The Washington herald., 1910-02-18

At the executive session Of the House
Committee on Naval Affairs yesterday
Secretary Of the Navy Meyer appeared
TO make his last appeal for the adoption
Of his plan of naval reorganization. 1t
was as lively session as any that body
has held since the controversy along this
line warmed up with the convening OF
Congress-
Secretary Meyer went after Rear Ad-
miral Rodgers. the naval paymaster gen.
eral, and handled him without gloves.
He fatty contradicted Admiral Rodgers
statement before the Naval Affairs Com
mittee that he was the inventor OF the
cost keeping system at navy yards, and
also took exception TO his assertion that
the system was in operation in eight
yards. According 10 the Secretary the
system is in operation in only one yard,
and not completely at that
Discussing Admiral Rodgers testimony
to the effect that the system cost moth
ing. Secretary Meyer insisted that as a
matter of fact it had already cost S90, 900
for its partial installation in the one yard
referred to-Boston-and would cost $4,000
more before in complete working order.
Capps Endorsed Plan.
Another interesting feature OF the ses-
sion was the presentation to the commit
tee by Secretary Meyer Of an osicial in
dorsement Of the substance OF the Meyer
plan from Chief Constructor Capps, who
is now so bitterly opposed to it.
This was a recommendation from the
chief constructor that authority over
hulls and machinery be divided In the
navy yards, and was made TO the then
Secretary Of the Navy some years ago.
before the Newberry plan went into ef-
feet, and before the chief constructor
enjoyed the complete power which he did
under it.
According to those members Of the COM
mittee VINO look with favor on the
Meyer plan, and who have been standing
by the Secretary, he took the testimony
given by Chief Constructor Capps with
reference TO the naval organization meth
ods in British and German navy yards,
and was able 10 demonstrate that not
only did Mr.. Capps' figures and facts
bear out his conclusions. but that. as
matter of fact, the matter he presented
amounted substantially TO proof that the
plan proposed by the Secretary is right
in line with the very latest schemes in
use in the navy yards OF the two gov
ernments mentioned.
Proves Something Is Wrong.
Taking the controversy which grew out
OF the varying facts and figures presented
by Chief Constructor Capps and Rear
Admiral Hutch Cone, chief of the Bureau
Of Steam Engineering, as basis, Mr.
Meyer insisted that this very proposition
proved that something was wrong under
the present system, and that a change
was imperative. He pointed out that in
asmuch as the Bureau of Steam Engineer
ing. whose money was being spent for a
certain purpose, with responsibility rest
ing in the bureau, had one set Of figures,
and the Bureau of Construction. which
was spending the money, but was not re-
sponsible, had another set-both sets pass
ing through the managing constructor in
charge Of a yard-that il was high time
some change was made to correct the
possibility of such conditions continuins
TO exist.
At the conclusion Of the session a r.
publican member OF the committee. w
usually knows what he is talking about.
said that the committee stood approxi
mately TO I In favor Of the plan pro-
posed by the Secretary. and that he would
be authorized 10 put it into complete op-
GRAFTON for one year.