The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-07
INSTRUMENTATION in Navy Department.

The situation in the Navy Department
increases in acuteness in the relations OF
the Secretary Of the Navy and the Pay
master General, who is the chief of one
of the bureaus of the department-that
of supplies and accounts. According to
what appears TO be an authorized state
ment In the New York Herald, the Pay
master General has reluctantly carried
out the orders OF his superior officer.
The trouble comes from Mr. Meyers eff
fort 20 establish his plan of naval reor-
ganization. connected with which project
has been the discovery that the naval
supply fund. as organized for the accu-
mutation OF stores and materials for naval
use. was on an illegal basis This was
founded on an opinion rendered by the
Attorney General. and steps were at once
taken 10 reduce the naval supply fund
from 100000 to less than 100000. The
proceeding involves many technical de-
tails. and IL is not necessary TO dwell
upon that phase Of the case. 1t is inter
esting. however. to learn that in the ad-
justment Of the difficulties the Paymaster
General has. according to a statement at
tributed to Secretary Meyer. failed 70
carry out the instructions Of the Navy
Department
or course. the PaymaStcr General is
not imparting any information on the
subject That would be an example Of
INSTRUMENTATION OF which that official Is
incapable. At the same time, information
has been impaired 70 the House and
Senate Naval Committees showing that
the Paymaster General has made a spe-
cial point OF obedience 20 departmental
orders and instructions as has the chief
constructor Of the navy. BY this very
proper proceeding. both bureau chiefs
have fortified themselves against action
on the part OF superior authority for dis
obedience. II seems TO as that the Sccre-
tary OF the Navy. II the statement
attributed 10 him is correctly given.
should do something beside share his
condolences and grievances with newspaper
reporters. on the other hand, the officer
/ who is accused OF such a serious breach
Of discipline should have an opportunity
| to defend himself. or. Al least, 20 make
an explanation which shall either re-
establish him i'm good favor or make him
the subject of the inevitable measures
which follow the disregard Of the service
rules Of recognition Of authority and
/ obedience 20 orders.
The conditions in the Navy Department
have reached that stage which CLOSELY
resembles Decentralization Of Administrative,
function This may sound sensational
but il appears 20 be justified by the
statement of those who should know OF
the condition Of affairs. When official reIa
tons terminate between the head Of a
department and one or more Of the bu.
reau chiefs it is time that some steD,
were taken to apply a remedy. We shall
not presume. I'm view Of the meager. in
formation obtainable in this psrticula,
instance. TO lend our valuable advice Z,
the head OF the Navy Department. Mr.
Meyer is man Of much business experi
ence. He has been prominently and init
mately Identified with large Industrial
and financial institutions in New England
and ought TO be able to run the Nav,
Department without journalistic aid. or
for that matter, depending on the news
papers for bringing his bureau chiefs L
his terms. AZ all events. e is high tim
something was done TO stop the turmot
, in the Navy Department