Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-01-28
ORDER CREATES GREAT SURPRISE
s.artIes Secretary Of NaVy-S'en'f'-
cant Paragraph in PERSISTENT Let
ter Refers to Urgency Of Report on
Preparation for War In Time OF
Peace-Oniciais Puzzled.

WASHING lON. -. &. Jdh.-' 'N''
dru! Roosevelt IS of the c.-ini0n ina,
the organization o: tn" navy 2i''ai'
nj. mt is not such a 10 briNS III" pes
results, and today he appointed Il COM
mission whose announced duty VII
ln 10 consider ccrl ain needs II IN"
navy.
The Presidents action was s1nc
what i 4 surprise III view ot ihe taci
tla, III. members OF the CnmmlsSlOii
aurOinttd To-Day TWO weeks ago met
a; Washington and endorsed Stcir
iarv New Dcrry's plan OF reor&aniza'
ZION, and in view also OF the anihorlZa
rion by the Senate OF an inquiry Mt'
naval eXpeno iturrS. the conIuct o.
business. and the ne dS, if any. OF lrglS-
lalion to improve The administration
Of the navy department.
Announcement Ct the President 5 ac-
ton was entirely unepe ct"d "a IN"
navy department,
Newberry Much Surprised.
Secretary Newb"Try who today mat
issued an order carrying out his pro-
posed plan, with particular reterenc"
10 the navy yards. appeared TO be
most surprised OF all.
He declared that he was not aware
that the President had taken sucn
action: had MT seen the letter OF ap-
rointmert addressed to the various
members CT the commission and dla
not know the purport of the letter
addressed to them.
His first information on the Sub
Jet hal come 10 him from the press.
The President has sent Identical
letters 70 each OF the eight members
Il the commission which is headed
by Paul Morton. former secretary OF
he navy. the other members being
Justice Moody. also a formerly secre-
tary OF the Havy: Judge 4. &. Day
Ton. formerly chairman OF the House
naval affairs committee. and Rear
Admirals S h. Luce. A T.'Nahan. VII
liam NJ. Folger. Rob!ey D. Evans AMI
William S Cowles, all of whom are
On the retired list.
Sets Forth the Subjects.
He sets ont certain subjects for the
commission 70 consider under two
general heads. first. as 10 the tunde'
mental principles OF an organization
that will insure an efficient proparA
ton for war in time of peace. an"
secondly. specific recommendations
as t. the changes in the present or
fiSh
result.
The letter is follows:
January -. 1909.
MY Dear Sir:
Il have appointed you as member
Of commission to consider certain
needs of the navy. The Organiza
ton of the depart ment is not such
as 10 bring the best results and there
is a failure 20 coordinate the worh
az the bureaus and to make the de
Uartmcnt serve the ono end for which
il was Crea'cd. that is. the develop
mcnt AMI handling OF 4 frst-c!ass
fighting fee; With this proposition
In view I VIII ask You to consider:
II All defects In the law under
which the navy departing is now
organized. including especially III"
defects b. which the uihoriy o.
chiefs Of bureaus is made in ceriair
respects practically equal - that NJ
The secretary or the President.
Lack Of Coordination.
-. The division of resp0n sibility
and consequent lack Of co-oTdinaiioa
in tine preparation Tor war an! con
duct of war.
3. The functions c! certain blr
Caus 50 as 10 $50 whether IL is no.
possiblc TO consolidate them.
u. The necessity OF providing the
secretary Of the navy with military
advisers who are responsible for co
ordiEating the work Ct the bureau and
fo- preparing fer war.
=. Tho necessity for economic al
Io.ment and disbursement of appro,
priations and for system which
will insure strict accountability.
%. Finally { want your views az
10 how best to- rrcrganize and ON