Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-10
SENATOR HA[E'S
NAVAL PERSONNEL BILL
introduced and Explained to Senate
brownson Affair Comes Up---House
Lottery For the New Offices.
NAVY PERSONNEL BILL.

| washington, Jan. 9.-The introduce
ton by Senator Hale today OF his navy
personnel bill provided the occasion for
a somewhat general discussion of the
navy and recent occurrences in con-
nection with that branch of the pub
lie service.
| In presenting the measure the Maine
senator began to explain it's provisions
when he was asked by Mr.. Tilman,
member Of the naval committee. wheth-
\ or the consideration of the bill would
probably bring out the facts relating
to the controversy in the navy depart
ment. Mr.. Tillman added that he con-
sidered the ACCESSIBILITY Of Offering a
resolution for such an investigation.
| Mr.. Hale replied:
1.-The subject in undoubtedly worthy
| of direct attention of Congress but af-
ter looking the matter over as care
| fully as have been able to do, have
selected this method Of action, which
involves the consideration by the SEN
ate instead of submitting the depart
| ment to an investigation
Mr.. Hale then explained the provi-
sions of the bill. The first proposition
he said. was to see that the business
OF the department shall be conducted
as it had been in former times Of great
emergency and great peril to the coun-
try by the bureaus and Offices (not Of
flcers) of the department.
Every accomplishment of the navy"
he said, has been by the action of
these bureaus. It Is only in late years
that boards have been organized. Many
Of them are composed Of officers whom
we can respect; but I have thought
that those boards have created dis
sepsion in the bureaus where the real
work Is done.
II have provided in this bill that I'M
less boards are to carry out sneciac
law they shall not be continued or ap-
pointed in tine future. That I believe
is wise in ORDER that jealousies and
unjust insinuations of bureau officers
Of the navy should at least have no
rallying point in the department it
self. I have been led to do this be-
cause 1 do not know wheh the bureaus
Of the department have hAen filled with
more able and energetic officers than
at the present time. Any cabinet Of
ficer or President may be glad to con-
suit with them"
He said the provision concerning linz
and staff officers and their duties dealt
with a subject which had been a hat
tlAeround for many years. He had
after careful consideration. inserted
the provision that the rank of staff
officers should not carry with it COM
n1ard of any vessel in the navy.
"There are two sides to this Cues-
| +io," the senator said land 7 have
aimnIv incorncrated that provision in
the bill in order that it may he con-
ciderad nv the committee and perhaps
Nv the Senate"
Mr.. Hale said there are now 1164 mid
ship,nen at the Naval Academy and on
practice cruises and that it would in
his Judgment soon he necessary to re-
ceive in the higher ranks Of the navy
only q small portion Of these rnidship-
men. who in number are greater than
the officers Of the navy itself and TO
permit the balance to go into civil life.
Senator Gallinger objected to the
practice Of appropriating $100O0,000 or
SIS. 900, 900 for a naval academy and
then merely giving education to men
who are to enter private life.
Tillman again referred to the Brown
son incident. He referred to magazine
articles criticizing the navy and
charging that naval ships are being
built in a way to "fit them only for
the scrap heap" II ewanted to know
whether the committee would bring
out the facts in respect to those
charges.
"Will it find" he asked. why
Rrownson resigned? The President has
given his version of the controversy.
hut although he is a great stickler for
a square deal. he does not give Admit
raj 3rOwnsons version of 1t. 1 want
to know whether the minority members
Of the committee on naval affairs will
be given an opportunity to have the
facts brought OUT
Hale replied that he hoped there
would be no question of minority or
majority in the committee as 1t had
always acted as one body.
II simply wanted to know" said
TiIlman, whether we would be stopped
from getting witnesses.
Il certainly should hate to be in the
way of the senator when he wants to
call in witnesses" responded Hale,
smiling. II have no doubt that they
will be received"
Foraker said he would like to know
whether the presidents cited In the
Presidents letter should be given the
weight attached to them in that con-
nection.
Senator Hale without definitely adj
hitting that the whole naval contro-
versy should be opened up in the naval
committee consideration of the bill.
gave his belief the probability that
the committee would go to a certain
extent into the subject.
Il realize" he said. that we can
not go through this session without a
pretty general airing of these subjects.
However, the question of just how
far the investigation shall proceed
should be left to the committee"