Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1909-01-29
PRESIDENT BACK
OF 4 NAVY PROBE
ROOSEVELT NAMES COMMITTEE TC
INVESTIGATE AND SENSATION
is EXPECTED.
TERCONGRESSMAN'S HiDESf
Are Solons Directly interested in Ship
yards Will Be One Question to
Have Answered.
ACTION CAUSES BIG SURPRISE

WASHINGTON. d. c., Jan. 2S.-
Are any congressman pecuniarily interest
ed. as shareholders or otherwise, in ship
yards at which government vessels are
constructed? An Investigation of the
question will, it is reported, precipitate
great sensation to mark the closing
days of President Roosevelt's admins
tratlon and be the climax of the devel-
opments which have marked the relations
between the executive and legislative
branches of the government.
The President has constituted a COM
mission ito consider certain needs of the
navy" and addressed the commission a
letter suggesting the scope of its inquiry.
Ii is reported that the commission in the
course OF Its investigation naturally will
go INTO the question of the efficiency of
private shlpyardS This will be for the
purpose OF ascertaining definitely the
capacIty OF the concerns,>especially with
regard to the facilities for turning out
rush work III cases of emergency.
The commission viii, it is stated, OBJ
tam not only the names of the officers of
the different concerns, but also lists of
STOCK or shareholders, including all who
are INDIVIDUALITY pecuniarily interested in
them. These lists are expected to show
the names of congressman. and it is re-
ported that prominent among them will
be certain New England senators.
Action Comes as Surprise.
President Roosevelt is of the opinion
that the organization of the navy depart
ment IS not such as to bring the best
results. The Presidents action in ap-
pointing TINS new commission, was some
what OF surprise in view of the fact
that the members of the commission APP
pointed yesterday two weeks ago met at
" ashlngton and Endorsed Secretary
NeWberry,s plan of reorganization, and
IN view also of the authorization by the
Senate of an inquiry into naval eXpendi-
lures, the conduct of business and the
need, If any, of legislation to improve
the administration of the navy depart
ment
Announcement of the Presidents
action was entirely unexpected at the
navy department Secretary Newberry,
who had issued an order carrying out
his proposed plan, with particular refer
ence to the navy yards, appeared to be
the most surprised of all. He declared
that he was not aware that the Presi-
lent had taken such action, had not seen
the letter of appointment addressed to
the various members of the commission
and did not know the purport of the let
ter addressed to them. His first in
formation on the subject had come to
him from the press
Members of Commission
The President has sent identical let
tiers to each of the eight members of the
commission, which is headed by Paul
Morton, former secretary of the navy,
the other members being Justice Moody,
also former secretary Of the navy;
Judge \. G. Dayton, formerly chairman
of the House naval affairs committee.
II I1iIs lie
Mahan William NJ. Folger, Robley d.
Evans and William S. Cowles, all of
whom are on the retired list. He sets
out certain subjects for the commission
to consider under two general heads, first
as to the fundamental principles of an
organization that will insure an efficient
preparation for war in time of peace,
and, secondly, specific recommend atoms
as to the changes i'll the present organi-
cation that will accomplish this result.