New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-05
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
Secretary Meyer Wants Supplies
and Accounts Investigated.
From The Tribune Bureau

TURMOIL IN BUREAU. - Secretary
Meyer is anxious TO have Congress ap-
propriate 900 with which to Investigate
the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts of
the Navy Department. This is urged by
line officers. who believe there is a chance
Of simplifying the keeping track of ex-
penses and making disbursements Of public
money The appropriations from which ex-
penditures are made. whether for pay and
allowances of individuals. purchase Of ma
terial for repairs and renovation of ships
or the acquisition of supplies for main
tenance of navy yards and vessels in COM
mission are under the jurisdiction Of the
paymaster general of the navy. That Off
cial, as is well known. IS not in accord with
the Secretary of the Navy in the matter
of reorganization. Paymaster General RoS-
ers has steadfastIy opposed the Secretary
in The latter's plan for reorganization of
the Navy Department and has recently
appeared before the Senate Navy Commit
tee and expressed his objections to cutting
down the naval supply fund. He Informed
the committee among other things, that
his communications to the Secretary have
been ignored by Mr.. Meyer. and that no
attention was paid TO his recommendations
Paymaster General Rogers added: The
Secretary has not even answered the let
tiers in that particular and emphasized
the absence of official relations between his
office and that Of the head of the Navy
Department 1t IS possible that this state
ment made before the Senate Naval Com
mittee may lead to trouble for the pay
master general It is understood that the
Secretary has made up his mind to appoint
a successor to Rogers when that bureau
chiefs term expires next fall.
In the mean time Mr.. Meyers believes
that some radical changes could be made
in the Bureau OF Supplies and Accounts,
notably in the direction of establishing an
Office of auditor. which shall be a part OF
the Secretary's office and be in charge of
a chief, with d pay officer as an assist
ant who would, members of the pay corps
say 60 the work while the line officer got
the credit, The situation is a further de-
velopment of the recent renewal of the
fight between the line and staff. The ap-
preparation Mr.. Meyer is seeking is intend
ed to be used in the employment OF eX-
pert accountants who would introduce mod
ern and businesslike methods in the Bu-
reAu of Supplies and Accounts. This
change, which has been recommended by
the Swift Board on Navy Reorganization.
would require legislation. With the recent
declaration of illegality of the naval sup
pIy fund and important changes in the
cost accounting system, the Bureau OF sup
plies and Accounts IS in great turIholi
Much anxiety prevails in that branch OF
the Navy Department concerning the out
come. The Secretary has practically ter
minated relations with the PaymaSter gen
eral.
THE DIES MONIES AT MONROVIA.-
The cruiser Des Moines has arrived at
Monrovia, Liberia. to relieve the Rirming-
ham, which will begin series Of tests OF
the new naval wireless system in connec-
tior with the cruiser Salem. endeavoring 10
maintain constant communication with
Rrant.s Rock. on the Massachusetts coast.
over three thousand miles of water. The
Des Moines will remain indefinitely in Lii
berian waters. and it is the understanding
that her commander will endeavor TO i'm
prove political conditions in the little re-
public.
THE SOUTH CAROLTNA'S SFEED.-on
her final acceptance trial yesterday the
hattleship South Carolina showed an i'm
proven1ent of more than 2 knot an hour
over the contract requirement Of 1S5 knots
her actual average for four hours being 10
knots. The last hour of the run was the
best, when the ship made ass knots
! Mr.. MEYER HEARD.-secretary Meyer
appeared before the senate Committee on
! Naval Affairs to-day and explained detalis
| Of the naval bill. The appropriation Tor
! two bsttIeships was considered, but no de-
cision was reached regarding It. 1t was
! expected that several Republican Senators
would make q strong fight against the con-
st,nction of more than one battleship
wear, but the large vote Of the House in
favor of two diminished the chance of a
serious contest. The committee will resume
consideration of the subject tomorrow
! NATTRALIZATION OF ALIENs.-A bill
providing for the naturalization Of aliens
who serve four years in the navy or the
marine corps was passed by the Senate
to-day.
ORDERS IsSUED.-The following orders
have been issued: