The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
NEEDS OF THE NAVY ID BE CONSIDERED President Roosevelt Appoints
 Commission to Act
PAUL MORTON IS CHAIRMAN
Roosevelt Has Sent Letters to the Members of the Commission Giving Suggestions for Changes and
 Improvements In Navy.

Roosevelt Is of the opinion that the or ganization of the navy department Is not such that brings best results, and today he appointed a commission whose announced duty will be to consider certain needs of the navy
 The Presidents action was somewhat of a surprise in view of the fact that the members of the commission ap- pointed today two weeks ago met at Washington and indorsed Secretary Newberry's plan of reorganization. and in view also of the auth orlzation by the Senate of an inquiry into naval ex- pendftures. the conduct of business and the need. if any. of legislation to improve the administration of the navy department.
 The announcement of the Presfdents s action was entirely unexpected at the navy department. Secretary Newberry, who today had issued an order carry ing out his proposed plan. with partio- ular reference to the navy yards, ap- peared to be the most surprised of all. His first information on the subject had come 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, former Secretary of tn 6 Navy, the other members being Justice Moody, also former Secretary of the Navy; A. 0. Dayton, formerly chair man of the House naval affairs com mittee, and Rear Admirals S. B. Luce, A T. Mahan, William M. Fo1ger, RobIey D. Evans and William s. Cowles, all of whom are on the retired list.
 RooseveIt's Letter.
 The letter is as follows:
 January 27, 1909.
 My Dear Sir-I have appointed you as member of a commission to con- sider certain needs of the navy The not such as to bring the best results and there is a failure to coordinate the work of the bureaus and to make tn he department serve the one end for which it was created, that Is, the development and handling of a f1rst-class fighting fleet. With this proposition in view I will ask you to consider:
 '1 All defects in the law under which the navy department is now or edhl1Cos AlCd4QhhB obRoOtdlfy tn6 Q0- fects by which the authority of chiefs of bureans is made in certain respects practically equal to that of the Score tary or President.
 "2. The division of responsibility and consequent lack of coordination in the preparations for war and conduct of war.
 "& The functions of certain burea us as to see wh ether it is not possible to consolidate them.
 "4. The necessity of providing the Secretary of the Navy with military advisors. who are responsible to him for co-ordinatfng the work of the bu- reaus and for preparatso for war.
 "6. The necessity for economical all iotment and disbursements of appro- priations, and a system which will in sure strict accountability.
 Responsibility of Secretary.
 "6. Finally, I want your views as to strictly military character of the navy, so that prepara tionS for war shasl be controlled under the secretary by the military branch of the navy, which bears the responsibility for the success full conduct of war operations.
 "I wish to have the above subjects considered under two general heads:
 ''1. As to the fundamental principles of an organization that will insure an efficient preparation for war In time of peace, a separate report under this head to be submitted at the earliest practicable date
 "z. Specific recommendations as to tn @ changes in the present organization that will accomplish this result, the report under this head to be submitted later.
 Tn addition to the above reports I de- sire your recommendations as to the num- Der, location and general facilities of the navy yards, which are required by strate- gic considerations in time of war and for maintaining the fleet in constant read mess for war in time of peace. Sincerely yours, THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
 Newberry's Order.
 Preceding by several hours the Presi- dents announcement was the issuance of general order by Secretary Newberry, which had been approved by the Presi- dent, designed to carry into effect the secretary's naval reorganization plans so far as they pertain to the navy yards and naval stations
 It's general purport is to consolidate the manufacturing force at navy yards, and its effect will be to make the command ant resemble, in his connection with the trial plant. The purport of the order was outlined by Secretary Newberry in a general statement made today. The or der itself prescribes in detail the methods by which the plan is to be put into effect. and the assignment of duties to respective officers In February 13 the command