New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-17
MR.. ROOSETELTS DUTIES DEFINED
srcprTARY LONG ISSUES AN ORDER WHICH is
THOUGHT TO ABRIDGE HIS As
crcTAN-S POWERS

THOUGHT TO ABRIDGE HIS AS
e1sTANTs POWERS.
uosb,nqton Aprn ls (speciaD.-An order has
been issued by the Secretary Of the Navy wnich
briefly defines the duties OF Assistant secretary
Roosevelt Under regulations heretofore In force'
the Assistant Secretary was charged by haVal reg
uIat,ors with the exercise OF general supervision
over tho bureaus OF the Navy Department and
those branches OF the establishment coming under
tbem In addition he to perform such
specinc duties as might be prescribed by the Secre-
tarv OF the Navy or required by law Ihe new
order omits mention OF a general supervision over
the bureaus and branches OF the Navy Department
acting Hereunder To be more precise. II reads as
follows:
The Assistant Secretary will perform such duties
as may be prescribed by the Secretary or required
he law an orders issued by the Assistant Secre-
tarv In the discharge Of his duties will be consd-
cred as orders OF the Secretary Of the Navy and
viii he obcyed and respected accordingly.
In the opinion OF number OF naval officers the
now order materially abridges tho authority OF the
Assistant Secretary 1t does authorize him
to exercise control over bureaus. They say that
berea fter when the Secretary OF tho Navy is at the
no right OF command over bureau chiefs and the
labor which they supervise: OF course. in the alb
scicc of the Secretary. the Assistant Secretary
will have full power over all naval matters. Wheth-
or this IS the idea Of Secretary Long cannot be
authoritaively stated. The Secretary has not con
strued tho meaning OF the new regulation. An
official the Navy Department Is authority for
statement that secretary Long proposes to give
tho Assistant Secretary numerous and important
duties but that these duties shall be performed
under his own general direction That H. the As
sistant Secretary is to have authority independ-
eni of the Secretary. This rule Is proper neces
sarv I'm fact In the military and naval establish
mens in which there can be but one chief TO direct
affairs. -
Among the duties which will be assigned Mr.
Roosevelt will be those relating to the employment
and discharge Of the civil force at naval stations
Secretary Long is of the opinion that this question
should receive careful attention and that strict
orders should be drawn up and mpartally and rig
idlv enforced. Promptly upon his assuming Office
Mr. Roosevelt will be instructed TO institute
inquiry into the management of civil affairs at
naval stations Complaints have reached Secretary
Long that favortism is being shown at Navy yards
in employing and dschargng laborers Mr. Roose-
welt will make investigation into the matter
and report the Secretary OF the Navy|aSLfo the
facts 1t is understood that another dutt tO IN in
trusted 10 the Assistant Secretary will be MAT re-
lating to repairs of all naval vessels at~hvme and
abroad The affairs Of the Marine CorBs will come
under Mr.. RoOsevelts attention. so Will naval
militia affairs. 1t is understood that when the
new Assistant Secretary assumes his duties on
Monday Secretary Long Will designate what mat
ters he Is 10 take charge Of at once. From time
10 time additional orders will be issued on the same
subject. one thing can be said positively that is
that Mr.. Long has high regard for Mr. Roosevelt
and favored his appointment.