The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-28
SURPRISE FOR
NEW SECRETARY
President Roosevelt Appoints
Commission TO Consider
Needs of the Navy.
PAUL MUTTON AT THE HEAD
CONGRESS APPEARS TO HAVE
.esN ENTIRELY OVERLOOKED.

washington, Jan. q. President
,,,,sevelt believes the organization of
-. navy department is not such as to
INC the best results, and today he ap-
-.i-,ed z commission to consider GER
-, needs Of the navy" His action
as somewhat Of a surprise in view OF
-. fact that the members of the COM
-,ission appointed today two weeks ago
mot nj Washington and indorsed Sec
rstarv Newberrys plan OF reorganiza-
,i,n and in view also of the authorize
.;,n by me senate of an inquiry into
,syaI expenditures aud the need, if
any of legislation to improve the adj
-,,iuistration of the navy department.
Announcement of the presidents ac-
tion was entirely unexpected at the
navy department. Secretary Newberry
snpeared to be the most surprised of
all
Paul Morton at the Head.
The president has sent identical let
tors TO each of the eight members of
the commission, which is headed by
PAM Morton. former secretary of the
nav. the other members being Justice
Moody, also a former secretary of the
navy: Judge A. G. Dayton, formerly
chairman of the house naval affairs
committee, and Rear AdmiFais s. 3.
Luce, A. T. Mahau, William n. FOlger,
RobIey d. Evans and William S.
Cowles, all of whom are on the retired
list
The letter follows:
MY Dear Sir: 1 have appointed you
as a member Of a commission to con-
slider certain needs of the navy. The
organization of the department is now
not such as to bring the best results,
and there is failure to coordinate the
work of bureaus and 10 make the de-
partment serve the one end for which 1t
was created, that is. the development
and handling of a first-class fighting
feet. With this proposition I will ask
you to consider:
Matters to Be Considered.
''First-AH defects in the law under
which the navy department is now or
ganized, including especially the defects
by which the authority of chiefs of the
bureaus is made in certain respects
practically equal to that of the secre-
taTy OF the president.
ity and consequent lack of co-ordina-
ton in, the preparation for war and
conduct of war.
"Third-The functions Of certain bu-
reaus, as to whether il is not possible
to consolidate them
"Fourth-The necessity Of pre- viding
the secretary Of the navy with military
advisers. who are responsible 10 him
for CO-Ordinating the work Of the bu-
reaus and for preparation for war.
''Fifth-The necessity for economical
allotment and disbursement of appro-
priatiOns and for a system which viii
insure strict accountability.
"Sixth-Finally. I want your views as
10 how best to recognize and emphasize
the strictly military character of the
navy, so that preparation for war shall
be controlled under the secretary by the
military branch Of the navy, which
bears the responsibility for the success
full conduct of war operations.
Recommendation Wanted.
T wish to have the above subjects
subjects considered under two general
heads
"FirSt-As to the fundamental prin-
ciples Of an organization that will in
sure an efficient preparation for war in
tine Of peace.
Second-Specific recommendations as
Jo the changes in the present OTganiza-
ton that will accomplish this result.
In addition TO the above reports. I
desire your recommendation as to the
number. location and general facilities
of the navy yards which are required
by strategic considerations in time of
war. and for maintaining the feet in
constant readiness for war in time of
peace.
Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVE ELI
Preceding by several hours the presi-
dents announcement was the issuance
of a general order by Secretary New
berry. which had been approved by the
president, designed TO carry into effect
The secretary's naval reorganization
plans SO far as they may pertain to the
navy Yards and naval stations. Its
general purport is to consolidate the
msnufacturing force at navy yards. and
its effect will be to make the command
ant while, as heretofore, paramount,
Continued on Page 2.