Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-02-22
Theodore Will Lead Them
Into the Promised Land
CBy JONATHAN wINFIELDl

ded comment that the minority. was
showing brain work which did not
presage good for the majority.
president Taft steered clear OF the
val row as II was said Ne be-
lieved he had enough troubles on his
hands with the Insurgents fight. In
the House without taking public
stand in the Congressional sauabble
that has been going on over Secre-
tary meyers proposed reorganization
OF the navy.
The revival OF the old line and
STAN controversy has divided the Ma
w department nto opposing fac lions
'Hh victory hanging into the bal.
ance o., either side. Rear Admiral
apps, chief constructor OF the navy
VINO Is the maiustay OF the stan OF
'cers IN the controversy lied from
Washington upon the advice OF his
physicians TO recuperate from an Ill
nCs-.
Secretary Meyer is playing a close
hand and has not indicated. up to
he present time. Just what he pro
poses TO do 10 Rear Admiral Caps
and Rogers. who precipItated the con
iilct by their testimony before the
House committee on Naval AFFAIR.
They cast reflections upon the wis
dom OF Secretary Meyers plan Of
reorganization AS Secretary Meyer
holds that his plan. having been ap-
proved by President Taft. is an ad-
ministration measure, IL e. likely that
both Capps and Rogers may be call-
ed TO account for their oposttion- to
1t, II they are not dropped altogeth-
err
such course could be easily fol-
lowed by Secretary Meyer, az il is
evident that the two stan officers are
out OF sympathy with his ideas OF ma
va administration Congress. how
ever is disposed to take another view
Of the situation and Is inclined 10
ympathize with tho two officers who
are lighting against the line officer
rcdominaltng IN the naval cstabli "a
rent trouble The members OF the
naval affairs committee Of both a.,
Senate and House rathr lean 10 Tho
Nowbcrry scheme OF naval orgaHza-
tion, which was put into practice dur
Ing the closing days OF the Roose-
Welt administration. By this scheme
the staff officers held the preponder-
ance OF authority in the administra-
tion OF navy yards As a result of
this there was constant friction with
line officers. who were also detailed
Tor duty at the navy yards
Secretary Meyers first task war 10
call various boards and gather IN
formation concerning the organiza-
ton OF government and commercial
ship building yards. with view Of
putting into effect a plan OF his own
This was outlined by the board head
cd by Rear Admiral Swift, which was
session for the entire summer at
Boston. He put the plan into effect
December /, removing the star Off
GERS, particularly the contractors
from the positions OF authority they
held at the navy yards, and placed
lined officers in charge.
The plan appeared to be working
smoothly until Rear Admirals Camp
and Rogers appeared before the House
omm. tee. There th5se t%
ST. officers severely criticised the
...i' ,af5 plan, al eging that n line
'ai'ers were placed in charge OF the
navy yards ihU wouH leave the
plant uuoficored in time a. war ~
reason OF he preference OF tho line
officer Tor sea duty. Rear Admiral
Cone, chief OF tho Bureau or Steam
Engineering, and one OF the line OF
tc'rs conspicuous 10 the controversy
charged Rear Admiral Capps bureau
with ineficiency The latter officer
controycrtod this testimony and tho
fight became al the more hitter.
il IS uncertain just what ConRras
Will do in The matter ultimately II
50 puts obstacles in the way OF Sec
rotary Meyers administration. Pres
Idcnt Taft may have to take n hand
in strengthening out the tanRle. The
President, however, is not inclined 10
take any more dif1culHe on bio shouYI
dors at the present time. II rs Inn
possible congress may dlspose OF the
situation by taking no action I'm this
80 sion and allowing the entire con
troverBy 20 20 over for thorough
airing next year.
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