The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-17

Secretary Long desires TO secure the
authority OF Congress for the appoint
ment Of a general inspector Of the Navy.
whose duties will correspond largely 10
those Of the officers OF the Army Inspector
Generals Department and 20 that end has
written a letter to Senator Hale Chair
man Of the Committee on Naval Affairs.
recommending that an amendment be pro-
posed to the Naval Appropriation bill
creating such an officer the incumbent tc
have the rank, pay. and allowance Of a
lieutenant commander.
The Secretary's recommendation is
largely the outgrowth OF the knowledge
that great chances for fraud exist in the
present system Of expanding money for
the naval service under general appropria-
tons. Il is apparent from Secretary
Longs letter that II the amendment IS
Incorporated in the naval bill. a civilian
win be appointed to the place created. as
only a civilian would fulfill the qualifca-
lions set forth in the letter Of a person
who rs free from any obligation to any
part Of the personnel Of the service"
II the Secretary's recommendations are
carried out. selection OF the inspection
NAAAAtl VIII Df restricted 10 a DC IaOn
familiar with the administrative duties
OF the Department The Secretary's let
ter is, in part. as follows
The Department feels the needs OF
permanent officer who is subject to the or
ders OF the Secretary OF the Navy and the
Assistant Secretary OF the navy only who
is free from obligations to any part Of the
personnel of the service and who is famll-
lar with the administrative duties pertain
III
partment. as well as those OF the various
departments OF the navy yards. not a spe-
cialist in the technical duties Of the several
bureaus and yards but one who has spe-
Cial accurate knowledge Of the business
methods Of the Department Of navy yards
boards Of labor. employment boards OF
inspection. Navy accounts generally. etc.
who viii be able with facility 70 investi-
gate thoroughly cases involving waste Of
labor and material violations Of the regu-
lations and orders and defective and neg
lisent methods il charging cost OF labor
and material TO job orders. etc. There are
serious objections to detailing a seagoing
officer for such duty. The custom Of the
service Is against the retention of such an
officer on shore duty for a longer period
than three years and he is trained for
ether work"
With the letter the Secretary trans
mitteu correspondence OF commandments OF
navy yards and other administrative Off
GERS. showing the importance OF a perma-
uent inspector Some OF the bureau Off
cisls of the Navy Department. while ap-
proving the plan Of having inspectors OF
naval accounts, favor the designation OF an
officer from each bureau 10 inspect the
statements OF expenditures OF that bureau.
Secretary Long desires the appointment OF
a general Inspector free from all bureau or
service prejudice OF influence.
II is pointed out that such an officer
must be 10 the permanent establishment.
and not mere civilian employe as the
latter would probably be lenient In report
ing on cases where a stricter course would
cause antagonism TO him personally and
jeopardize his chances Of retaining his po-
sition. Under the general appropriations
money may be expended pretty freely on
projects authorized by the Department. but
the Department has no sure means OF as
certainlng whether the work has been done
economically or cost all that the reports Of
expenditures show. A general inspector
familiar with accounts and cost Of material
and labor, is needed therefore. it is held
TO look after the interests of the Govern
Iuent in such matters