The sun., 1895-01-13
NATr BUREAU WoRK.
More Changes Unaer Corsiser.t,ou-The
Practice II Enronenn NsrNiees.

ENnrNce - EuFoENhn BNFVNNNs
wAsHINoToN. Jan. 12.-secretary Herbert IL
20 we'll satisfied with his General Order No. 433,
issued last October, which puts upon the Bureau
Of Construction the responsibility for the design
structural strength, and stability Of vessels built
for the navy, that he contemplates extending
It's operation. The designing OF turrets, electrl-
cal apparatus, and machinery outside of what
directly falls within the province Of the Bureau
OF Steam Engineering may be assigned TO the
Construction Bureau.
The ideal division OF bureau responsibilities
and duties seems 10 be into three classes,
namely, tho personnel, supplies and accounts.
and construction and repair. In practice this
smplifcatlon is not carried out, and sundry
things do not SO classify themselves. Thus,
medicine and surgery. though undoubtedly re-
lating to the personnel, demands bureau OF It's
own. Again, the subject of yards and docks,
though relating to the material Of the navy, is
yet sufficiently different from that OF construct
ing ships TO require u bureau. And even in ship
building itself tho designing and managing OF
steam engines is so different from tho designing
Of hulls that two different bureaus are engaged
In the two classes OF work. while third, the
Bureau of Equipment is also found necessary.
In addition to these the construction and
mounting Of guns are 80 distinct a branch in
the general system TO call for n separate
bureau, that of Ordnance.
At one time Secretary whitney sought to
group the work of the navy under the three
heads already spoken OF, personnel, accounts.
and material, but Congress saw 30 many DIM
culties in the way that 1t did not sanction the
plan. Secretary Herbert however, in his last
report, says that the scheme not only secured
the favor of the Naval Committee. but of ma
jorty of tho House, the opposition simply pre-
venting 1t from reaching a vote. But Secretary
haa,n tha, ipIt lion ab h,, irt,,o 80
his administrative authority, and Secretary
Tracy carried 1t on fully that under the latter
the personnel was practically put under the
complete charge OF the Bureau OF Navigation,
and purchases and accounts under the new Bu-
reau Of Supplies and Accounts. which is the sue
cessor Of the old Bureau Of Provisions and
Clothing.
Secretary Herbert has been able to add little
TO this work of concentrating accounts In me
bureau, but his main thought is evider tly di-
rected to the unihcation of the thra class Of
subjects, those relating to ship construction.
He would like to bring hull, machinery. armor,
armament. and electrical apparatus all under
varied and specialized, there must be separate
chiefs Of divisions Thus practically we should
tenn. but with the advantage OF securing the har-
monious cooperation OF the division chiefs un-
der one head. With much good sense, Mr.. Her:
bert says that whether we call them chiefs Of
bureau or chiefs Of division is OF minor impor-
tance II they only work harmoniously on busi-
In thinking over the matter. he found that
while the Bureau of Steam Engineering had full
the motive power, and the Bureau of Ordnance
Of the essential task implied In its name. yet
that each was necessarily special, whereas the
general I function in considering the ship as a
WHOLE This fact ct WAS the basis Of his m order al.
from the original designs Of ship are only to
be made after the approval by the Navy Depart
nf
tho Bureau of Construction and Repair, which
bureau IS TO comment on the propositions in
1t is proposed further to increase the duties OF
the Construction Bureau In the original plan
ming OF parts of the vessel.
1t may become question whether q still
further change might not be made in depart
n;ent n. organitz,athion; Lieut. Gow.ll, in series
ligence, shows that there is II general set of d.
visions common to the navy departments of tho
in-chief, under the sovereign or other supreme
executive, exists in Austria. France. Germany,
sonnel, or, Ms 1T is called, the military part of
the navy, is under one head: except where tho
two Everyhng related to oh the sen material %so
under one. or. in some instances two heads.
The administrative work is usually under the
political representative of the executive power,
corresponding to our Secretary of the Navy.
In Austria. as Lieut.. Colwell proceeds to say,
Is in one division under II Captain; all connected
with the material IN second division. also
for general staff work under another officer of
high rank The technical committee is advisory
to the Commander inc thief.
In England the three Sea Lords OF the Ad-
miralty. who are Admiras Captains, have
charge of the organization and ira lining OF the
navy and its preparation for and use In war
The supplyin of this military organization with
ships and their weapons and machinery is under
another Admiral or Captain. The shore estab.
lishmcnt and civil personnel are under q civil
Lord Of the Admiralty;
In France the chief of the general staff. who
In practically Commander in thef of the navy
controls the whole organi ization. His own
specially is general staff work. or organizing or
preparing for war Another Admiral has charge
Of the personnel. its pay. supply, and education.
The Director of Construction controls ali con-
struction work on ships. engines, buildings, and
harbors; The ordnance work is under a general
and estimates under tho chief commissary.
There are various Advisory Boards of high
of the general staff Is in effect the executive
officer.
In Germany the military work of the navy is
minstrative work under the Secretary OF tho
Navy he Emperor, through his naval staff,
responsibilities. In Italy tho administrative
work and general staff are under the Assistant
Secretary, and the military work. except the
France, the material is divided into two sec
tons, one including ships and engines. and the
Finally in Russia all military work is under the
chief of the general staff, and material and sup
ply under another Admiral, while two advisory
committees are charged with technical investi-
CATION and scientific work.
II will be observed that our system does not
follow any OF these, and there. is no present
likelihood of its doing There is no officer in
our navy corresponding In functions to the
Major-Gencral commanding the army. but the
some respects, the eAdjutant-General. However,
the present move Of Secretary Herbert, as has
but with the question OF unity and efficiency in
construction.