The Washington herald., 1909-05-07
HITS SYSTEM.
from Page one.

Continued from Page One.
in our great manufacturing establish
ments.
Attempts have been made to explain
why Secretary who. as a graduate of
the Sheffield Scientific School, might be
supposed 10 have some appreciation OF
engineering administration, should e. so
thoroughly counter 10 the teachings OF
history and 10 the spirit OF the age. but
none OF them have been az all satisfsc
tory. and I am content 10 let that side OF
the question drop by again expressing
nay own complete inability 70 understand
his actions. I am led TO believe that the
present Secretary is giving the matter
very careful consideration. with view of
undOing the tremendous harm brought
about By his predecessor. and. for one. 7
certainly trust most heartily that ne will
be well advised. and will restore the yards
10 their former efficiency.
1T ought 20 be said. however, as
matter Of record, that these changes were
made without any consultation between
the late Secretary and the officers most
competent. from long experience. 10 know
what was best. Indeed. by his own state
ment. the scheme was evolved from bis
own inner consciousness. Moreover, this
was all done within the last few months
OF an administration. and the Official be-
ginning OF the new order OF things was
on February l. less than six weeks before
the end.
1t Is pertinent 10 consider the pros
poets with regard 20 present and future
designs or. in other words, the main
tenance OF our prestige as leaders in the
production Of machinery Of the highest
type. Thus far this work has remained
In the hands OF officers who were spe-
cially trained and had all their experience
as engineers. although since 1899 they
have been line officers Unless they are
pT, maturely driven on the retired list.
there are enough of them 20 take charge
Of the designing for the next ten years.
An effort has been made TO arouse
the interest Of some Of the younger line
officers by a course OF special training
so as to get them 10 make a speciality
OF engineering design with view OF pro
viding for this most important work
after the present highly competent and
experienced men have retired. Unfortu-
uately the same thing applies here that
mentioned IN the previous division OF
the subject namely. that there has not
been any settled policy for doing this
and the attempt that was started was
interrupted by the cruise OF the Atlantic
Fleet.
Climax of the Day,
The startling address OF the retired
officer came as the climax OF day OF
social activity by he delegates. and in
response 10 his SPEECH. Walter II. Nc
Farland gave a brief address in which
he praised his old chief" and lauded
his efforts to make the American navy
supreme.
His remarks we're interspersed with
cheers. and as he enumerated the various
projects which Admiral Melville carried
10 completion and the benefits GCcruing
10 the navy from his investigations the
audience applaUded Tor the temperance
Of the former chief
On behalf OK the society. Dr. c. D. Wal
colt. director OF the Smithsonian Institu-
ton. closed the exercises by presenting q
life-size portrait Of the admiral 70 the Na-
ti0nal Gallery OF Art.
The evening session adjourned with
reception. al which each delegate was
presented 20 the admiral II was a token
Of esteem paid 20 one who stands high in
the regard OF the nation as a naval hero.
an engineer OF exceptional ability. and az
a wise and resOUrceful administrator ana
adviser
During the afternoon the President and
Mrs. Taft received the delegation at the
White House. and a tea was given in
honor Of the women in the party at the
Willard from until O'Clock in the
afternoon