New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-22
LOOK INTO THE M VAL LOBBY.
SECRETARY TRACY APPOINTING A COURT
OF INQUIRY
SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION, WHICH Is THE
RESULT OF SENATOR CHAMBERS
fBY TELEGRAPH TO The TkTBUSE.i

fBY TELEGRAPH TO The TkIBUSE.i
Washington. Jan. 2l.-The resolution ohereo Dy
senator Chandler lest Monday. calling for an invest
cation by secretary Tracy OF the so-calied Naval
lobby has not been allowed TO drop out OF sight al te
Navy Department and to-day an order was issued for
the organization OF court OF inquiry TO consist OF inc
following officers Commodore James E. Greer, Chlei
Engineer Lorng, Pay Director LOCKER and Lieutenant
SaytOn. Commodore Greer will be president OF the
court, and Lieutenant stayton Judge advocate. The
Investigation will begin Thursday, and an effort VIII
be made to obtain full information about all the aegeu
organizations among Naval officers for purposes nos
merely literary scientific. Senator Chambers
resolution was offered December II, and was In full
as follows
Resolved That tho Secretary Of the Navy be directed
TO inform the whether formal organizations not
expressly authorized by the Navy Department exist among
Naval officers for purposes not merely literary or scien
tinc and what the nature and objects and VINO
are the officers such organizations whether not
said organizations embrace officers OF only one branch Of
the Naval service and are designed protect or advance
special interests OF that branch whether or not am
OF said organizations formed or are acting Tor The
purpose OF influencing Congressional legislation whether
not ~ means Of such organization or in any manner
otherwise, OF money contracts TO pay money 70
influence legislation now being solicited by Naval
officers and, So TO what extent and for what objects,
and also whether not the opinion Of the Secretary
organizations compatible with the proper disc-
pllne " the Naval service.
In the discussion which followed 10 was charged
by senator Chandler that organized effort was
being made to increase the pay Of all Naval grades
and that Representative John r. Thomas and Others
had sent circulars to Navy officers generally asking
for subscriptions to help secure the necessary ieglS
ation. Mr. Thomas also proposed TO tax each oficer
certain per cent Of the Increase in pay, in case the
bill he his friends had drawn got through Such
methods Of procuring legislation Senator Chandler
argued demoralizing To the service, and the
secretary asked look into the whole matter OF
promotion" practised by the Naval officers who
had combined to get increase Of pay. and their
legal representatives.
The secretary has evidently decided that he cannot
answer the questions put BY Mr.. Chandler with suf
nclcnt fulncss out Of his knowledge. He has
therefore ordered Court Of Inquiry. whose judgment
he can trust. and whom he may safely put the
task of deciding whether such organizations for lobby
ing purposes are, not compatible with the
proper discipline of the Naval service
The court Will examine everybody within reach on
this subject and the investigation is likely 10 be
prolonged one The sessions will be held in one OF
the basement rooms in the Navy Department build
ing. where the Naval Examining. Board usually
SITS and will be open. 1t is not
thought that the witnesses called to prove the
existence Of organizatons-whch undoubtedly exist
will make any effort to deny the facts, but some
attempt may be made to color the evidence as to
conceal the real intent and purpose OF the podles
that have been formed. go 49,
is the action Of secretary Tracy in calling a halt on
the movement by certain officers who recently Issued
a notice Of meeting Of All Naval Officers on duty IN
Washington to consider the best methods OF adVanc
ing bill which had been prepared by captain
Pyth.an the superintendent Of The Naval Observatory
The secretary said he thought II would be iniudcous
10 allow any such meetings 10 be held while the
Chandler resolution pending and asked the lead
ers Of the movement To de>st.