Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-28
Commission to Consider
Certain Needs Of Navy
Appointed by President, to In
prove the Service.
Action Entirely Unexpected, Even
BY Sec. kewberry.


Roosevelt thinks that the orean%a-
ton of the navy department Is not
such as to bring the best results and
today he appointed a commission
whose announced duty it will b" 20
consider certain needs Of the navy.
The Presidents action was somewhat
OF surprise in view of the fact that
tho members of the commission APP
pointed today me. two weeks ago at
Washington and endorsed Secretary
Newberry's plan of reorganization,
and in view also of the authorization
by the Senate of an inquiry into naval
expenditures the conduct of business
and the reed, if any, of legislation 10
improve the administration of the navy
department.
Announcement of the Presidents ac-
ton was entirely unexpected at the
navy department.
Secretary Newberry. who issued an
ORDER carrying out his proposed plan,
with particular reference to the navy
Yards appeared to be the most sur
priscd Of ALL He said that he was not
aware that the President had taken
such action, had not seen the letter
of appointment addressed to the Varl-
Gus members of the commission and
did not know the purpose of the letter
addressed to them. His first inforina-
ton on the subject came to him from
the press.
The President has sent identical let
ters to each Of the eight members OF
the commission, which is headed by
Paul Morton. q former secretary OF the
navy, the other members being Justice
Moody, also former secretary of the
navy; Judge A. G. Dayton, formerly
chairman of the House naval affairs
committed and Rear Admirals S. u.
Luce, A. T. Mahan. William Fagler
Roblc, D. Evans and William r.
COwles. He sets out certain subjects
for the committee to consider under
two general heads; first, as to the fun
damental principles of an organization
that will insure an efficient prepare
ton for war in time of peace, and sec
ondly, specific recommendations as to
the change in the present organization
that will accomplish this result. The
letter follows:
Jan. q, 1909.
"My Dear Sir-I have appointed you
as a member Of a commission to con-
organization of the department is not
such as to bring the best results, and
there is a failure to coordinate the
work of the bureaus and to make the
department serve the one end Tor
which it was created; that IS the de-
yelopment and handling Of tirst-class
fighting fleet. With this proposition in
view | will ask you to consider;
First. 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 ir certain respects
practically equal to that of the secre-
tary or President.
"Second the division of responsible
ty and consequent lack of coordination
in the preparations for war and cow
duct Of war
"Fhird. the functions of certain bu-
reaus, so as to see whether 1t is not
possible to consolidate them.
Fourth. the necessity of providing
the secretary of the navy with mill7
tary advisors, who are responsible to
him for coordinating the work Of the
bureaus and for preparation for war.
Fifth the necessity for economical
allotment and disbursement of appro-
priations ard for Il system which will
insure strict accountability.
sixth. finally, l want your views
as to how best to recognize and en-
phasize the strictly military character
of the navy, SO that preparation tor
war shall be controlled under the secre-
tary by the military branch of the
navy, which hears the responsibility for
the successful conduct of war opera
tionS.
II wish to have tho above subjects
considered under two general heads:
First, as to the fundamental prin
ciples Of ali organization that will in
sure an efficient preparation for war
in time Of peace, a separate report I'M
der this head to be submitted at the
earliest practicable date.
"SecCnd, specific recommendations as
to the changes in the present organ-
zation that will accomplish this result.
the report under this to- be submitted
later.
an addition to the above reports. ]
desire your recommendation as to the
number location and general facilities
Of the navy yards which are required
by strategic considerations in time OF
war and for maintaining the feet in
constant readiness for war in time OF
peace.
"Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Preceding by several hours the Pres-
dents announcement was the issuance