Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-02-04
WOULD UPSET
NAVY BUREAUS
Roosevelt Recommends Entire ReOr-
ganizdtiOn of System.
Says Chiefs Don't Pull Together
Secretary NewberrYs Plan Sum
mariy Pr, ned Aside-Would Run
Navy Yards Same as Private Fac
tories-Urges Capitalization.

Washington, Jan. 28.-President
Roosevelt believes the organization of
the Navy department is not such as to
bring the best results, and he appoint
ed committee today to Consider GER
tain needs of the navy" His action
was somewhat of surprise, in view Of
the fact that the members of the COM
mission appointed today met at Wash
ington two weeks ago and indorsed
Secretary Newberry's plan of reorga-
nization, and in view also of the autho-
rization by the senate of an inquiry in
to naval expenditures and the need, If
any, of legislation to improve the ad-
ministration of the Navy department.
Announcement of the presidents ac-
tion was entirely unexpected at the
Navy department. Mr.. NeWberry ap-
peared to be the most surprised of all.
The president has sent identical let
ters to each of the eight members of
the commission, which is headed by
Paul Morton, ex-secretary of the navy,
the other members being Justice
Moody, also an ex-secretary of the
navy; Judge A. G. Dayton, ex-chair-
man of the house naval affairs com.
mittee, and Rear-Admirals S. B. Luce,
A. T. Mahan, William H. Folger, Rob-
ley D. Evans and w. S. Cowles, all of
whom are on the retired list. The let
ter follows:
"My Dear Sir-I have appointed you
as member of a commission to con-
slider certain needs of the navy. The
organization of the department is now
not such as to bring the best results
and there is failure to coordinate the
work of bureaus and to make the de-
partment serve the one end for which
it was created, that is, the develop
ment and handling of frst-class fight
ing fleets. With this proposition
will ask you to consider:
"First-All defects in the law under
which the Navy department is now or
ganized, including especially the de-
fects by which the authority of chiefs
of the bureaus is made in certain re-
spects practically equal to that of the
secretary or the president.
"Second-The division of response
bility and consequent lack of co-ordina-
tion in the preparation of war ard for
conduct of war.
"Third-The functions of certain
bureaus, as to whether it is not rossi-
BILE to consolidate them.
"Fourth-The necessity of providing
the secretary of the navy with mill
tary advisers who are responsible to
him for co-ordinating the work of the
bureaus and for preparation for war.
"Fifth-The necessity for econom-
ical allotment and disbursement of ap-
preparations and for system which
will insure strict accountability.
"Sixth-Finally, want your views
as to how best to recognize end emrha-
size the strictly military character Of
the navy, so that preparation for war
shall be controlled under the secretary
by the military branch of the navy,
which bears the responsibility for the
successful conduct of war preparations.
II wish to have the above subjects
considered under two general heads:
q. AS to the fundamental princi-
plies of an organization that will insure
an efficient preparation for war in time
of peace.
so. Specific recommendations as to
the changes in the present organiza-
tion that will accomplish these results.
"In addition to the above reports, I
desire your recommendation as to the
number, location and general facilities
of the navy-yards which are required
by strategic considerations in time of
war, and for maintaining the fleet in
constant readiness for war in time of
peace"