New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-30
NAVAL REORGANIZATION.
PLAN TO INSURE HARMONY BETWEEN
BUREAUS ADOPTED.
SECRETARY LONG APPOINTS A BOARD OF
REAR-ADMIRALS, WITH ASSISTANT SE|-
RETARY ALLEN AS PRESIDENT.


fpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Washington May 2o-A thorough overhaui-
ing Of the system of naval administration. with
the probable result of its radical reorganization
on a business basis, has been under considera-
ton for a number of years, provoking warm
discussions among officers. but never meeting
favor with the high civilian authorities VINO
feared to undertake q task OF such magnitude
An invaluable reform in the supply system
was introduced by Secretary Whitney, ana THIS
was improved by his successors untii 'ha'
bureau secured the distinction OF going through
the war with Spain without evoking an uncom-
pmentary criticism. But the Jealousies OF the
other naval bureaus have recently increased
and Secretary Long has at last adopted plan
which 1t is hoped will result eventually IN "'s-
covering a remedy for this serious condition.
Following his own method which was so sue
cessful. under Assistant Secretary Roosevelt's
guidance OF the details. In harmonizing the line
and staff by the Personnel bill. Secretary Lcng
has delegated to Assistant Secretary Alien the
simpler problem of saving the Navy from a
vicious bureaucracy.
COMPOSITION OF THE NEW BOARD.
TO this end ne has appointed board of which
Assistant Secretary Allen Is president. with the
following rear admirals as members: FREDERICK
Rodpers president of the Board of Inspection;
Charles O'Neil. Chief CT Ordnance: Royal D.
Bradford. Chief of Equipment; Philip Hichnorn'
Chief Constructor: George w. Melville, In
gineer-n- Chief. and NJ +. Endicott. Chief OF
Yards and Docks. with Lieutenant Commander
W. H. H. Switzerland az recorder. The BOARD
which held prelimiG Try meeting to-day Is di-
rected to revise the regulations relating 10 'he
working bureaus Of the Navy, those or oro-
nance Engineering, Construction. Equipment
and Yards and Docks. The regulations uhder
consideration are those defining the duties of
the bureaus the extent Of their authority ahoat
and ashore and giving definition to the limits
of each with view to fixing responsibility ana
preventing duplication Of work. They have
never given satisfaction to any one. Matters
which. in a business corporation. would natu-
rally be placed under the jurisdiction of ship
carpenter have, for various obscure and often
highly involved considerations. been assigned
to a steam-ftter and vice versa. The en-
gineers have protested that the constructors
should be confined to hulls. and constructors IN
turn have looked upon drydocks as tools for the
repair and construction of ships. The civh en-
gineers have always contended that Nary ara
pants under all the bureaus should be under
a single head and operated economically from
a central station.
The steam-engine that drives a dynamo De-
lorgs to one bureau It's foundation to another
the current to another, and II a ventiating ran
is driven by the current 1t belongs to another
A new complication arose when the Personnel
law merged the engineers with the line, as II
was taken for granted that the Engineering Blu
reau would be abolished and its work dis
tributed Progressive bureau chiefs have In
yariably reached out for all there was in sight,
and rivalry was intense among some Of the
bureaus as to which should have the lions
share Of the machinery branch of the Navy.
The Allen Board will have to determine whether
the engineers can be spared and perhaps that
i5 the greatest question it has 10 answer. Inc
Board Will also look into the merits or propo-
stion TO give the constructors control OF all
shcre work leaving the line officers exclusively
for sea duty, and a counter proposition TO con-
fine the constructors sharply to hulls alone
PLACE FOR DEWEY PROPOSED.
The longest heads OF the Navy profess to be-
lieve that permanent Board. somewhat similar
to the British Admiralty will be the outcome of
the investigation
A scheme is already maturing to have Ad-
miral Dewey permanently installed at the head
Of a Board, with two seagoing rear admirals 10
pass upon all matters affecting the fleet. to di-
rect the bureaus in the design, building and re-
pair OF ships. and to control under the Secre-
tary's approval all matters of detail In the
Navy
The Board held only a short session to-day
and adjourned until Friday. when all the bureau
randa OF the changes they desire discussed.