The sun., 1909-02-28
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
lie TransmitS and Applauds Report OF
Commission on Naval ReorEani zation,


WAsHINGrcS. Feb. 2I.--The President
sent message TO Congress to-day intro
dncng the report OF the Commission on
Naval Organization outlining a system
Of conducting the Navy Department.
tThe President expresses his obligation
to Justice Moody and his associates Of the
commission and says in part:
invite your attention to the sound and
conservative character OF this report
IL Is In full accord with American policy
because 1t recognizes the complete suprein.
acy OF the civil power rs regards the mill
tary no less than the civil or manufacturing II
side Of naval administration Nothing
drastic is recommended as to the bureaus
or other agencies by means Of which the
purely business affairs of the Navy De.
partment are now administered. These
are similarly coordin mated a nd brought u nder
the general control OF the Secretary In such
manner as TO secure unity Of effort and
action.
The recommendation for the creation
OF the two councils, the Secretary's general
council and his military council Is based
on the fundamental and essential PROPOSE.
tions that navy exists and ought to exist
only for war alone, for the efficiency oi
the navy in securing and guara nteei 9
peace depends absolutely on its evident
efficiency for war. Preparations for war
can only be thorough and complete IL the
Secretary has the same expert military
assistance and the same advisers in time
Of peace as in time OF war. The proposed
plan has this object in view. 1t should be
remembered that perfection OF organiza-
tion and training and perfect preparedness
cost no more than slipshod inefficiency
in 80 spending money as to disregard or
even prevent or impede proper training
or preparedness.
The plan outlined does not imply any
greater expenditure OF money than at
present. 1t provides that the money should
be spent wisely instead Or as at present
spending 1t so that a certain proportion
is wasted in friction or In useless work.
Training and preparation are essential
elements OF success in war. II is necessary
to havethe best ships and to have a sufflcie mt
number OF them. but the number and char
acter OF ships will not necessarily bring
victory. Efficiency and organization In
personnel must be the main depende nee
in securing victory where there is even an
approximate equality In material.
To supplement and finish the work OF
this commission a commission must eventu-
ally be designated to take up the proposed
pan ana complete IL as 10 DETAILS. out no
plans can be satisfactory II there is devia-
tion from the essential military principles
specified In this report. These principles
are those all sound naval experts have come
to recognize as fundamental. 1 call your
attention to the fact that the commission
whose conclusions | laid before you was
composed OF hve Rear Admirals. two ex-
Secretaries OF the Navy and an ex-mem Der
OF the House OF Representatives, who
throughout his term Of service in the House
was one OF the most able and resolute cham
pions the navy has ever had in Congress.
The bureau system in it's entirety has
been retained by the commission, but
with an addition to the personnel. Its
power, but not its duties has been cur
tailed and il is remarked that its usefulness
has been increased by q plan OF coordina-
ton which is described. The necessity
for increasing the number of those In
authority in the bureau 10 purely a matter
OF business based on the enlar cement Of
the navy and the increase in the amount
OF work that falls TO the Department
heads. The additional cost is considered
to be nothing in comparison to the saving
Of administrative expenses.