Evening star., 1909-02-25

limit the authority of the secretary
but it does provide him with the
weightiest and most instructed coun-
sci, and it lays upon the prospective
in-chef the solemn charge
that in all he recommends he is sowing
for future which he himself may have
to reap.
An essential principle in the consti-
tuition of such an advisory body is that
the majority of the members should be
on the active list and should go afloat
at not infrequent Intervals; and. spe-
officially, the head of the body. the
prospective commando in -chief. should
during the summer months take COM
mand of the concentrated battlesnip
force. for maneuyers. target firing and
practice of every kind. This will IN
sure also his sustained familiarity with
administrative routine of the fleet and
other practical matters.
8. In the two principal classes into
which the duties of the Secretary of the
ciated in section ., above. the work civil
corresponds largely to the activities
known as technical; and there is TO
reason apparent why the same principle
Of undivided immediate responsibility
should not be realized in the Navy De-
partment in two chief subordinates, re-
sponsible, the one for military supervi-
sion, the other for technical supervision.
and for all information and advice given
to the Secretary under these two heads.
fectly suitable Secretary may come to his
office with as little previous knowledge of
the kind called technical as he has of
military: nay. he may be perfectly EN-
years of office either the technical or mill
tary knowledge presumable In men whose
lives have been given to the two profess
sions. Under the most favorable condi-
largely on advice. which means not ac-
cepting another's opinion blindly, but ac-
cepting statements of facts and weighing
reasons.
The principle of the Secretary's ultimate
individual responsibility dictates that he
be at liberty to consult as many advisers
as he thinks necessary; but the principle
of the individual responsibility OF two
chief advisers, for the advice given, tends
to insure the most exhaustive considera-
tion on the part of men selected for their
special competency. Careful consideration
with special competency give the best
guarantees for advice; and Secretary
overruling it would do so under the
weightfeSt sense of personal responsibility.
AS a matter Of detail. but yet SO broad
in bearing as to amount to principle.
1t may be noted that while the adjective
military" is somewhat narrow in appli-
cation, technical Is extensive in scope.
Naval construction ordnance and steam
engineering are all technical professions.
The selection of chief technical as
sistant to the secretary might therefore
be made from the recognized technical ex-
perts Of the navy. under any of the three
heads named. or a competent civilian en-
gineer and naval architect may be ap-
pointed as second assistant secretary of
the navy, under whom the four technical
bureaus may be co-ordinated.
Success in Warfare.
{. In conclusion. it should de distinctly
laid down as a cardinal principle that no
scheme Of naval organization can possibly
be effective which does not recognize that
the requirement Of war is the true stand
ard Of efficiency in an administrative mill
tary system: that success in war and VIC
tory In battle can be assured only by that
constant preparedness and that superior
fighting efficiency which logically result
from placing the control and responsibility
In time of peace upon the same individuals
and the same agencies that must control
in time OF war.
of method in expanding from state of
peace to state of war. This is not
militarism; it is a simple business prin-
ciple based upon the fact that success I'm
war is the only return the people and
the nation can get from the investment
of many millions in the building and
maintenance Of great navy.
Washington, D. c., February Is, 1Jv?.
Inc fTeSlQcnt. Inc commission on ma
val organization appointed by executive
communication, dated January q, 1909,
begs leave to submit the following pre-
liminary report on the 'Needs of the
Navy" ETC.:
The last clause Of your letter of in
structions reads as follows
:.'1n addition to the above reports I de-
sire your recommendation as to the num-
ber, location and general facilities of the
navy yards which are required by strate-
gic consideration in time of war, and for
maintaining the heet in constant read
mess for war in time Of peace"
The two subjects when taken together
the dispensing with unnecessary navy
yards and the provision for navy yards
which are required "by strategic consid-
Grafton in time Of war. and for maintain
ing the fleet in constant readiness for
war in time OF peace" are questions OF
such gravity and demand so much care
full study that 1t would be impractical
BILE for the commission to bring in even
a preliminary report Of any value in the
limited time available.
The determination Of the location of
navy yards and naval bases being a
question involving military and strategic
considerations of the highest national
Importance, We venture to recommend
that at the earliest practicable date this
subject be referred to join commission
of senior naval officers and officers of
the United States Army. which will be
President.
The Joint Commission.
In accordance with the last report of
the commission on naval organization,
have appointed a joint commission of
army and navy officers to report on the
subjects named therein. the commission
consisting of the following men:
Rear Admiral A. T. Mahan. U.S.N.. re-
tired, chairman: Rear Admiral Richard
8. Sperry, U.SN.: Rear Admiral Richard
Wainwright. Us. n: Capt. c. MGR. Wins
low U.S.N.; Maj. Cen J. Franklin Bell,
US.A.. chief of staff; Brig. Gen. W. w.
Wotherspoon. U.s.A., general staff. presi-
dent Army War College: Brig. Gen. w.
L. Marshall, U.S.A., chief of engineers.
The appointment of this commission is
peculiarly appropriate in view Of action
already taken by the joint board of the
army and navy. q board the existence
Of which has been of marked benefit to
the two services. This board, after dis
cussing questions relating to the mutual
relations of the arm and navy in defend
by the navy for the establishment of
navy yards and naval stations, reached
the conclusion that thereafter whenever
the army was engaged in the preparation
OF plans for the defense OF q harbor
which would be used by the navy the
project for defending the harbor should
be submitted to the representatives of
the navy on the joint board before final
adoption with the view to having the
navy.
On the other hand. whenever the navy
was planning to locate a navy yard Or
naval station. which 1t would be the duty