Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-12-05
Secretary Moody Urges
Changes in His De-
partment.
REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Policy of Steady I'm
proVenent Recon-
nended.

Washington, Dec. 5.-The annual
report of the secretary of the navy
William II. Moody, became public
property today. Chief interest in con
nection with it lies in the recommen-
dation incorporated for the reorgan-
ization of the department through the
formation of a general naval staff. In
this connection the report says:
"As the naval establishment grows
in Importance. and the amount of
public money devoted to its mainte-
nance is increased, its proper admin
istratioG justly becomes an object of
soIicitude. There has been therefore
much discussion concerning the or
ganization of the department. 1t is
asserted by many, both within and
without the naval service, that alter
ations in the organic law governing
the administration of naval affairs
would result in an increased efficiency
and economy.
The spirit of our institutions re-
quires that the military power shall
be and remain in strict subordination
to the civil power. Accordingly, the
secretary of the navy has been, and
will be in the future, civilian with
the consequent inevitable limitations
of knowledge. Although the navy de-
partment is in an important aspect
an industrial establishment in which
ships are built and repaired and arm
ament and equipment manufactured,
it must not be forgotten that the final
,f iSfa - tof
and that all business which is trans
acted therein has for its end the Gre
alton and employment of effective
power upon the sea. 1t is therefore
vitaIly important that there should
be available to the civilian head of the
department the most accurate mill
tary inform alton and the best mill
tary advice. Without both he would
lie sure to commit grave errors, which
might lead to disastrous results.
Military Man at Head.
1T clearly follows, therefore, that
there should be some military man or
men charged with the duty of the col
lection and collation. of information
and the giving of responsible advice
on military affairs. The proposals
for changes may be classified as fol-
lows:
First. Alterations in the organiz-
alton of navy yards which increase
the power and responsibility there
over and for work progressing there
in.
Second The consolidation of the
bureaus in the department
Third. The creation of a general
Il, H., 6
the efficiency of the vessels afioat and
the personnel of the navy, collect and
digest military information upon
which plans Tor active operations may
be formulated, and act as the military
adviser of the secretary, having no
authority except such as may be con-
ferred upon it from time to time by
the secretary. 1t should be under
stood that the department does not
entirely lack the assistance which
would be rendered by general staff.
The war college at Coasters Harbor
island, the intelligence Office, the
board of inspection and survey, and
the bureau of navigation work in in
teIligent cooperation with this gen
eraI board, which was created by my
predecessor as the result of expert
ence in the war with Spain.
at is not my purpose to recon-
mend specifically at this time any of
these proposals, but only to bring
them forward for the earnest discus
sion and consideration which their
Importance deserves. Mere change is
not reform, and none should be at
tempted until it appears clarly that
conditions would be bettered thereby.
/ venture, however, to express the
hope that congress may give to the
whole subject of the organization of
our naval establishment its best
thought and attention. The cost of
our naval establishment. as well as
the Importance of the efficiency of
our navy, would amply warrant all
the study which can be given
Subject of Desertion.
Contrary to the general impression
it is shown that the percentage of
desertions from the navy has not in
creased during the year past. With
21.433 men enlisted, there were 3,037
who left the service clandestinely
during the year. Secretary Moody
saws:
'The maximum percentage of de-
sertions under peace conditions is a