The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-26
NEEDS OF THE NAVY
Plans OF Reorganization Are
Outlined in Senate.
MESSAGE SENT BY PRESIDENT
Report of Special investigation
Commission Urges Creation of an
Advisory Board for Secretary aud
Suggests Joint Work with the
Army to Increase Efficiency.

Recommending that the reorganization
Of the Navy Department should in no
way be allowed 10 influence or interfere
with the Office OF the Secretary OF the
Navy. President Roosevelt yesterday sub
mitted 10 Congress the report Of the spe-
cial commission appointed 10 study the
needs Of the navy
Much interest was displayed In the
Senate when that clause urging co-opera-
ton with the army IN time Of war was
read. Stress was laid upon the irnpor-
lance Of having these two coordinate
branches OF the service work jointly even
IN times Of peace.
Referring TO this point dilated upon by
/ the commission. the President says:
The navy should be treated not with
a view 10 any special or local interest.
( but from the standpoint OF the interest
+ Of the whole country, and that all other
/ considerations should be subordinated 20
] keeping It in the highest condition OF
military efficiency. for il must be pre-
/ pared for war, OF else IL IS useless. and
] il cannot be prepared for war unless
always in the highest state OF military
( efficiency.
Object of the Navy.
The whole object OF the organization
OF the Navy Department IS 10 create ma
chinery which viii in time Of peace pre-
pare for war: and such. no less. Is the
whole object OF the War Department.
! All the administration machinery Of the
/ Two departments should be considered
I from this standpoint The two Secre-
tsries should be supreme: but they should
have the best and most responsible milf
! tary advice"
Justice William H Moody, Representa-
tive Dayton. Paul Morton. Rear Admiral
S. 3. Luce. retired; Rear Admiral A. 7.
Mallan. retired. Rear Admiral R0b!ey d.
/ Evans retired. Rear Admiral William NJ.
( Folger, retired. and Rear Admiral VIII
IAN s. Cowles, retired.
The report as prepared is only pre-
liminary. Among the suggestions for
warded the President Is that an advisory
board OF several persons equipped not
with advice merely. but with reasons
be appointed to assist the Secretary OF
the Navy.
As regards the individual responsibility
for advice. II IS suggested that the Secre-
tary Of the Navy nominate TO the Presi-
dent the officer he deems best fitted 10
command the great fleet in time OF war,
and that this officer, irrespective Of his
seniority. should be head Of the ad-
visory board
II. connection with the Presidents rec
ommendation that an investigation be
made into the general facilities Of the
navy yards. the commission reports as
follows:
The dispensing with unnecessary navy
yards and the provision for navy yards
which are required 10y strategic cOnsid-
Grafton in time OF war, and for maintain
ling the feet in constant readiness for
war in time OF peace. are questions Of
such gravity and demand so much care
ful study that Il would be impracticable
for the commission 10 bring in even a
preliminary report OF any value in the
limited time available
New Board Named.
In accordance with this last sugges-
ton. the President tells Congress that he
has named the following Joint committee
OF army and navy officers to report on the
subject:
Rear Admiral A. T. Mahan, L. s y,
retired. chairman: Rear Admiral Richard
! :. Sperry. Z. s y; Rear Admiral Rich
ard Wainwright. L. 6. "; Capt. c. MGR.
WinsIow. [. s y: Mai Gen. J. Franklin
/ Bel, L. s A, Chief Of staff: Brig Gen.
w. ". Wotherspoon, L. S. A, General
I star. president Army War College. and
Brig. Gen. " L Marshall. L. s A.
Chief OF Engineers
In conclusion. the report reads:
1t should be distinctly laid down as
a cardinal principle that no scheme Of
naval organization can possibly be effec-
tive which does not recognize that the
requirement Of war Is the tue standard
tof efficiency In an administrative military
system. that success in war and victory
in battle can be assured only by that
constant preparedness and that superior
b fighting efficiency which logically result
from placing the cOnJrol and responsible
ity in time of peace upon the same indi-
vidusls and the sane agencies that must
control in tine OF war.
There should be no check or change
OF method in expacdjng from sIate OF
peace 70 a state Of w1T. This is rot
militarism; il is simple business prin-
clpIe based upon the tact that success in
war IS the only return the people and the
nation can get fvom the Investment Of
many millions in the building and main
tenance OF a great navy