The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-05
NEWBERRY CHECKS
WASTE IN NAVY
OEPAR TMENT
smAshes PREcEoENTs AND IN
PRODUCES BUSINESS METHODS
WORK RECOGNIZED BY VET
eRAN OFFICERS, SAYS CURTIS.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-Every sec
rotary OF the navy for many years has
realized that the organization OF that
department Is awkward and expensive
before he has been In Office ten days
says VIM. E. Curtis. in dispatch 10
the Chicago Record-Herald But II
has remained for Secretary Newoerry
10 smash the precedents. overturn the
traditions and introduce modern ousi-
ness methods and economy In navy
yard work by sacrificing a system
that has prevailed since the govern
ment began To put boilers into SHIPS
as long ago az lS42.
Mr.. Newberry Is regarded by the
practical ofhcers OF the navy as the
most efficient and successful admin
istrator that has occupied his CHAIR
for many years. Without disparagihs
the conscientious efforts Of his prede-
cessors, they admire his methods and
have more confidence in his Judgment
because he IL q sailor himself. mas
had active experience on board snip,
has confronted all the problems OF
construction and administration while
assistant secretary for four years anu
knows what ought 10 be done. The
knowledge and experience he possess
co cannot be acquired by any other
man In lees time than he has spen'
in the department.
Want Nswberry Retained.
There have been six secretaries OF
the navy during the Roosevelt admin
istration: four OF them have been law
yers without the slightest knowledge
Of naval affairs and one a railroad
man who grasped the anairs or the
department firmly ana accurately OUT
unfortunately did not remain long
enough to accomplish anything OF per
manent value. Veteran officers OF the
navy who have seen the professions
OF secretaries pass through that ONCE
say that Mr.. Morton would have MADE
a great administrator II he had been
given a chance and they agree that
Mr.. Newberry is just beginning TO ap'
ply In a practical manner the expert
ence, training and knowledge he has
received as assistant secretary. There
fore, they regret his retirement on the
4th OF March. There has seldom been
such unamimity In the navy on any
subject. Il is very discouraging TO
those who feel an interest In the wei
fare of the navy TO have these ire
ouent changes, and everybody hopes
that President-elect Taft will change
his mind and keep the right man In
the right place.
AT the same time they congratulate
themselves that Mr. Newberry, even IL!
his short administration. has had the
courage and enterprise 10 introduce q
reform that has long been needed T.
increase the efficiency OF the service
from a military standpoint and &c
avoid the useless expenditure OF mil
lions OF dollars by the duplication oil
plants. machinery. inspection. office
expenses and other expenditures
Nv hich might have been avoided
Five Separate Organizations.
In the navy yard In New York. for
example. there were five independent
organizations doing practically much
of the same work under the direction
OF five different bureaus Of the de-
partment at Washington. They were ::
Five carpenter-shops.
Five paintshops.
Four pattern-shops.
Four foundries.
Four mac hine-shops.
Four sets OF drafting and design
ing Offices.
Four sets OF clerks and account
ants
These Implications represented the
N
g.neering. ordnance and yards and
docks They were all managed by diff.
ferent men with their own superin-
tendents and inspectors, and were
paid from different appropriations. The
expense was very large
and II has been going on year after
year for half century, and at times
there had been considerable friction
and rivalry which impaired efficiency.
the service and interfered
with discipline.
The officers OF the navy can never
agree upon certain features OF con-
struction and administration, and II
should not be expected because they
are men OF individuality, originality OF
thought and strong convictions This
would be dull world IL there were
only one opinion. Nevertheless, a
wise. well-informed. tactful man at the
head OF the department with thor
ough knowledge Of the navy can han
die the Administration 30 that the
can have the benefit OF the
best ideas and the most efficient ser
vices OF all conflicting minds. Secre-
tary Newberry has done that 10 de-
z. ee that is unprecedented, and the
plan OF reorganization he devised.
which took effect on the first OF the
month, removes the opportunity and
the occasion for conflict and brings
the administration OF all the navy
yards and the entire working force
Of the department under one direction
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