Evening star., 1909-04-18
SIGNS OF A STORM
Navy Dispute Over Newberry
Reorganization Order.
LINE OFFICERS OPPOSED
Pamphlet Issued at the Philadelphia
Yard.
APPROVED BY COMMANDANr
Defends the Action Taken From the
Charge Of Impropriety-old
Fight Revived.
APPROVED BY COMMANDANr

Although affairs at the Navy Depart.
ment are outwardly calm and serene.
thers are indications that another storm
is brewing between the line and stan OF
the navy. The trouble is said to result
from the method adopted by certain ON
GERS in opposition to the so-called mid
night orders issued by Secretary New
berry just before his REIMBURSEMENT OF
the Navy portfolio. designed TO reorgan-
ize the service on a more compact and
economical basis. The regulations then
issued met with so much opposition that
Secretary Meyer has found II expedient
to appoint high-rankink board of ON
GERS representing the line and stan to
consider them with view to revision.
IL deemed advisable. in the best interests
OF the service.
The effort to change the regulations
has served to divide the navy into two
factions. each of which is promoting it's
views with increasing force and determi-
nation. There was no special bitterness.
however. until certain line officers at the
Philadelphia navy yard Joined In the
issue Of a pamphlet protesting against
the Newberry regulations. This pamphlet
sets forth the deslrability of forming an
organization composed mainly OF lire Of
ncers who shall stand ready to supply
information to aid the Secretary Of the
Navy in determining the best system OF
reorganized administration both at the
department proper and at the navy yards.
The orders issued by Mr.. Newberry for
the reorganizing Of the navy yards are
frankly criticised and condemned. Appli-
cation was made to Secretary Meyer for
permission to circulate the pamphlet, but
he would not consent to its general dis
tribution.
Attitude of Line Oh1cers.
In addition to the signers Of this PAM
phlet there are many line officers who
maintain that the Newberry regulations
constructors at the navy yards. as well
as in the Navy Department. where the
chief constructor has charge Of the en-
gineering bureau as we'll as that OF con-
struction.
officers who are opposing the Newberry
plan Of reorganization are simply exer-
cising the right Of free speech and that
Of the wisdom of the Newberry plan 1t 10
their duty to express It in the general
interest Of the service.
1t was also argued that if the oflcers
feared that their own positions were
jeopardized there was nothing improper
in communicating their apprehension to
their associates In the service.
The other view OF the matter 10 that
issued the pamphlet against the Newberry
regulations had been guilty OF insubordi-
nation pure and simple and should be dis
ciplined by the proper authority. 1t was
even suggested that they be court-naar-
tialed.
Secretary Meyer is not disposed to adopt
drastic measures IL they can be avoided.
It is said he holds that the officers were
not insubordinate In that they first asked
permission to circulate their pamphlet and
the department In solving vekatious prob
lens. In the meantime he 10 awaiting
the reports Of the naval general board
and the special board. OF which Rear
reconciling the troublesome and conflict
ing passages in the Newberry edition OF
the naval regulations.
Pendleton Supports ohicers.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
PHILADELPHIA. Pa, April 17.-whfls
certain bureau officers Of the United
States Navy at Washington insist that
court-martial shall be ordered for the Of
fcers at the Philadelphia navy yard who
issued the secret circular protesting
against former Secretary Newberry's
midnight orders" Rear Admiral e. C.
Pendleton, commandant at League Is
land, today stood stoutly by the officers
under him who participated In the matter.
On the other hand. Secretary Meyer is
expected to punish those responsible for II.
The Secretary Of the Navy has. in fact
already ordered the suppression OF the
pamphlet Of protest. but over 1t new
naval row has broken out. with line ON
GERS backed by civil engineers and what
remains Of the old steam engineering
corps combining to fight the naval con-
structors. who themselves have the pay
masters sympathy. The chief battle. II
is said, is over an effort to break the
power OF Chief Constructor Capps. The
trouble is said TO grow out OF the old at
tacks on the construction corps by the
line.
The secret circular sent out from League
Island calls for an organisation Of the
line and staff men to study the New
berry reorganization OF the department
and navy yard managements. 1t contains
a suggestion for fund to promote the
cause of those trying to upset this New
berry reorganization scheme.
Charge Of Improperly Denied.
The circular is called "mutinous in
character" by officers who have seen It
In Washington. But Admiral Pendleton
does not think so.
II cannot say anything OF the letter.
said the admiral today. until the Secrs-
tary has made answer. but approve the
action Of the officers on the course they
have taken.
There can be no improperly in pre-
senting the matter to the Secretary. since
the address was carefully prepared. asks
for a decision on certain matters. but
does not openly criticise. There is no
breach in the regulations connected with
the sending of IT. and I commend the Of
hcers who prepared It,"
The entire matter Is an echo OF the Sims
Against American methods OF
ship construction. intended to lessen the
influence of the construction corps. Capps
beat Sims In the argument. and former
Secretary Newberry planned to expand
Capps' power. and Congress backed him
up, at the expense Of the line.
The battle seems now to have been re-
opened.
ALPS VICTIMS INCREASING.