Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-02-04
TO IMPROVE NAVY
A COMMISSION APPOINTED TO
CONSIDER NEEDS OF THAT
BRANCH or SERVICE. Is
HEADED BY PAUL MORTON
President sends Letter to Each Mem
Der Setting out Certain Subjects
for Consideration OF
the Body.


Roosevelt believes the organization OF
the navy department is not such as to
bring the best results and Wednesday
he appointed committee whose an
nounced| duty will be to consider GER
tain needs of the navy"
The president has sent identical let
tiers to each of the eight members
of the commission which is headed by
Paul Morton, former secretary OF
the navy, the other members being
Justice Moody, also former secre-
tary Of the navy; Judge A. @. Day
ton, formerly chairman Of the house
naval affairs committee, and Rear Ad-
mirals S. B. Luce, A. T. Mahan, VIII
liam H. Folger, Robley D. Evans ana
William s. Cowles, all OF whom are on
the retired list. He sets out certain
subjects for the commission to con-
slider under two general heads, first,
as to the fundamental principles OF
an organization that will insure an eff
ficient preparation for war in time OF
peace and secondly, specific recon-
mendations as to the changes in the
present organization that will accom-
plish this result. The letter follows:
"My dear Sir:-I have appointed
you as a member Of commission to
consider certain needs Of the navy.
The organization of the department is
now not such as to bring the best re-
suits, and there is failure to co-ordi-
nate the work of bureaus and to make
the department serve the one end for
which It was created, that is, the de-
velopment and handling Of a first
class fighting feet. With this propo-
sition in view l will ask you to con-
slider.
Il. All defects in the law under
which the navy department is now or
ganized, including especially the de-
fects by which the authority Of chiefs
of bureaus is made in certain respects
practically equal to that of the secre-
/ tary of the president.
"2, The division of responsibility
! and consequent lack Of coordination
in the preparations for war and con-
duct of war.
"3. The functions Of certain bu-
reaus, as to see whether 1t is not
possible to consolidate them.
"a. The necessity of providing the
secretary Of the navy with military
advisers, who are responsible to him
for co-ordinating the work of the bu-
reaus and for preparation for war.
"5. The necessity for economical
allotment and disbursement of appro'
priations and for a system of which
will insure strict accountability
&C. Finally, want your views as to
how best to recognize and emphasize
the strictly military character of the
! navy, so that preparation for wal
shall be controlled under the secre
tary by the military branch OF the
navy, which bears the responsibility
for the successful conduct of war oper
atoms.
IT wish to have the above subjects
considered under two general heads:
II. As to the fundamental prin
ciples of an organization that will in
sure an efficient preparation for wal
in times of peace, a separate report
under this head to be submitted al
the earliest practicable date.
| %. Specific recommendations as Z
the changes in the present organiza
ton that will accomplish this result
the report under this head to be sub
mitted later.
I'm addition to the above reports
desire your recommendation as to thu
number. location and general facilities
Of the navy yards which are required
| by. strategic considerations in time Q
war and for maintaining the feet Il
constant readiness for war in time o
peace"