The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-01-28
ROOSEVELT APPOINTS coMMIs-
SION TO CONSIDER REoReA-
NATION PLANS.
SURPRISE TO NEWBERRY
Chief Executive Names Prominent
Men to Investigate Affairs Of De-
ing Such Improvements as May Bs
Deemed Necessary and Practicable.

Washington, Ian. q. - President
Roosevelt believes the organization Of
the navy department is not such an
to bring the best results, and today
he appointed committee to consider
| certain needs of the navy" His ac-
tion was somewhat of a surprise, in
view of the fact that the members of
the commission appointed today two
weeks ago met at Washington and in
dorsed Secretary Newberrys plan of
reorganization, and, in view also of
| the authorization by the senate Of an
| inquiry into naval expenditures and
| the need, If any, of legislation to i'm
prove the administration of the navy
department. announcement of the pres
! ident's action was entirely unexpected
| at the navy department Secretary
Newberry appeared to be the most
| surprised of all.
The president has sent Identical let
ters to each of the eight members of
the commission. which is headed by
Paul Morton. former secretary Of the
navy, the other members being: JUS
tice Moody, also a former secretary
Of the navy: Judge A. @. Dayton.
formerly chairman Of the house naval
affairs committee. and Rear Admirals
8. B. Luce. A. T. Mahan. William II.
Folger, Robley d. Evans and william
s. Cowles, all OF whom are on the
retired list. The letter follows:
Roosevelt's Letter.
MY Dear Sir: / have appointed
member n a m iocin IN
consider certain needs of the navy
The organization of the department
s not now such as to bring the best
results, and there is failure to co-or-
dinate the work of bureaus and to
make the department serve the one
end for which it was created: that
is, the development and handling of a
first-class fighting fleet. With this
proposition 1 will ask you to consider
T. All defects in the law under
which the navy department is now
organized including especially the de-
fects by which the authority of chiefs
of the bureaus Is made, in certain
respects, practically equal to that OF
the secretary or the president.
g The division of responsibility
and consequent lack of coordination
in the preparation for war and conduct
of war.
3. The functions of certain bureaus
as to whether it is not possible To
consolidate them
Military Advisers.
a. The necessity Of providing the
secretary of the navy with military
advisers who are responsible to him
Tor co-ordinating the work of the bu-
reaus and for preparation for war.
.. The necessity for economical al
lotment and disbursement of appro-
priations and for a system which win
insure strict accountability
Is. Finally. l want your views as
to how best to recognize and empha-
size the strictly military character Of
the navy, so that preparation for war
snail be controlled under the secre-
fary by the military branch Of the
navy which bears the responsibility
'or the successful conduct of war oper-
atoms.
Under Two Heads.
Il wish to have the above subjects
considered under two general heads:
Il AS to the fundamental princi-
pies of an organization that win in
sure an efficient preparation for war
n time of peace.
z. Specific recommendations as to
he changes in the present orgsnfza-
lon that will accomplish this result.
In addition to the above reports.
desire your recommendation as to
ne number, location and general facil-
ties OF the navy yards which are
'equired by strategic considerations
n time of war and for maintaining
he fleet in constant readiness for war
n time of peace. Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
General Order.
Preceding by several hours the pres
dents announcement was the issu-
ince of general order by Secretary
Newberry. which had been approved
1y the president, designed to carry
nto effect the seCretarys naval re-
organization plans, so far as they per-
ain to the navy yards and naval sta
ions. It's general purport is to con-
olidate the manufacturing force at
lavy yards, and it's effect will be to
make the commandment, while, as
heretofore, paramount resemble in his
with the yard work the
PRESIDENT of a large Industrial plant.
he principal technical assistant be-
oming, under the commandant, the
'eneral manager.