The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-07-28

The discussion respecting the changes
which are necessary IN naval administra-
ton continues, with the usual variety OF
original suggestion. Ingenuity and art
lessness will be Identified as the chief
characteristics OF a proposition which IS
advanced by Rear Admiral c. F. Good
rich. U. S. N. retired. IN a comment
he has impaired to the United States
Naval Institute in a series OF papers de-
voted TO the subject OF the reorganiza-
ton OF the naval establishment. In the
course Of his enlightenment OF a vexa-
tious situation, Rear Admiral Goodrich
says:
Navy yards FOR the navy viii come about when
no member OF either the House or Senate Naval
Committee represents district In which naval sta
ton IS placed It is understood that Mr. SPEAKER
Caunou's views along these lines. I think it
would be well If the Senate wero to govern itself
similarly"
1t has hitherto been considered that
the navy would prosper in proportion 10
the presence on the House and Senate
Naval Committees Of men who. by reason
OF the geographical location OF their dis
tricts, were compelled 20 take lively
interest IN the welfare and the develop
ment Of the service. A member IN whose
district is located a navy yard or
naval station is naturally concerned IN
obtaining for that establishment the
maximum appropriation. II that means
anything, It assuredly stands for I'M
provement Of plant. which. to the civilian
mind at least IS a token OF creating a
navy yard 'for the navy" 1t does not
appear in anything which Rear Admiral
Goodrich has written. on this occasion, at
least, just how and TO what extent
or in what direction navy yards, as they
are now equipped and operated, are not
'for the navy"
There has been much said Of the I'M
businessnke conduct OF navy yards. but
that is a question Of administration
with which the House and Senate Naval
Committees IN particular, or Congress IN
general. have precious little 70 do. II has
been considered that the Congressmen
from the interior viii entertain views
less liberal toward the naval establish
ment than may be expected Of Repre-
sentatiyes and Senators who come from
the seacoast States. and they probably
would net consider themselves lacking IN
any particle OF patriotism II they cut
down gil the estimates and refused 10
provide in the naval appropriation bill
for tho increase or the navy as recon-
mended by the Navy Department each
year. Rear Admiral Goodrich must pos
sess the notion that the naval influence
will be more effective with Representa-
lives and Senators who know nothing OF
and care less concerning the naval es-
adjustment than with members who
represent districts in which naval sta
tons are placed. The experiment might
be worth trying II Rear Admiral Good
rich could arrange the compc sitlon Of the
House and Senate Naval Committees, but
It does not stand 10 reason that naval
legislation would be any more "for tho
navy" than 1t has been in the last twenty
years. no matter how radical might be
the changes in the process Of providing
for the naval service. The simplest way
to accomplish what is desired FOR the
navy rests within the Navy Depart
ment and not at the Capitol