The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-11-30
NAVAL SECRETARY MEYER AN
NoUNcEs SWEEPING DE-
PARTMENT CHANGES.
FOUR COMPETENT AIDES
Confusion and Conflict Of Orders to
BE Eliminated by New System
Business Principles and Methods
Hereafter to BE Watehword-Many
Bureaus to BE Extinsuished.

Washington. Nov. 29.-Heeding the
cry for reform in naval affairs. Sec
retary Meyer on Wednesday will in
augurate the most sweeping changes
in the navy department since the
establishment of the bureau system in
= 1892. Himself q former director of
banks and manufacturing companies.
he hopes TO put the department on u
business basis beyond the dream Of his
predecessors. The keynote of his re-
forms is the subordination of the bu-
reau chief.
Summarized, essential changes in
the Meyer plan are: The selection Of
four responsible advisers on subjects
within the four groups into which
duties of the department fall. to be
known as the aide for material, the
aide for personnel. the aide for opera
tions of the fleet and the aide for in
spections.
The grouping OF the bureaus into
two divisions of material and person.
mel. according to the nature of their
duties.
The establishment of division of
operation for the fleet
The establishment of comprehen-
sive inspection system.
The establishment of n modern eff
ficient cost-keeping system in the
navy department and at the navy
yards.
The separation of navy yard work
into two divisions of huIls and ma
chinery.
The abolition of the bureau of con-
struction.
The abolition of the bureau OF equip
ment.
Henceforth officers who fight the
ships are to have more influence in
navy department.
Chosen men from among them are
to be official eyes and ears of the
secretary, laden with fun responsible
ity for their reports. but not his
hands.
In Effect December I.
The secretary will retain his admin
istrative and executive power for his
own exercise and that of the assistant
secretary OF the navy. All reforms go
into Effect December except the
abolition of the bureau of equipment,
which congress alone can do.
When Mr.. Meyer assumed office he
ment and in the navy yards. due to
changes instituted by Secretary
Newberry few weeks before the
close of his administration. Steps
We're taken to ascertain how far Il
was desirable to follow reforms out
lined by Secretary Newberry Tie
Sperry board was created to report
how the various conflicting orders
and regulations could best be recon-
ciied. Then came the Lutte board,
which was asked to make recommen-
dations concerning the consolidation of
the bureau of steam engineering with
other bureaus. step undertaken by
Secretary Newberry. Finally Secre-
fary Meyer appointed the Swift board
To consider reports Of the other boards
and TO make recommendations for the
Improvement Of business methods OF
the department. With these reports as
a basis. Secretary Meyer has evolved
his plan of reform.
The secretary found that the bu-
reaus of the department We're inde-
pendent of one another and that ne
must decide all differences between
them. The aides are 20 advise him
on these points According to the
Meyer plan, the board of construction
becomes useless and, therefore, will
DE abolished
Under the new plan the operating
branch. which deals directly with the
military use of the fleet, will origi-
nate military features of new con-
struction in consultation with the
general board Of which the new aide
Tor operations will be a member
Other Officers also will be called in for
advice and criticism. both before and
AFTER the sketch plans haze been pre-
pared by the technical bureaus.
These officers will be selected be-
cause OF pronounced success i'm ord
hihce, engineering or torpedo work.
Inc bureaus will be called upon final
H 10 prepare the actual plans and
VIII be responsible for their correct
ness.
With the growth of the business Of
the department Secretary Never found
that duties similar to thos. of The
equipment bureau were performed bv
the bureau of supplies and accounts.
construction and repair. and by steam
engine. ring. At the navy yards Mr..
Meyer has decided to divide the single
manufacturing department established
bs MT. Newperry into two divisions
one OF machinery and the other hulis
according To the general practice
In shipbuilding establishments in this
country. and with the naval doekyards
of England and Germany"
The Newherry plan gave the senior
naval constructor at the navy yards
power that Secretary Meyer lodges