Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-12-03
MEYER STARTS HIS
REFORM CRUSADE
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY MAKES
MANY SWEEPING CHANGES
IN THE DEPARTMENT
TO BE PUToN BUSINESS BASIS
Keynote of Secretary's Reform is the
Subordnation of the Bureau
Chief of the Past-Sum-
mary of Changes.

Washington, ID. C.-Heeding the cry
for reforms in naval affairs, Secre-
tary Meyer will inaugurate the most
sweeping changes in the navy depart
ment since the establishment of the
bureau system in 1912. Himself a di-
rector of banks and manufacturing
companies in New England in times
past, he hopes to put the department
on business basis beyond the
dreams of his predecessors, The key
note of his reform is the subordina-
tion of the bureau chief of the past.
Summary of Changes.
Summarized the essential changes
in the Meyer plan are: The selection
of four responsible advisers on sub
jects within the four groups into
which duties of the department fall
to be known as the aid for material,
the aid for personnel, the aid for oper-
ations of the fleet and the aid for in
spections. The grouping of the bu-
reaus into two divisions of material
and personnel, according to the ma
ture of their duties. The establish
ment of a division of operations of
the fleet. The establishment of a
comprehensive inspection system. The
establishment of modern and efficient
cost keeping system in the navy de.
partment and at navy yards. The
separation of navy yard work into two
divisions of hulls and machinery. The
abolshment of the board of construc-
ton. The adjustment of the bureau
of equipment.
Appointment of Aids.
Henceforth the officers who fight
the ships are to have more influence
in the navy department. Chosen men
from among them are to be the off.
cial eyes and ears of the secretary
laden with full responsibility for their
reports, but not his hands. The sec.
retary will retain his administrative
and executive power for his own eX.
ercise and that OF the assistant secre.
tary of the navy. All the reforms go
into effect Immediately, except the
abolishment of the bureau of equip,
ment, which congress alone can do.
The aid for operations of the fleet
will be Rear Admiral Richard Vain
wright, commander of the third di
vision of the Atlantic fleet. The aid
for personnel will be Rear Admiral
w. p. Potter, now chief of the bureau
of navigation. The aid for material
will be Rear Admiral William Swift
commandant of the Boston navy yard
The aid for inspection will be Capt
Aaron Ward, recently supervisor OF
the New York harbor, who will be
come rear admiral on January 8
Capt. Reginald F. Nicholson, mem
Der of the board of inspection and
survey, will be made chief of the bu
reau of navigation, vice Potter.
Construction Board Useless.
When Mr.. Meyer assumed Office ht
found some confusion in the depart
ment and in the navy yards. due tc
changes instituted by Secretary New
berry few weeks before the close o.
his administration. Steps were takeI
TO ascertain how far it was desirable
to follow the reforms outlined by Sec
retary Newberry. According to tht
Meyer plan the board of construction
! becomes useless and will be abolished
Under the Meyer plan the operat
ing branch, which deals directly will
the military use of the fleet, will
originate the military features of nev
construction in consultation with tn,
| general board, of which the new aid
for operations will be member.