The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-28
WANTS PLANS FOR THE NAVY Roosevelt Appoints a
 Commission. THE SECRETARY IS IGNORED Paul Morton and Associates Asked
 to Advise. President Thinks Entire Department Should Be Recognized and Asks
 fer Recomme ndations to
 That End.

Washington, Jan. 27.-Prssident Roosevelt is of the opinion that the reorganization of the Navy Department is not such as to bring the best re- suits. and today he appointed com mission whose announced duty 1t will be to consider certain needs of the navy"
 The Presidents action was somewhat of surprise in view of the fact that the members of the commission ap- pointed today, two weeks ago, met at Washington and endorsed Secretary Newberry's plan of reorganization, and in view, also of the authorization by the Senate of an inquiry into naval ex- penditures, the conduct of business and the need, if any, of legislation to improve the administrator of the Navy Department.
 The announcement of the Presidents intention was entirely unexpected at the Navy Department.
 Secretary Newberry. who today had issued an order carrying out his pro- posed plan, with particular reference to the navy yards, appeared to be the most surprised of all. His informa- tion on the subject had come to him from the press.
 The President has sent identical let- ters to each of the eight members of the commission, which Is headed by Paul Morton, a former Secretary of the Navy. the other members being Justice Moody also former Secre- tary of the Navy; Judge A. c. Dayton of New York. chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, and Rear Admirals s. B. Luce, A. T. Mahan, Will liam M. Folger, Robley D. Evans, and William S. Cowles, all of whom are on the retired list.
 RoOseveit's Letter.
 The letter Is as follows:
 January 27, 1909.
 My Dear Sir--I have appointed you as a member of a commission to con- slider crtain needs of the navy. The organization of the department is now not such as to bring the best results. and there Is a failure to coordinate the work of the bureaus and to make the department serve the one end for which 1t was created, that Is, the de- velopment and handling of a first class fighing fleet With this propo- sition in view, I will ask you to con- slider:
 "First-All defects in the law under which the Navy Department is now organized, including especially the de- fects by which the authority of chiefs of bureaus is made in certain respects practically equal to that of Secretary or President.
 "Second-The division of responsi- bility and consequent lack of co-ordt- nation in the preparations for war and the conduct of war.
 "Third-The deductions of certain bureaus as to whether 1t Is possible to consolidate them.
 "Fourth-The necessity of providing the Secretary of the Navy with mili- tary advisers, who are responsible to him for co-ordinating the work of the bureaus and for preparation for war.
 ''Fifth-The necessity for economical allotment and disbursements of appro- priations and a system which Will tn- sure strict accountability.
 "Sixth-Finally, I want your views as to how best to reorganize and em- phasize the strictly military character of the navy, so that preparations for far shall be controlled under the Sec Ietary by military branch of the navy, which bears the responsibility for the successful conduct of war operations.
 "I wish to have the above subjects considered under two general heads:
 "First-As to the fundamental prin- ciples of an organization that will in- sure an efficient preparation for war in time of peace, a separate report un- der this head to be submitted at the earliest practicable date.
 "Second-Specifc resolutions as to the changes in the present organiza- ton that will accomplish this result. the report under this head to be sub mitted later.
 "In addition to the above reports, 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.
 "Sincerely yours,
 Theodore Roosevelt"
 Newberry Had an Order.
 Preceding by several hours the Pres ident's announcement was the issuance of a general order by Secretary New berry, which had been approved by the President designed to carry into efct the Secretarys naval reorganization plans so far as they pertain to the navy yards and naval stations.
 It's general purport Is to consolidate the manufacturing force at navy yards. and it's effect will be to make the com mandant resemble, in his connection with yard work, the President of large industrial plant.
 The purport of the order was out lined by Secretary Newberry in a gen. eral statement made today. The or der itself prescribes in detail the meth ods by which the plan Is to be put into erect and the assignment of duties to respective officers. On Feb. 13. the are to forward to the M. TNo,,a rtD,aot renort of what has