The Washington times., 1909-10-22
Secretary Determined Upon
Complete Reorganization
of Navy.
YOUNGER OFFICERS
WILL BE FAVORED
Following Administrators System
Economy Will Be Adhered
TO Closely.
By JAMES Hay, j.

When Secretary of the Navy
Meyer arrives in this city tomor-
row from Hamilton, Mass, he viii
bring with him practically a fin-
ished outline of his plans for re-
organizing and rendering more ef-
ficient in a military way the United
States Navy.
Mr.. Meyer has put in his time
at Hamilton studying the report Of
the Swift board Of inquiry touch
ing all branches Of the service,
and, according to those in touch
with him here, he VIII ask the
President to recommend to Con
gress the expenditure of less
money for navy yards and navy
bases, and the use of greater sums
Of money for bigger battleships and
larger guns.
SECRETARY'S PLAN.
The Secretary Of the Navy has
set for himself the ambitious task
of completely reorganizing his Ce-
partment with these ends in view:
To make the bureaus work more
harmoniOusIy together.
To decrease unnecessary expenses in
navy yards.
To improve the designing and con-
stTueting Of battleships.
To make the navy Of the United
States the greatest fighting body afOat
today.
He Is not unmindfuI Of the Pres
ident's instructions that economy In
the service shall be enforced in
view Of the Governments lack of
funds. But he is also given the ad-
vantage of the proviso that there
shall be enforced no economy
which will interfere with the ef-
hciency OF the navy as 9 fighter.
New Board Expected.
Although he has made no open an
nounoemeut OF the fact. It Is more than
OF military design TO take the placs
OF the board OF construction which now
designs the new battIsships. Mr. Msy-
er's investigations Of the matter have
led him TO believe that this country naa
followed too closely the naval designing
OF European countries. and it Is his
idea that the United States should come
10 the front as tle leader instead of
an imitator In this highly important
branch OF the service.
ha heas. s4fr1F4 81
Congress for S0.O0o-ton battIeships car
rying 14-inoh guns. This is an entirely
feasible plan. and Mr.. Meyer Is said
10 favor It But he desires not oniy the
increased size IN the fighting apparatus.
He viii expect the designers 70 turn
out boats which VIII be superior IN
fighting details to the boats OF the other
great maritime powers.
In his plan for reducing the number
OF navy yards in the country, he realizes
that he viii run against the opposition
OF Congressman and Senators in whose
States or districts navy yards are now
located. But he takes the position that,
II Congress wants to assume the posi-
ton of erippling the navy by retain
ing pieces OF political pork" he will
not countenance II. He Is credited with
Of the greatest value, and IL is more
shan likely that his plan contemplates
the closing of the Southern yards.
What he IS extremely anxious TO at
tain is a few large, exceuently equip
ped navy yards by means OF the econ
oTly made possible through the closing
CT those less serviceable.
Policy Is Fixed.
The Secretary has paid particular at
tentton TO this phase Of the subject,
and, since the return of AdmiTals Capps
and Rodgers from Europe, where they
made a study OF the European yards
and naval bases, he has had reports
from them which shed much light on
The matter In line with increasing eff
cheney in the yards. he has fixed on the
policy of having Shem commanded by
younger men and OF sending command
ants to sea for varying periods. believY
ing that IN this way he Will keep thf
land part OF the service IN closer touch
and cooperation with the fleets
The plans Of Mr.. Meyer are OF the
greatest Significance when II Is remem-
bered he had several conferences with
President Taft last summer at Beverly,
az which ti;ne the President practically
indorsed the views for the Secretary or
the Navy. In spite OF the talk OF econ
Omy, the President would be one OF the
last to impair the efficiency Of the navy
by retrenchment. and. while he is glad
TO see the opportunities for economy in
some phases OF the Meyer plans, he
viii doubtless support the other phases
which call for more money than has
been the case IN the past.
One OF the personal details Of Mr..
Meyers plans is that he expects 70 90
TO Honolulu within the next year TO in
spect the great naval station there. He
was taken into the Cabinet with the
understanding that he was 70 serve
through the entire administration, and
that his task was 10 make all the i'm
provements possible IN the department
In order to carry this through, he means
TO visit all the points affected BY his