The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-28
NAVY In NEED OF
REORGANIZATION
SAYS PRESIDENT
Paul Morton Named to Head
Commission in Charge of
Plans.
To Emphasize Military Pur-
pose Of Department.
BUREAUS WORK TO SAME END

Washington. Jan. 2S.-President
Roosevelt Is OF the opinion that the
organization OF the navy department
is not such as to bring the best re-
suits and he appointed committee
whose announced duty win be to
consider certain needs OF the navy"
What President Wants.
The president has sent Identical
letters TO each of the eight member
OF the commission. which is headed
by Paul Morton. a former secretar,
OF the navy. the other members being
Justice Moody. also a former secre
tary OF the navy; Judge A. q. Day
ton, formerly chairman OF the hous,
naval affairs committee. and Rear
Admirals s. b. Luce. A. T. MahaA.
william Folger. Robley ID. Evans ana
William S. cowles. all OF whom are
on the retired list.
lie sets out certain subjects for the
commission to consider under two
general heads. FIRST as to the funda-
mental principles OF an organization
that will Insure an efficient prepare
ton for war In time of peace, and
secondly specific recommendation as
60 the changes In the present organl
zation that vii accomplish this re.
suit.
The letter Is as follows:
Division Of Responsibility.
January 81. 1909.
MY Dear slr--I have appointed you
as a member OF a commission to con-
slider certain needs OF the navy. The
organization OF the department Is
nov such ms to bring the best results,
and there "a a failure 10 coordinate
the work OF the bureaus and to make
the department serve the one end 10,
which Il was createi-that Is. the
development and handling OF a first
class fighting fleet. with this propo-
sition in view I will ask you to con-
slider:
l. All defects In the law under
which the navy department is now
organized. including especially the
defects by which the authority Of
chiefs OF bureaus Is made in certain.
respects practically equal to-that OF
the secretary or the president.
2. The division OF responsibility
and consequent lack Of coordination
In the preparations for war and con-
duct OF war.
3. The functions OF certain bu-
reaus as to see whether II Is not pos
Sible TO consolidate them.
Need Military Advisers.
4. The necessity OF providing the
secretary of the navy with military
advisers. who are responsible to him
for preparation for war.
8. The necessity for economical
allotment and disbursement of appro-
prlatlons aud for a system which VIII
insure strict accountability.
G. Finally. | want your views az
TO how best to recognize and empha-
size the strictly military character OF
the navy, so that preparations for
war shall be controlled under the
secretary OF the military branch OF
the navy, which bears the RESPONSE
bility for the successful conduct of
war operations.
| wish 10 have the above subjects
considered under two general heads:
First-As to the fundamental prin-
ciples of an organization that will In
sure an efficient preparation for wai
In time of peace. separate report
under this head to be submitted at
the earliest practicable date.
Facilities OF Yards.
Second-Specihc recommendations
as to the changes In the present or
ganizatlon that will accomplish this
result. the report under this head TO
be submitted later.
10 addition to the above reports |
desire your recommendations as to
the number, location and general IA
clities 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 ROOSEVELT
Preceding by several hours the
presidents announcement was the Is
suance of a general order by Secre-
tary Newberry, which had been ap
proved by the president. designed to
carry into effect the secretary's naval
organization plans so far as they per
tain to navy yards and naval stations.
Newberry Had Plan.
Its general purpose Is to consoli-
date the manufacturing force at the
navy yards, and its effect wiz be to
make the commandant, while as here
tofore paramount, resemble In his
connection with yard work the presi
dent OF large industrial plant; the
principal technical assistant becom-