The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-17
4 new OFFICE SUGGdd5oTED
A General Inspector of the Navy
Said TO Be- Needed.
Secretary Long Desires the autho-
rity of Congress for the Appoint
ment Of n Civilian for Important
Duties, Which Are Fully OutIin-
ed In u Letter to senator Hale.

Secretary Long desires to secure the
ment OF a general inspector of the Navy,
whose duties will correspond largely to
those Of the officers OF the Army Inspector
Generals Department, and to 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 FRI I'D exist in the
present system of expanding money for
the naval service under general appropria-
tons. II is apparent from Secretary
Longs letter that If the amendment is
Incorporated in the naval bill, a civilian
will be appointed to the place created, as
only 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"
If the Secretary's recommendations are
carried out, selection of the inspection
officer will be restricted to person
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 famil-
lar with the administrative duties pertain
ing to all bureaus aud Offices OF the De-
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 to investi-
gate thoroughly cases involving waste of
labor and material, violations of the regu-
lations and orders. and defective and neg
ligent methods in charging cost of labor
and material to job orders. etc. There are
serious objections tc 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
other work.
With the letter the Secretary trans
mitted correspondence of commandments of
navy yards and other administrative Off
GERS, showing the Importance OF perma-
nent inspector. Some OF the bureau Off
ciais 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 or influence.
1t is pointed out that such an officer
must be in 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 antagonisn 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
certa'ning 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
Inent in such matters.