New-York tribune., 1909-02-15
SENATE DEBATE
TO YIELD SURPRISES
LEGISLATORS LE4RN IN
TERESTING FACTS.
Erecutiue Commission COnsidering g
NauaI Reorganization Said to
Hare Com pleted It's Plans.


,1ssbinFton Feb. I4-Some surprising and
,-+sresting facts IN connection with the re-
organization OF the Navy Department. the pur-
osss and aims OF the executive commission
-ov considering the subject and the detail Of
an the marines TO shore duty will be brought to
gsb. in the debate on the naval appropriation
bu which begins in the Senate tomorrow. Ger
tsin Senator's have been investigating this sub
,sct with a view 10 preparing themselves for
,be debate and have ascerJained facts which
they believe they can use with telling effect.
That the policy OF conining the marines to
.be-e DUTY did not originate with the President
,bst ft was first recommended by Admiral Con-
verse as long ago as 1906 his recommendation
hsinr the outcome Of q controversy which for
t1-enty years had preceded it; that ii is sup
norted not only by Admiral Evans and all the
seef commanders. and that the step was taken
rursuant 10 the recommendation Of Admiral
pflsbury made TO Secretary Metcalf and by
rim referred TO the President for his approval.
are facts which Will occasion surprise TO many
senator's who have supposed that the idea orig
mated with the President and that naval Off
GERS have acquiesced in, rather than promoted.
the policy.
Senator's will also learn that the executive
oommission recently appointed has practically
completed its plans along lines which win prob
abay commend themselves to most OF the men,
he-s o Congress business
have enjoyed extensive business experience It
viii also prove surprise to all but those Sena-
tors who have taken the pains to Investigate
the subject 10 find that the President has had
no purpose in appointing this commission of
forcing his ideas Congress the next
administration. but that instead he expects only
that the plan formulated viii prove so obviously
beneficial that IL viii commend itself to what
ever commission Congress may appoint to con-
Eider this important subject.
LESS OPPOSITION EXPECTED.
Ii is believed that when Senators understand
the antecedents Of the marine order and the
purposes Of The executive commission there will
be far. less opposition TO both than has existed
and it is regarded by those who have investi-
gated these subjects as probable that the clause
IN the naval bill which would compel the reten-
ton Of the marines on shipboard will be stricken
out but Il seems entirely likely that the pro-
visien for commission. to be composed of six
members Of Congress and six executive -ap-
pointees viii be retained. The friends of the
navy say that the recommendations of the Pres
.i5euts commission are so clearly for the bet
terInsnt Of the navy that they believe it is re-
posing none too much faith in such commits
sion 10 trust 10 its being soon convinced of the
expediency and the necessity OF such a reorgan-
ization
While the Presidents commission has not
completed its work, il will hold its next formal
meeting next Friday. whea il hopes TO finish its
hhors and present its findings 10 the President
in formal report. In advance Of definite ac-
ton. the members of the commission have been
somewhat loath TO disclose their plans. but
Senator's who have undertaken to oppose the
marine policy of the Senate Naval Committee
and 10 consider carefully the proposed semi
Congressional commission have insisted on
knowing something OF the plans Of the commits
sion ana the facts submitted to them may be
summarized as follows:
The commission, which. il viii be recalled, Is
composed Of eight members including two for
mer Secretaries Of the Navy former chairman
Of the House Naval Committee and five rear ad-
snrals only one Of whom is on the active list,
began its work with a complete appreciation Of
the existing heterogeneous character Of the naval
organization and lively appreciation of the
fact that perfection of training Of the personnel
and perfectng OF the organization Of the navy
not only the most important factors in the
efficiency OF this branch Of the military estab-
Hshment but that they are the only factors
which cost nothing. The material portion or
the navy, tC speak. costs the country Sf3o'-
10000 year. and yet this great investment
would be useless in emergency were the or
gsnization Of the Navy Department or the train
ing OF the personnel seriously defective. No one
knows better than those who have served as
Secretary OF the Navy the obstacles to efficient
administration presented by the present system
o. eight separate and independent bureaus, with
no head except the Secretary of the Navy.
civilian who cannot possess the necessary tech
ncal knowledge TO enable him to pass inteli-
gently on the conflicting claims of the various
bureau chiefs
COUNCIL TO THE SECRETARY.
asslzsng these conditions. the commission de-
t-rnined that the first necessity was an inter
mediate body between the Secretary Of the Navy
and the several bureau chiefs which should act
as a sort Of cabinet or council TO the Secretary
While desirouE of preserving all that Is good IN
The present organization. and of changing it as
httle as possible. the commission concluded that
TIE highest degree of efficiency demanded the
assembling Of the several correlated bureaus
Under single heads. and the result has BEEN In
50 far as Il can now be outlined, recommenda-
uon that there be established several compre-
hensive Offices" each probably presided over by
: Tag officer, such as. for instance, one dealing
with the feet and personnel, one dealing with
alerations. another dealing with ships and ma
teials. another conducting all inspections. for
Instance and possibly still another TO be com
posed Of admrals who by their experience in
actual squadron or feet commandership are
qualified to give expert advice to the Secretary
q the Navy and the several chiefs Of office
Under each Of these Offices would be assem-
olec the several naturally related bureaus. while
Tie chiefs Of the several offices, all of whom
would doubtless be flag officers. would consti-
s1te advisory council to the Secretary OF the
Navy OF course, the plan outlined is merely
tentative. but even in iss formative condition il
appeals strongly TO those Senators 40 whom it
hss been submitted.