The sun., 1908-11-29

imposing and seductive qualities which
may easily affect a comparatively
youna and impressionable functionary.
Mr.. NnwBEHnY came to Washington
with very vague ideas as to the navy,
and among the first officials with vl--n
he entered into contact was Admiral"
CApPs, the Chief Constructor, in
trenched in authority, obsouring the
rest Of the bureau chiefs as an en-
ployer Of labor and dispenser Of pat
ronage and furthermore attractive to
the new Assistant Secretary by reason
of his social prominence and his almost
irresistible address. 1t is quite con-
ceivable that Mr.. NEwBERRY then and
there may have been permanently
fascinated.
At present the world knows very little
about the Hon. TRUMAN H. NEwBERRY.
Until the other day he was a subor-
dinate in the Navy Department 1t is
true that he has had to discharge all
sorts of duties, owing to the various alb
sences Of his chief. He has been in su-
preme authority some OF the time and
in quasi authority the rest of the time,
but it is difficult II not impossible, and
for obvious reasons, to identify him
with any explicit policy of serious con-
sequence. 1t is true that for some time
past he has had at his elbow line officer
of notable efficiency, but nobody can be
sure as regards the special purpose for
which he has employed that adviser,
and we have nothing but conjecture to
aid us in the premises. THE Suns
hypothetical postulate, therefore, that
he may devote himself to a reorganiza-
ton of the administrative machinery OF
tho navy, has as yet no more than basis
of guesswork. We proposed it as the
most logical assumption in the case Of
gentleman who really wishes to benefit
and uplft the service. Nothing more!
1t was not generosity" it was plain
common sense that inspired the hope.
We pretend to no insight into Mr.. NEW
BERRY's intentions. Enough for lis to
indicate the direction in which his OPP
portunity lies.
The insistence of certain persons
upon a scheme to exalt the personnel
may be suggestive. On every hand
there is voluminous talk about the
necessity of opening the channels Of
promotion and sending "the young
men, to the front. THEODORE RoosE-
WELT prates of nervous persons at
the helm-old age being always the
objection leaves in our minds the
impression that the only real test of
efficiency is youth. FARRAGUT was past
sixty when he assembled the Mississippi
River in 1852 and captured New Orleans.
DUPONT, FooTE and DAHLGREN were
over fifty-five when they achieved dis
tinction. But why thresh out the Argyll
ment? The present case is different,
and we may assert with reasonable
confidence that the initial and in fact
the indispensable preliminary overture
to any plan Of serious and permanent
betterment of the service is thorough
and complete reorganization. Of what
use to bring young men to the front if
the system" is to be perpetuatsd?
Mr.. NEwBERRY will take control
in day or two. Then and not until
then shall we know whether he intends
the emancipation and the exaltation
of the navy or is still under the potent
spell of the Admiral. In another col
umn we print an estimate of him which
all well wishers to the navy will hope
to see confirmed by his official course.
In no other department is there better
chance for capable head.