The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-03

II conditions in the navy. with refer
ence to reorganization, were ever in a
more chaotic state than at present then
there doesn't seem to be any member Of
the House Committee on Naval Affairs
or OF the department who IS willing TO
admit the fact
It became known yesterday that after
Secretary Of the Navy Meyer had pre-
sented his reorganization plan. and be-
fore Chief Constructor Capps had fatty
Contradicted the Secretary's figures and
opposed his scheme. the committee stood
sixteen to three in favor Of adopting the
Secretary's recommendations.
Capps Changed All.
But Constructor Capps' testimony
changed all that. Eliminating Represen-
tative HObson Of Alabama, who is ex-
pected TO be busy all this session mending
his political fences, the committee now
stands nine TO nine on the Meyer plan.
Both factions say they will stand out
forever. if necessary. TO force their own
plan on the naval service. It is the old
line and staff row all over again. raging
now with renewed vigor. not only in the
navy. but in Congress as well.
Secretary Meyer was before the House
Naval Committee yesterday. He dis
cussed dry docks and not reorganization.
and yet the session Of the committee was
/ lively and full of interest
/ For one thing. the Secretary's friends
! endeavored TO have the committee for
navy bureau chiefs from editing or revis-
: ing their remarks before the committee.
( prior TO publication This Is intended. It
| is said. TO prevent these bureau chiefs
/ from making statements calculated 10
impress the committee. yet which might
get them In trouble with their superiors
/ in the department
Testimony Not Tae1fuI.
/ OF course, this was brought up By the
Z tact that some OF Chief Constructor
apps comments on the Meyer plan were
more emphatic than tactful. and that the
/ Secretary and his friends resent the fact.
/ The effort TO have the committee 90 on
record on the proposition failed, however,
! chiefly because of the fact that Repre-
sentative Foss. OF Illinois. chairman OF
the naval committee, had an engagement
/ and neglected 70 put the motion before
he left
But all this wasn't the uveliest or most
/ significant development in the Congress
end Of the situation yesterday. After the
formal session ended. some of the mem
bers Of that body-all Of them opponents
OF the Meyer plan-cornered the Secre-
tary Of the Navy and suggested to him
that the Newberry plan had been badly
treated, that II had not had a sufficiently
/ comprehensive trial, and that it wouldn't
be bad idea to take it UP again and
see how it would work under favorable
and satisfactory conditions.
| These gentlemen endeavored to impress
upon the Secretary that his own plan had
small chance OF Endorsement by the COM
mittee. More interesting still, they spoke
Of the Newberry scheme as the plan OF
| the naval committee"
This last statement Is somewhat aston
/ ishing, in view OF the fact that Mr.. New
/ berry, when assistant secretary. told the
! House Naval Committee he had a plan
which he proposed TO try first in the New
| York Navy Yard. and that if it worked
/ there. he would give the committee all
the details, with the idea of it's being
made general throughout the service.
Call Plan Their Own,
/ But members Of the committee said
/ that when he came before them as Sec
retary of the Navy the following session.
/ he neglected TO throw any more light on
| the proposition. Those members Of the