The Washington herald., 1909-05-07

DenOuncing certain changes recently
attempted in the engineering system Of
the navy by former Secretary Truman II
Newberry, and terning the Improvements
made by that Official as absolutely sub
ve-sive TO all efficiency and economy.
Rear Admiral Melville. retired. last night
addressed the American Society Of Engi-
neers
It was the work at the navy yards 20
wiich the speaker addressed himself par
ticuiarIy. a,d this aspect OF engineering
in ire navy. which suffered d radical
change in the last six weeks Of the
Roosevelt administration. was caustically
criticised.
The ballroom at the New Willard was
flled with visiting scientists Of The en-
gineer society. and by their applause they
demonstrates their approval Of the senti-
ments expressed by the admiral
Although he censured certain other
schemes evolved from Nir Newberry's
own inner consciousness. Admiral Mel
Vile touched principally upon the gen
erai conditions existing in the executive
side Of engineering as affecting the 0per-
alton and integrity Of the machinery al
sea
He CAV. pertinent consideration to the
maintenance Of or prestige as leaders in
The production Of machinery OF The high
est type. incidentally recalling plumbers
OF the former Secretary.
Respects 10 Former Secretary.
Speaking upon the navy-yard question,
which has recently caused much trouble
10 Secretary Meyer through the mild re-
volt II officers at League Island PhiladeI-
phia, Admiral Melville said.
As most Of you are aware, this aspect
Of the engineering question has been
very prominently before tie public in
recent months or. perhaps 1t would be
more accurate 10 say during the latter
part Of the regime Of the last Secretary
Of the Navy
1T IS probable that the system which
prevailed in the navy yards, being OF hU-
man origin. was not perfect. and that
some improvements might have been
made. but I am free 10 say that the
changes IN the system. which had lasted
Tor many years. were in my judgment
absolutely subversive Of all efficiency and
economy. and utterly opposed 10 the
methods which all experience has shown
70 be necessary for securing the highest
efficiency.
Briefly, this change consisted in abol-
ishing the separate departments in the
navy yards and consolidating their ad-
nlinistration under one officer. whose
work. while a vital element in the build
ing of 2 ship was certainly not the only
important part. and, moreover, was so
different in its nature from the other de-
partments which were absorbed that It is.
obvious that he could not be an expert
on these other lines.
To me It is so marvellous as 10 be al
most beyond belief that in this age Of
specialization a movement so absolutely
counter TO the spirit OF the age should
take place in the name Of economy and
reform.
II the great ship yards IN civil Ife.
or the great manufacturing establish
ments. or the dock yard administration
of other countries. has been different from
the methods employed in our navy yards.
q change would al least have been indi-
Gated. II. in the other places 10 which
have referred. n system somewhat ike
the one which II has been attempted 70
introduce in our navy yards was in
vogue. there could be some understanding
OF such a change.
feT
rnony 20 the fact that the recent designs
Of the Bureau Of Steam Engineering have
been highly creOiIable in every way In
saving this. I feel a touch Of personal
pride. for the reason that the men who
have been doing this work were formerly
my assistants and received most Of their
experience during my term Of of5ce. 7
am naturally pleased that the record
which vas made during my term IS being
maintained.
Plans 10 niSeredIt.
When such praise as this can be given
in simple truth. what can be thought Of
the official who plans 70 discredit the
men who have such a good record. and
destroy the autonomy Of The bureau bv
subordirating it TO the bureau charged
with the design Of hulls? believe Won
viii agree that my service OF a lifetime
in the navy and my record as the head Of
= great bureau in the department. the
longest since the civil war. entitle nv
opinion 70 some weight, and 1 want IN
register my earnest conviction that any
such scheme Of consolidation can only
bring inefnciepcy. retrogression. and
waste.
The facts are. however. that in its es-
sential features OUr navy yard admins
tratiOn was along the very lines when
obtained II foreign dock Yards IN the
great ship yards at home and abroad. and
.Contipued on Page II, Column ,.