New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-01
NEW RULES In NAVY
EFFECT OF CHANGES.
Most Officers Approve Secre-
try Meyers Reforms.

From The Tribune BursagI
Washington. Nov. p-Ths details or the
naval administration Improvement are
further revealed IN the changes announced
to-day in regulations These regulations
go into force Tomorrow and relate mainly
to two chapters of the existing regulations
which are practically rewritten As soon
as practicable order reconcilins the
remainder OF the regulations with the new
material will be issued, but meanwhile IL
airy discrepancies occur between the new
order and the rest Of the book the order
will govern.
II is observed thar In the redistribution
OF work at navy yards the bulk OF en-
ployment OF labor and operation Of plant
Will be in the machinery division This re-
duces the amount OF work under the naval
constructors at the yards 10 about one
third OF the navy yard activity. ~ ma
terially diminishes the Importance or tne
Bureau Of Construction and Repair. ana IL
Is believed by naval constructors 10 De
step toward the subordination of DEPART
mental bureaus by law.
Some criticism OF the new system ap-
peared to-day such as the assertion that
the creation OF four principal aids Tor
operations, personnel material and tnspec-
ton means the establishment Of General
Stan against which there Is much preju-
dice In the Navy Department IL Is also
asserted that this action practically creates
four assistant secretaries IN addition 20 the
civilian Assistant Secretary, the RESPONSE
biIities and authC rity Of the latter being
correspOndingly curtailed This Is an end
for which certain line officers have been
long contending-
II Is also maintained that the new sys-
ha AZ al n
Navy Department OF about % per cent
more line officers than are now on duty
there while the increase OF line personnel
al navy yards is estimated TO be 80 per
cent This is represented in the Navy
Department by the aids and their assist
ants and the officers likely 20 serve In
connection with the General Board IN the
design OF ships and the questions con-
corning changes in the military features
of war vessels. The General Board. II IS
also Observed has no representation on
the naval staff. which seems further 10
ignore the influence Of the constructors
The civil engineers find themselves de-
prived of some important projects of SUI
pervision, such as the public works az the
Naval Academy and similar work under
the marine corps. which IL was intended
should be assigned to the Bureau or Yards
and Docks.
The pay officers are surprised 70 ind
that the bureau under which they serve.
the head OF which Is the paymaster gen
eral. is divided into two sections. one OF
supplies and the other OF accounts, and
that an additional pay officer will be nee
essary at important places 20 make pay
ments for supplies.
These features constitute the principal
occasion OF criticism. and there IS some
curiosity among officers 10 see whether or
not Congress will pay any attention 10 the
new situation. II Is understood that Sec
rotary Meyer has fortified himself by con-
sulting the leading members Of the House
and Senate Naval committees. from whom
he obtained assurances that thsy would
support him in whatever he undertook
toward establishing an economical opera
ton OF navy yard plants
While these criticisms are expressed by
officers especially interested. IL is fact
that most officers at the department look
for beneficial results from the new system.