The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-30
CHANGES Tn NAVY
PROMISE TROUBLE
Senate AYerse to Presidents
Reorganization Plan,
NEwBERRY IS UNDECIDED
ROOseveIt'S Commission VIII Hold
Meeting Friday to Outline Ideas of
Reform in Naval EsfabIishment,
and Senator Hale Takes Exception
to the Radical Action.

merry row has developed over the
plans for the reorganization Of the naval
establishment.
Secretary Loeb announced yesterday
that the reorganization commission ap-
pointed by President Roosevelt viii meet
in the Office Of the Secretary Of the Navy
next Friday to discuss topics suggested
by the President in his letter to the mem.
bers Of the commission. and 10 develop a
programme for the legislation required.
Secretary Newberry believes that at
present only such reorganization should
be attempted as can be accomplished IN
der existing law Additional legislation.
he thinks, should be deferred until his
scheme OF reorganization has been tested.
His plan contemplates the supervision
Of the various bureaus Of the department
by the general board and the board on
construction, and the absorption OF The
Bureau Of Equipment and Of the Bureau
OF Yards and Docks by other bureaus.
Mr.. Newberry thinks this plan should
be put in operation for several months
before any attempt is made to obtain ad-
ditionai legislation. Mr. Newberry viii
appear before the Senate Naval Affairs
Committee Monday and before the House
Naval Committee thursday TO outline his
ideas.
President Wants Immediate Action.
The President. it Is said. favors imme-
date legislation on the subject He
recommends the establish ment by Law Of
q general staT similar 10 % General stan
OF the army. While the President has ap-
proved the various reorganization plans
already placed IN operation BY Secretary
Newberry. he believes. it was said. that
Mr. Newberry's plan is not sufficiently
comprehensive in its scope to remedy all
the existing defects in che departmental
organization
Senator Hale. chairman OF the Senate
Naval Committee. and the most influential
member Of Congress in regard 20 naval
legislation, is not wholly. II at al, IN
sympathy with the Presidents plan for
a radical and an immediate reorganization
Of the navy. While Senator Hale IS
credited with being an advocate OF naval
reorganization, he IS understood 10 hold
that II should be thorough SID gradual.
He takes exception TO the personnel Of
President ROosevelt's reorganization
commission. which does not include a
representative from either branch Of the
Congress Senator Hale takes the ground
that II a programme OF legislation is 70
be worked out for the reform OF the navy,
Congress should have a hand In II.
His IDEAS Of naval reform are repre-
scented in a resolution introduced by him
which passed the Senate last Monday. d.
recting the Naval Committee OF the Sen
ate 70 make a full investigation OF ex-
penditure and administration OF the navy
and 10 report 10 the Senate what, If any,
additional legislation is necessary.
It VIII be almost impossible for these
wide differences OF opinion 70 be recon
ciled before the close OF the present ad-
ministrati0n OF Congress. Il is likely
the whole question. as far as Congress
Is concerned. viii be postponed untn next
winter