Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-29
AGAIN AT HIS DESK
RETURN OF SECRETARY NORTON
AFTER THREE WEEKS ABSENCE
Several Important Questions in Naval
Administration That Must
Soon Be Decided.

Secretary Morton arrived in this city this
morning, after a visit Of three weeks to
Chicago and Denver on private business,
and at once entered actively upon the dis
charge of the duties Of his new Office. He
spent the forenoon In close consultation
with Assistant Secretary Darling. who was
in charge Of naval affairs during his alb
sence. and also conferred with several bu-
reau chiefs In regard to the more impor-
tant questions pending in their respective
bureaus. He was therefore we'll prepared
to report on the status of all important
naval questions to the President at today's
meeting Of the cabinet.
Secretary Morton has taken temporary
quarters at the New Willard, and expects
to be joined there in q few days by Mrs
Morton and other members Of his family
Unless present plans are changed, Secre-
tary Morton will make a cruise on the dis
patch boat Dolp hin early next month for
the purpose of visiting the navy yards and
stations along the north Atlantic coast, IN.
Guiding those at Norfolk, New York, New
London, Newport, Boston and Portsmouth,
N. H. Attorney General Moody and others
will probably be his guests on this inspec-
ton and cruise
Chief of Navigation Bureau.
One Of the most important questions to
be determined by Secretary Morton is the
selection of a successor to Rear Admiral
Henry c. Taylor, as chief of the bureau OF
navigation. In view Of the Importance Of
the Office and the pressing character of its
work it Is essential that the existing va
cancy shall be filed with as little delay as
possible. 1t so happens that Capt. John e.
Pillsbury, assistant chief of the bureau, Is
abroad just at present, having started on
his vacation day or two before the unex-
pected death of Admiral Taylor.
Capt. William Swift, a member Of the
general board, has been in charge Of the
affairs of the bureau since the departure
of Capt Pillsbury and he will continue to
serve in that capacity until permanent
appointment is made.
Admiral Bankers Successor.
An arrangement had been made by which
Rear Admiral Taylor was to have been re-
lieved of duty as chief Of the bureau early
next spring and placed In command Of the
North Atlantic fleet as the relief of Rear
Admiral Albert S. Barker, whose tour Of
sea service will expire about that time.
While the death of Admiral Taylor will
not change the original plan of detaching
Rear Admiral Barker from command of
the fleet in the spring it will, of course.
but necesstate the selection of another Of
fcer to succeed him. Because of this ar
rangement there has been already consider
able speculation as to the next chief of
the bureau of navigation and the names
most prominently mentioned as likely of
selection were those of Rear Admiral Bar
ker, Rear Admiral r. d. Evans, chairman
Of the lighthouse board, and Capt. Pills
bury, assistant chief of the bureau. How
the chances of these officers have been af-
fected by the sudden demise of Admiral
Taylor can only be conjectured by those
most intimately connected with the naval
administration. No surprise will be felt
in naval circles if Secretary Morton shall
select as chief of the navigation bureau
some officer whose name has not yet been
mentioned in that connection.