The National tribune., 1909-08-05

agreed upon some recommendations. Those
Secretary Meyer promptly put into force.
They presented d majority and minority
report. the staff members, Capps. Rogers
and HOllyday being the dissenting Off
GERS. These questions, over which they
could not agree. are being studied further.
To be sure they were the larger ques-
tions in the management of navy yards,
but large efforts are under way 20 ascer-
tain the wisest policies A new board
has been created TO sift the first report
with reference 10 the work of the Bureaus
OF Steam Engineering and of Construction
and Repair. The commandauts of yards
all along the Atlantic Coast have been in
vited TO discuss ward management. Ad-
miral Rodgers has been sent to Europe
to observe the management of navy yards
there. The naval attaches abroad have
been directed 10 report upon some fea-
lures of the situation. AT the same time
reports are being gathered regarding the
management of private ship yards in the
United States. with view TO adopting
some of their best business methods
While Secretary Meyer is aware that the
demands upon a navy yard in military
efficiency and otherwise are somewhat
different than anything required of pri-
rate shipyard, he believes the application
OF modern business methods to the Gov
ernInent's work wOnd be beneficial.
This volume. of information, which the
Secretary has been seeking. is now COM
ing into his office. BY Autumn he Will
have exhaustive data and reports. These
will guide him to his decisions in the
management of navy yards and in deter
mining how much of the present arrange
mert shall be permanent. Men of good
judgment think the Secretary is on the
right track.
His adminiStra lion has been vigorous
and positive. Recently he began removing
retired officers from active duty and put
ting well equipped young officers in their
places. This is pronounced a very desira-
bic change. The Secretary has taken pains
to keep in personal touch with the bu--
reaus and rhe various boards. He has
been attending the meetings of the Cen
eral Board, an innovation. Staff officers
said this was injudicious. The line,
which is represented solely in the General
Board, would prejudice the Secretary. But
before that gossip had gotten we'll into
circulation. the Secretary had called Il
meeting of the Bureau Chiefs in his of
flee. Every branch of the staff service is
represented among these chiefs and the
meetings are being continued. The Secre-
t9ry has gotten into closer touch with fhe
business of the Department by these
meetings, which have promoted good teei-
ing and encouraged cooperation.
The Naval Committees of Congress
nave DeeD consulted from time 10 tlmc.
They are less hostile than they have been
toward some other Secretaries. Some of
their members grumble over the PROPOSE
tion for building two new Dreadnaughts a
year. and enlisting 5000 more Jackies. but
they like the prnmp;ness with which the
Secretary cut the Naval estimates
S1O!NbU.0U0
The Secretary is looking to the best in
terests of the service in many things be-
yond the immediate field in which he has
been more actively engaged. He has given
sufficient attention to questions Of battle
ship construction TO decide upon board
of design. which he will name from the
best equipned officers he can find in the
Navy. j. will supplement the work of
the Beard Of CONSTRUCTION.
These things Indicate in outline the
preparatory work that Secretary Meyer
has done. His administration has been in
dependent. ai,ho careful at every stage.
1t has rcse'nblei in many particulars the
Of the late Secretary Whit
ney. whose work as head of his Depart
ment was q model TO many of his success
sors.