The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-12-07


Washington. Dee. 6.-Necessary to
She efficiency of the American navy in
tie opinion Of Rear Admiral George
a. Converse. chief of the bureau of
navigation as the Introduction into
the navy department Of some military
administrative authority, %. co-ordin-
ate the technical work OF the bureaus.
o. be responsible TO the secretary for
fho organization and preparedness Of
the feet and go advise in al military
1C1iters-tlat As the creation By law
81 a navy general board or stan. This
rronouncement in favor of one gener-
aI stat as based upon Admiral Con-
verses experience Of fortyfour years
tn the service and 40 forms the feature
OF his annual report made public at
tn navy department today. In this.
bis last annual report. as he retires
next May for Age Admiral Converse
discusses naval administration frank
ly and his recommendation gain an
especial importance from the fact that
thcI probably win form the basis Of
Whatever legislation congress may en-
act 90 remedy alleged defects in the
organization ~ the department
Cannot be- ENaded.
Willingly or uuwillinEly." the adj
miral ssrs. "tha nation has assumed
responsibilities. the burden of which
we may not evade We must play the
game. These responsibilities and ex-
pandinE commerce OF increasing vol
une reaching farther and farther from
our shores. our long coasts fronting
two oceans and a great sea. bordered
with numerous wealthy cities each a
center OF ocean born trade. demand
acute national provision, and the earn
est siudF OF possible and probable in
ternationa, situations. The nature of
these clearly indicate the necessity
for a powerful and efficient navy. the
possession OF which Is not the end, but
the means 10 the all desirable end.
their peaceful solution.
lie says the lesson of greatest mo-
ment Tor the navy taught By the Rus
Eo-Japancse war as the Importance
OF the personnel. the use of which
word he applies not only 10 the active
feet. but 10 the department Although
prominence as accorded 70 the general
board in the new navy regulations
recently issued, Admiral Converse as
Ferts that While this IS proper. IL is
nor enough. The boards status and
duties should he thinks. be defined By
law
Keynote Of Emeieney.
Ihe keynote OF an effort in the
raTy should be- efficiency" Admiral
Converse continues. This must start
at the TOP. The chief duty Of thenavy
9r .. r.HH Hrr.f..f..ar.-. af-.--.r my
change but the navys chief object
does not IA fair efficiency can be Gre
eted under almost any form OF organ
iraiion where Efforts are made 20 ad-
minister 81. but common sense dictates
that The highest naval efficiency de-
u0ndel as never before for national
success in war. must come from
lanoNiedee born of study. training and
experience. a knowledge that Is essen
tai 10 intelligent preparation
The Admiral finds that the naval
war college. the ofce OF naval intel
lisence and the general hoard, each
perform thCir respective duties salts
tactCrl'T- But Re SAYS. ~this rs not
administrative work. The deficiency
tn The organization of the department
lies en- the lack of military initiative
and directive force-military admins
trafion under the secretary.
Praciically. the bureau supply IS
only one portion OF the military adj
ministraticn viz. Supervision over
details. because the time OF each bu-
rc1u chief is fully occupied in admin
istering his own bureau The most
Important and necessary part 81 The
military administration of the depart
uent initiative and directive force IS
lost SIGHT of in large degree.
It has become more and more evil
cent as the navy Increases that some
military administrative authority
should be introduced .nto the depart
ment such authority 20 coordinate
ere work of ne technical bureaus, and
he responsible % TIE secretary for the
organization and Preparedness Of the
feet Tor var and 10 advise in an mill-
tary matters ID should De SIS duty
90 initiate the steps necessary TO car
~ out the policy OF the department as
Eccumulated and directed By the secre
tary and under his command 10 direc.
the forces On carrying out that pol
A..