Bisbee daily review., 1909-04-25
OFFICERS OF HE NAVY ARE
 ID BE TRIED

PHILADELPHIA. Pa, April 24.- Lieutenant Commander J. s. McKeen of the ordnance department at the Philadelphia navy yard. and Lieuten- ant E. H. Delaney, in command of the United States steamship Panther. left here tonight for Washington. where it is expected they will be called up- on for an explanation of the meeting on the Panther when nine officers of the line drew up resolutions criticis- ing the order of Secretary of the Navy Newberry. which upset naval tradi- Ftions by displacing line officers every where from control of ordnance con struction. repairs. equipments, and steam engineering. and placing stan officers in charge.
 The report that the pamphlet pre- pared by the officers at the meeting would result in a court-martial was not taken seriously at the navy yard here today. IL was pointed out that the circular was submitted to Secre- tary of the Navy Meyer. and when he disapproyed of it's circulation it was immediately suppressed. Friends of the officers say that they were acting within their rights and merely doing their duty when they suggested
 
 navy yards which they deemed would benefit the service.
 Rear Admiral Melville. who is on the retired list. and is. therefore. not bound by the order of the department forbidding naval officers to give in- terviews for public questions, is among those who hold that the off cers were not guilty of breach of discipline when they met to discuss the changes of management of the navy yard.
 Hotly Criticises Newberry.
 He also expresses dissatisfaction with former Secretary Newberry's midnight order" saying fin the course of an interview today:
 q have no idea of the whole con- tents of the circular letter, but I do know that the actions of the retiring secretary of the navy, probably in- dorsed by former President Roose- welt. was the most extraordinary ac- tions that were ever known, not only in the navy of the United States, but of the navies of the world, and it has brought forth the most extraordinary comment from men who have made study of the best nayies of the world, expressing consternation at such as those of the last few days of the last administration"
 The order referred to was promul- gated by former Secretary Truman Newberry on January 25, and ap- proved by President Roosevelt on the same day In theory, the command ant was supposed to have full author ity at the yard, but in practice it was found that most of the real authority became invested in the chief naval Constructor. This. it is said, was violation of ali naval traditions. and caused dissatisfaction among the of ficers of the line which eliminated in the meeting on board the Panther on March g. at which the following off i cers formed temporary executive i committee or proposed association 1 of line officers: Capt. Albert G. Der 1 ". chairman; Commander B. c. Bry- an, treasurer; Lieutenant Commander l I. s. McKean. Lieutenant Commander l N. C. Twining. secretary; Lieutenant I Commander R. D. Hasbrouck, Lieu tenant F. H. Delany. Lieutenant c. ". Steele. jr., Ensign H. T. Dwyer, l and Midshipman W. s. Farber.
 Their Complaint to Meyer.
 ne DdhiptAiGL thtSt OAACeIS AsiN | printed and sent to Secretary Meyer i charges that 'the commandant is de prived of real command: the officers f of real authority: that technical work l in ordnance. steam, electricity and I civil engineering is placed in the | hands of officers who are experts in naval architecture only" and that "it will establish an ineradicable cause for discontent. friction. and conse- que1t inemciency."
 There has been no subordination, l and there will certainly be no court martials." said Admiral Pendleton. There has been no. insubordination. ,