The Washington times., 1909-01-06
RETURNS TO FIRST
PLAN FOR THE NAVY
President DiSapproves of
Newberry.s ReOrganiZa-
ton Scheme.

Convinced by a very brief experience
that the plans of Secretary of the Navy
NewbeTTy for reorganization OF the de-
partment along general stan lines and
Tor the elimination of the bureau sys-
tenn viii not produce satisfactory re
suits. President Roosevelt is determined
10 appoint a commission of distinguis ,
ed naval and military authorities ana
eminent civilians to Investigate the
whole question OF navy organization.
II can be said on the highest authority
that this decision has been made final
The President was practically deter
mined on this step two months ago.
Then Mr. NeWbeTry presented a scheme
OF reorganization which he thought
practical. through the increase of mem
bership Of the most important ma
val boards and the addition of new
members Of the general board, so that
all the minor boards should be repre-
sented on the general body. This was
designed 10 make the general board
practically the same as the general
The President agreed 10 let Mr.. New
berry have a chance at his plan, and 10
was lnaugurated the day after Mr..
Newberry became Secretary Of the
Many Difficulties.
The statement is now made that the
which seem insurmountable, and the
President has returned 10 his original
idea.
1t IS expected that membership OF the
special commission viii be announced
in a very few days. The time depends
on the success which Is. met in inducing
the right men TO serve It is impossible
TO give any compensation for the serv-
ice.
Elihu Root is the man wanted for
chairman because under his admlnlstTa-
ton Of the War Department the general
stan was organized there; also because
ms reputation as practical admins
traitor would give the report standing
with Congress and the country. 1t Is
not yet known whether he viii take
the Craftsmanship. II he does not. Paul
Morton, former Secretary OF the Navy
probably will be chairman Others who
viii be on the board viii probably be
Capt. Alfred y. Mahan. the greatest
naval strategist in the world Justice
Moody. formerly Secretary OF the Navy
Judge George Gray, Gen. horace Fo 1I
ter AdInlFal Dewey, Rear Aqnlrdll
Bradford, Luce, and Chadwick, and
Wayne MaCvea gh.
The former Secretaries Of the Navy
who viii serve are committed TO the
general staff So is Mr.. Root.
Tt IS impossible TO establish a general
board without legislation. To get this
Il Is necessary TO overcome by force OF
overwhelming public opinion, the de
termtned Congressional opposition %
the plan. The Naval Committee OF the
Senate is especially devoted to the pres
ent bureau system, because, II is alleged
under IL the political navy yards are
secure.
a general staff and the other reor-
ganizatiOn which would 60 with ir
would involve abandonment Of some OF
these yards, and general adjustment OF
navy methods 10 military rather than
political considerations.
The law will have to be changed 70
take away from bureau chiefs the au-
thOrtty they now enjoy, concurrent,
within their spheres. with that OF the
Secretary Of the Navy.
II is expected that the Naval Organ.
iZatiOn Commission viii be set at work
with the least possible delay in order
that & may report before March T.