New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-28
WAR DEPARTMENT REFORM.
THE SECRETARY APPARENTLY CHANG
ING HIS POLICY.
EXERCISING AUTHORITY OVER BUREAU
CHIEFS-NO MORE COLOSSAL BLUM
DERs" LIKELY TO BE PERPETRATED.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNE.l

iDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Washington, May 27.-There have been
number of signs recently OF change Of policy
on the part of the Secretary Of War in dealing
with the military heads Of the staff depart
ments. Much favorable comment Is heard on
the order Of last week for thorough test Of
the condensed preparation known the "emer-
gency ration" for troops in the field, especially
In tropical climates A board OF commissary
officers had previously reported adversely on
the merits and availability of the food mixture.
holding that there was no call for its ntroduc-
tion into the Army ration. But the preparation
afterward tried by officers and men in the
field, who not only liked but thrived on the
stuff This irregular test seemed TO dscredit
the previous bureau boards report and now
the Secretary OF War has ordered the purchase
Of several thousand emergency rations for trial
in the Philippines
This measure is regarded as great improve
ment the Eagan methods heretofore In vogue
in the Commissary Department under which oc-
Cured the Colossal blunder' Of purchasing
some seven million pounds of canned beef as an
experiment before its merits at all known
to the Army. II is taken to indicate that two
things have occurred-irst, that hereafter no
large purchases of merely experimental line
Of supplies Of any kind to be made without
at least some knowledge OF their adaptability
to the service; and second. that the head of the
War Department, stung by public criticisms of
his impotency in the hands of the bureau chiefs
has at last determined to exercise his authority
despite their decisions"
THE sECRETARY's CABINET.
few weeks ago. when the press outcry
against bureaucracy and its methods lOud-
est. the Secretary Of War issued an order that
there should hereafter be a stated meeting Of
the eleven military chiefs of bureaus once each
week in the Secretary's office, for general con-
ference on the state Of affairs in their branches
OF the service. At these meetings suggestions
were to be received a mutual comparison Of
notes was to be made. and general under
standing of affairs had to be followed up by
the necessary orders Of the Secretary. In short,
the plan contemplated a sort of Cabinet mode
of procedure at these weekly meetings, the Sec
retary Of War presiding which would bring the
bureau chiefs into closer touch with the head of
the Department and keep him more fully in
formed of what was going on around him.
The proposed innovation was not satisfactory
to the bureeu chiefs, its tendency being to bring
the operations of each too much into daylight.
too much under the observation of the other
bureaus. They are Jealous Of their preroga-
tives, and particularly jealous Of each other.
Each one knows that he can more successfully
deal with the Secretary alone concerning mat
ters in his own bureau than in general meet
ing in the presence Of all the chiefs. Whether
any Of these meetings have been held is not
known. There was, at any rate no enthusiasm
over the order in any Of the bureaus; on the
contrary. 1t was sneered at privately by several
of the great chiefs. One Of them remarked
that 1T will not last long; know how TO run
my own department without the help or sugges-
lions Of any Of the others"
Nevertheless the order was looked upon as a
step in the right directon-one which would
conduce to the advantage Of War Department
bureau work The Secretarys most bitter critics
admitted that 1t was evidence of desire on his
part at least to curb the power Of the bureaus
and bring things back once again to their normal
condition. Under such a system of manage
ment no matter who was Secretary OF war. II
would have been almost impossible for Eagan
to have bought seven million pounds OF worth
less beef without the knowledge or connivance
Of his superior.