The Washington times., 1909-02-10
Committee Authorizes Com
mission to Do Work Long
Demanded.
VICE ADMIRALSHIP
FOR BOB" EVANS
Marines Put Back on Ships and
Pacific Naval Base Ask
ed For.
By JOHN SNURE

At last. the movement for reform OF
the Navy Department. both as TO bust
ness methods and In respect 20 its ca
pacity 10 carry on war, has been def
uitely inaugurated at the Capitol.
The Senate Naval Affairs Committee,
through Chairman Hale. made its report
en- the naval appropriations bill 10 the
senate this afternoon. That report car
res an important provision authorizing
commission for examination into the
business methods of the Navy Depart
ment,' and making the necessary ap-
preparation therefor.
The title OF the commission. however.
does not fully explain its scope. 1t is
expected to study the changes necessary
IN the methods of conducting the busi-
ness Of the Navy Department. with
view to securing the most economical
methods, and more than this il is ex-
Pected 10 evolve such reforms in the
Navy Department as viii insure the
best preparation foc the conduct Of the
navy In time of wsr.
Who Members Are.
The commission provided for by the
bin, as amended in the Senate com
mittee, is TO consist ~3f three Senators,
20 be named by tho Vice President.
three Representatives to be named by
the Speaker; three rear admiraIs. TO be
named by the President, not more than
two 70 be on the active list or more than
two on the retired list. and three emf
nent civilians. also to be appointed by
The President
The commission is expected 10 con
duct inquiries the coming summer and
fail and TO make its report to Con-
Eress a. the next regular session.
II is generally believed the commits
sion viii be authorized by Congress.
It IS looked on as the elimination Of
the prolonged efforts that have been
urged by various naval officers numer-
Gus members OF Congress, many news
papers and magazines, and by the
President. for the overhaullnE Of the
Navy Department.
Action Little Expected.
So little had the action OF the sen
ate committee been expected that in
House Naval Committee quarters to-
day, surprise was expressed that steps
had At last been taken that seemed TO
indicate purpose 10 probe into the
facts concerning Navy Department or
ganizatlou.
The bin as reported today contains
other important features Not the least
OF these is IN an amendment has
been added TO the House bin pr0vid-
ing for a commission 10 select a site
for a great naval base on the Pacific
coast.
The purpose is 10 have this commits
sion make an Investigation Of the va
Tl0us possible sites for a naval base,
adequate for the greatest battleships.
= aiong the Pacific coast from Puget
Sound southwark 20 recommend a site
and this with q view 10 the upbuild-
ing Of a naval station that win haTb0r
the DreadnouEhts Of the American
navy and enable them to make their
repairs in Pacific waters.
Is Preliminary Step.
That this step is preliminary 10 the
maintenance Of a great battleship fleet
on the Western coast is nos 20 be-
doubted.
The Senate committee has determined
10 restore the marines TO the battle
ships. Il has Incorporated the amend
ment 20 the naval bin which failed Of
passage iu the House
AS Was expected, the bin makes no
change iu the measure as it came from
tiOns for hattleship construction Two
81, ,Quu-tou bdLrieShIps are authorized and I
and the other vessels which the House
made provision for
The three subsurface boats the House
committee favored are added.
The provision for two Datlleslips was
retained ia the committee only by q
close vote.
The House provision is struck out
FTnHHFHHra.H on EarrwH pace