New-York tribune., 1909-04-19
NAY HAVE TO EXPLAIN
NAVAL OFFICERS CALLED.
Attack on Ne7cberrys' Order Affect
ing Control of Yards the Issue.

Phiiade:phia April Is.-Lieutenant Commander J.
s Mexican. Of the ordnance department al the
PHILADELPHIA navy yard. and Lieutenant l. h De
laney in command OF the L s s Panther leII
here tonight for Washington where 1t is expected
they viii he called on FOR explanation o. the
meeting on the Panther when officers OF the me
diev up resolutions crticisng the order of the 'heh
secretarv Of the Navy. Mr.. Newberry. which upset
naval traditions by displacing old line officers IN
many instances from control Of ordnance con-
struction. repairs. equipment and steam engineer
ing and placing young staff officers in charge
TIE report that the recent issuing Of a pamphlet
b. the officers at the meeting would result IN
sensational court martial net taken seriously
a. the navy yard here to-day 1t pointed out
that the circular submitted Secretary of the
Navy Meyer and when he disapproyed Of its cir
culation was Immediately suppressed
Rear Admiral Melville retired. is among those
who held that the officers not guilty Of
breach of discipline when they met to discuss the
changes in the management OF the navy yard de
said to-day:
7 have no idea Of he whole contents OF the cir
eular letter. but do know that the actions of the
retiring Secretary Of the Navy probably indorsed
by former President Roosevelt were the most eN-
traordinary actions that We're known not only
in the navy The United States, but in the naves
% the world, it has brought forth the most
extraordinary comment from men who have made
study Of the best nayies Of the world, expressing
CONSERVATION such acts those Of the last days
Of the last administration
he crOeT MtllCn mas caused so nOCh DISCUSSION
in naval circles was promulgated by Mr.. Newberry
January -. and approved BY President Roose-
welt on the same day In theory the commandant
supposed TO have full authority al yard. but
fn practice it found that most Of the real
authority became invested in the chief naval
structor- This caused dissatisfaction among the
officers # the line, which eliminated in a meeting
board the United States Steamship Panther
March % at which the following officers in
attendance: Captain Albert 6. Berry chairman OF
-Ea rde 4
Lieutenant Commander y. {. Twining, secretary;
Lieutenant Commander ;. \ Mexican. Lieutenant
Commander r. d. Iasbrouck, Lieutenant Z. II. De
laney. Lieutenant G W Steele. jr.. Ensign H T.
DRyer and 3Iidshipman W, S. Farber. Admiral
Pendleton. who is in command at the yard, was not
present az the meeting.
result of the meeting the Panther
thirty-t9ro page pamphlet was printed II charges
that the connandant is deprived of real com
mand: the officers of real authority; that technical
work in ordnance steam electricity and civil
Eineeaing is placed in the hands Of officers who
expsEts naval architecture only. and that ii will
establish ineradcabe for discomfort. fric-
tor and consequent ineffciency- II advocates the
formation q organization Of naval
study the problem and to determine the pracu-
cabTy Of interchange of views among the scat
tered officers the service. that the crystallized
opinion might be presented tc the department.
Washington April ia high official of the Navy
Department. who declined authorize the use Of
his name tonight confirm cd tie report fTom Phiia-
delphia that the permission Of the department had
been sought BY line officers stationed League
Island Navy Yard send Il circular among
their fellow officers urging them TO cooperate in a
scheme TO upset ex-Se-retary Newberry's plan for
reorganizing navy yard administration methods
The department promptly told the League Island |
officers that such step upon their part would not
be permitted
Tie Spe.r-y board. which was recently designated
sniccth any discrepancies that may exist In
navy ,ard regulations has almost finished its re-
port. The boards work has been directed prlncl-
pally TO the question of reorganization. and by
those in authority il Is beieH ed that its recon-
mendatons pgll enbody tangible plan. the opera
ZION Of which VIII remove any dissatisfaction or
friction IL different Lranehes Of tIe service.