recolected that when the Senator
introduced this resolution he explained that he
did SO because he had information that there
existed an organization Of naval officers one of
whom had prepared bill for the ''reorganiza-
ton OF the navy" and who had engaged the
services OF ex-Representative Thomas to urge
the passage of the bill through Congress He
also produced a circular which, he said. had
Deen sent around by hundreds to naval officers
setting forth the advantages of such a move
ment and asking for a contribution Of IS all
around as counsel fees, and giving everybody
to understand that if the bill should become a
law certain proportion of the increase should
be given by each man into the general fund for
the payment of
THE EXPENSES OF LEGISLATION.
The Senator. in his resolution, simply wanted
to know if such organizations were permitted to
Secretary of the Navy without restraint. The
movement was generally taken to be blow at
the line officers of the navy, who are usually held
accountable for any agitation that arises in the
matter of rank and pay.
PAYMAsTER cowIE's LETTER.
The next step was the publication of a letter
from Paymaster Cowie. who was the acknowl-
edged author Of the bill in question, admitting
the facts as stated by Senator Chandler, argu-
ing their propriety and asking for an investi-
CATION into his conduct. This was heartily
applauded by his adherents and the supporters
OF his measure as manly act. and sneered at
by those who didn't like his bill as a piece of
clap-trap that was entirely unnecessary.
MIR. Thomas, meanwhile, was not saying a
word
THE SECRETARY IN SEARCH OF INFORMATION.
Now 1t comes that the Secretary, confronted
by mandatory request from the Senate for
information, is in the position of being asked a
question that he cannot answer from his own
knowledge and SO he adopts the only means in
his power of learning the facts in the case in
order to tell the Senate what it wants to know
lie orders count of officers in whose good
Judgment he can trust, to find out the facts for
MIN and then, when he knows the facts he will
be In a position to answer the last clause of the
resolution whether or not, in the opinion of
the Secretary, such organizations are compati-
Die with the proper discipline of the naval
SERVICE"
1t is, Of course, recognized that in thus asking
the Secretary what he thinks of such organizes
lions among naval officers he expects that his
successor will express himself as opposed to
them as matter of principle. 1t is quite evil
dent that this sentiment is the inspiration in
the Senator's mind of the inquiry.
POWERS OF THE COURT.
The court will have carte blanche to examine
everybody within reach on this subject, and
the investigation is quite likely to be some
what prolonged. The session will be held in
one Of the basement rooms in the Navy DEPART
ment building, where the naval examining
board usually holds forth, and will be open. 1t
Is not thought that the witnesses called to
prove the existence Of organizations-which I'M
doubtedly exist-will make any effort to DENY
the facts. but some attempt may be made to SO
color the evidence as to conceal the real in
tent and purpose Of the bodies that have been
formed.
AN INTERESTING FACT
in connection with this inquiry is the action of
Secretary Tracy in calling a halt OH the move
ment by certain officers who recently issued a
notice of a meeting of all naval officers on duty
In Washington to consider the best methods of
advancing a bill which had been prepared by
Capt. Pythian, the superintendent of the naval
observatory. The Secretary said he thought it
would be very injudcious to allow any such
meetings to be held while the Chandler resolu-
ton was pending and asked the leaders of the
movement kindly to desist.
Brazil Seeking Loan.
mt ea1n - Il