Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-28
EXECUTIVE WILL
ASCERTAIN REAL
NEEDS OF NAVY
APPOINTS COMMITTEE TO DIS
COVER DEFICIENCIES
ACTION is SURPRISE TO SECRE,
TARY NEWBERRY
EooseveIt's Endorsement of Latter's
Plan Was Believed to Have
PrecIuded Further
Legislation
[Rx Associated Press.l

HT ASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-President
" Roosevelt believes the organi-
cation Of the navy department
is not such as to bring the best results,
and he appointed committee today
ito consider certain needs of the navy
His action was somewhat of a sur
prise in view of the fact that the mem
bers of the commission appointed today
met at Washington two weeks ago and
indorsed Secretary Newberrys plan of
reorganization, and in view also of the
authorization by the senate Of an in
quiry into naval expenditures and the
need, if any, of legislation to improve
the administration of the navy depart
ment.
Announcement of the presidents ac-
tion was entirely unexpected at the
navy department. Secretary NeWberry
appeared to be the most surprised Of
all.
The president has sent identical let
ters to each of the eight members of
the commission, which is headed by
Paul Morton, former secretary of the
navy, 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 Admirals S. B.
ley D. Evans and William S. Cowles,
all of whom are on the retired list.
The letter follows:
Presidents Letter
'My Dear Sir: l have appointed you
as a member Of a commission to con-
slider certain needs of the navy The
organization of the department is not
now such as to bring the best results
and there is failure to coordinate the
work of bureaus and to make the de-
partment serve the one end for which
it was created-that is, the develop
ment and handling of first-class fight
ing fleets. With this proposition 1 will
ask you to consider:
"I-All defects in the law under
which the navy department is now or
ganized, including especially the de-
fects by which the authority of chiefs
of the bureaus is made in certain re-
spects practically equal to that of the
secretary Of the president.
"'2-The division of responsibility
and consequent lack of coordination
in the preparation for war and for
conduct of war
"3.-The functions Of certain bureaus
as to whether it is not possible to con-
solidate them.
Provides for Advisers
"4-The necessity of providing the
secretary Of the navy with military
advisers, who are responsible to him
for co-ordinating the work Of the bu-
reaus and for preparation for war.
"5-The necessity for economic al
lotment and disbursement of appropria-
tions, and for a system Which will IN
sure strict accountability.
"6-Finally, want your views as to
how best to recognize and emphasize
the strict 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.
ST wish to have the above subjects
considered under two heads:
'1 AS to the fundamental principles
of an organization that will insure an
efficient preparation for war in time Of
peace.
"2. Specific recommendations as to
the changes in the present organization
that will accomplish theseIesults.
Strategic Requirements
'In addition to the above reports,
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 fleet in
constant readiness for war in time of
peace.
yours sincerely,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
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 pertain to the navy
yards and naval stations.
It's general purport is to consolidate
the manufacturing force at navy yards,
and its effect will be to make the COM
mandant, while, as heretofore, para
mount, resemble in his connection with
the yard work the president of large
Industrial plant, the principal technical
assistant becoming under the COM
mandant the general manager.