Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-11-30
MORE INFLUENCE FOR
MEN WHO FIGHT SHIPS
Keynote Of New Policy is subordina-
ton of Bureau Chiefs Of the Past
Four Responsible Advisors on Sub
ieets With Four Groups Into Which
Duties Fall.
(By Associated Press,

a
Needing the cry for reform in naval
affairs secretary Meyer day after to-
morrow VIII lnaugGrate the most
sweeping changes in the navy de-
partmept since the establishment of
The bureau system i'll 1872. The sec
Rotary hopes TO put the department
on business basis beyond the dreams
OF his predecessors.
Inc Keynote OF his reform is the
subOrdination Cf the bureau chicf OF
tle past.
Summarized, the essential changes
in the Meyer plan are
The selection Oh four responsible adj
yisers on subjects within the four
groups into which duties of the de-
lsartment fall, 20 be known as the aide
Ior material, the aide Tor pensonnei,
the aide for operation Of the fleet
and the aide for inspections.
The grouping of the bureau into
two divisions OF material and person
mel according to the nature OF their
duties.
The establishment of division of
operations OF the fleet.
The establishment Of comprehen-
siye Inspection systeDi 81 ~ -
The establishment OF modern ana
efficient cost keeping system in the
navy department ana at navy yards.
The separation of navy work into
two divisions OF hul's and machinery.
The adjustment OF the board of
construction.
The adjustment of the bureau of
equipment.
More influence for Fighting Men.
Henceforth the officers who hight
the ships are to have more influence
in the navy department Chosen men
from among them are TO be the official
eyes and ears of the secretary, laden
with full responsibility for their re-
ports, but not his hands. The Sec
rotary will retain his administrative
and executive power for his own ex-
ercise and that of the assistant secre-
tary of the navy. Ali the reforms go
into effect December I. except the
abolishing Of the bureau Of equipment,
which Congress alone can 10
The aide fer operation OF the feet
will be Rear Admiral Richard Vain
wright. commander of the third divis-
ion Of the Atlantic feet.
. The aide for personnel wiz be Rear
Admiral W. p. Potter now chief Of the
bureau of navigation.
The aide for material will be Rear
Admiral William Swift. commandment
of the Boston navy yard.
The aide for inspection Will be
Captain Aaron Ward. recently SUPER
visor Of the New York harbor, who
will become a rear admiral on Janu-
ary 2.
Captain Reginald F. Nicholson, a
member OF the beard of inspection and
survey will be the chief of the bu-
reau of navigation. vice Potter.
Found Confusion in Department.
When Mr.. Meyer assumed Office
he found some confusion in the de
psrtment and in the navy yards. due
10 changes instituted by Secretary
Newberry a few weeks before the
close Of his administration. Steps
were taken by the appointment Of spe-
cial boards TO ascertain how far il was
desirable to follow the reforms ouflin-
I'd BY Secretary Newberry.
With these reports as q basis. Sec
rotary Meyer has evolved his plan OF
reform.
The secretary found that the bu-
reans Of the department we're indie
pendent Of one another and that he
must decide all differences between
them on the points
According % tee Meyer plan the
board Of construction becomes useless
aud therefore viii be abolished
This board was createo principals
10 supervise ship designing and u de-
eide questions in dispufe between ths
bureaus when their duties ovcrisyped
OF when one wished 10 secure more
space or weight for It's purpose IN .
ship design.
Original Military Gestures.
Under the Meyer plan, the operat.
ing branch. which deals directly viii
the military use Of feet. VIII origi-
nate the military features 81 nev
construction 10 consultation with th'
general board. Of which the new aid,
for operations yin he a member.
Ofhcr officers VIII also be called n
Tor andvice and criticism both be
fore and after The sketch pians have
been prepared By the technical bu