The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-30
HOBSON BROADSIDE
FIRED AT MEYER
Secretary Criticised Before
Naval Committee.
OUTCOME OF OLD BUREAU ROW
Following stormy Hearing at Cnpi-
tOI, Chairman FOss Is Directed 10
Urge senate Committee 10 Restore
TO Bill Provision Authorizing Mr..
Meyer 20 Carry Out Scheme.

Secretary Of the Navy George Won L.
Meyer. when he appeared before the
House Naval Affairs Committee yester-
day, was made the object Of an attack
by Representative Hobson, OF Alabama.
The Congressman. who is a member OF
the committee. and who Is understood
at the Capitol 10 represent the opposi-
tion Of Rogers and Capps to the Sec
retary's programme, virtually accused Mr..
Meyer Of having gone TO the committee
TO urge II 10 lobby for his reorganization
scheme at the Senate. The statement
was not permitted 70 pass unchallenged.
Representative Roberts. OF DIassachu-
setts, objecting and declaring that he
could not permit such a charge 20 90
into the record.
Although the meeting was executive,
enough leaked out 20 make Il apparent
that a pretty stormy session occurred, In
which Secretary Meyer kept his temper
and did not even reply in detail to the
allegations Of the Alabama member, who
created the stir.
Was Stricken Ont by HObson.
After hearing had been concluded. the
Foss 70 90 before the Naval Committee
Of the Senate and recommend that the
Senate put back in the naval appropria-
ton bin provision permitting the Secre-
tary to use appropriations for the various
bureaus Of the department interchange
ably. This provision was included in the
bill, as # was agreed upon by the House
committee. but went out in the House on
point Of order raised by Mr.. Hobson.
Secretary Meyer appeared before the
committee yesterday morning 10 inform
them that by virtue Of an opinion by the
Attorney General he could not continue 20
transfer clerks and work from one bu-
reau to another Of the department For
one thing. he could not keep the Bureau
OF Equipment without a chief
He asked the committee to take some
action looking toward the establishment
OF permanent order in the department.
and recommended that either the bureau
OF equipment be abolished. or an act
passed authorizing him to use appropria-
tons interchangably. The suggestion was
then made by the committee that Chair
man Foss take up the matter with the
Senate committee with a view TO having
restored TO the bill the necessary authori-
cation which Mr.. Hobson had succeeded
in striking out
Just then Capt. Hobson entered the
committee room. He Immediately sub
jected Secretary Meyer 20 a rapid fire OF
questions. which before long had aroused
the resentment Of the committee mem
bers, although Mr.. Meyer If ho felt ag-
grieved. did not show his feelings.
Applied to Nevberry Plan.
According 10 members Of the committee
who were willing to discuss the incident,
Capt. Hobson sought to make it appear
that the opinion Of the Attorney General
was such that the Secretary could not
carry out his programme. or so-called
scheme as q whole. under the law.
when, as matter Of fact, the opinion Of
the Attorney General was given on a
phase Of the old Newberry plan.
Capt Hobson, it was said. virtually
charged that Secretary Meyer was ureina,
the committee 10, in turn, urge the Senate
committee 70 restore authorization to him
TO interchange appropriations pending the
final disposition Of Congress Of the oues-
tion Of naval reorganization This state |
ment created a storm Of protest. Mr.
Roberts denied that Secretary Meyer had
IT, and objected to the state |
ment Of his colleague going into the
record.