The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-01-06
SHALL THOMPSON,
As NAVY HEAD, BE-
CREDITED TO N. J.?

ously Interfere with the States getting
other big and coveted plums like an
ambassadorship, for instance. SO it is
that Republican leaders are anxiously
anything the news of the result of the
Taft-Thompson "golf game" today.
Colonel Thompson arrived at Augusta
yesterday. He registered at the Bon
Air Hotel. He went to the South at
the invitation of Mr.. TAFT. The fact
that his visit, which must terminate
on Thursday, owing to personal plans
previously made, is c%oincident with
that of Senator Philander c. Knox,
who is to be Mr. Taft's secretary Of
State. is regarded as most significant.
A dispatch from Augusta TO THE
EVENING STAR reads:
Colonel Thompson RETAINED from
discussing political affairs. Strong and
unselish friends of the American navy.
irrespective of geographical location.
have urged Upon Mr.. Taft the wisdom
of selecting this eminent New Yorker
Cnote he is called an eminent New
Yorker in the dispatch), for the navy
portfolio on the ground of his admira-
bic fitness for the post, because of his
ANNiifli11i - i'EI ltAiots ali4ih WIN iioliti-
cal knowledge, and his wide experience
with business affairs, as well as inti-
mate knowledge of the essential equip
mcnts of modern American statesman
ship.
Il am en- route to Florida said
Colonel Thompson, and | stopped over
in Augusta to play off a tie game of
golf in which Judge Taft and / became
involved some weeks ago at Hot
Springs, Va. On Thursday / shall con
tinue my journey to Miami, FLA My
houseboat is awaiting me there, and
with a party of friends | intend to
spend some time fishing off the Florida
Keys
Views on Navy Reorganization.
Colonel Thompson believes, accord
ing 10 his intimate friends, that the
proposed reorganization of the navy
should be conducted from within that
department. He is regarded as believ-
ing that if there is need of the weed
ing process the navy should be given
the chance to weed its own garden
This is understood to be the atti-
tude of earnest naval officers and of
the navy's unselhsh friends. The lat
Ter have opposed the plan which
President Roosevelt was attributed
with considering of appointing a mixed
up commission consisting of civilians
and naval and military officers to re-
organize the department. They hold
that interference Of military experts in
naval affairs tends to confusion. What
they ask is that the nav be let alone
in working out it's own plans if cor
receive measures are needed.
Briefly put, Colonel Thompson's
friends assert that he would have re
organization plans contemplating ad-
vancing naval officers to fleet COM
mands at such an age that compare
lively extended periods of service
would face them. As matters now
stand, it is held men arrive at these
important posts only to find them
selves separated from the retired list
by a margin of but a few years. This
condition, due to a system enforced
more than thirty years ago, has re-
suited, it is pointed out, in the old
leaders retiring without adequate ar
rangements having been made fol
younger men to take their places.
Colonel Thompson's friends believe
tHdl he Woutd IaNOf SucH feoTBdHlzd-
ton as would result in conditions ap-
proximating the most modern business
organization. They hold that he would
favor having each bureau chief direct
ly under the head of the department
and in the line of business organiza-
ton allow the latter two assistants
who would serve somewhat as business
partners in a firm. Such a course
these supporters hold, would remov'
any possible interference of politics.