The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-02-20

nority was showing brain work which
did not presage good for the major
ity.
Avoids Naval Row.
President Taft steered clear of the
naval row as it was said he believed
he had enough troubles on his hands
with the insurgent fight in the house
without taking a public stand in the
congressional sQuabble that has been
going on over Secretary Meyers pro-
posed reorganization of the navy.
The revival of the old line and staff
controversy has divided the navy de-
partment into opposing factions, with
victory hanging into the balance for
either side. Rear Admiral Capps,
chief constructor of the navy, who is
the mainstay of staff officers in the
controversy fled from Washington up
on the advice of his physician to re-
cuperate from an illness.
Playing Close Hand.
Secretary Meyer is playing close
hand and has not indicated, up to the
present time. just what he proposes to
do to Rear Admiral Capps and Rogers,
who precipitated the conflict by their
testimony before the house committee
on naval affairs. They cast reflec-
lions upon the wisdom of Secretary
Meyers plan of reorganization. AS
Secretary Meyer holds that his plan.
having been approved by President
Taft, is an administration measure, it
is likely that both Capps and Rogers
may be called to account for their OPP
position to it. if they are not dropped
altogether.
Such a course could be easily follow
ed by Secretary Meyer as it is evident
that the two staff officers are out of
sympathy with his ideas of naval ad-
ministration. Congress, however, is
disposed to take another view Of the
situation and is inclined to sympathize
| with the two officers who are fighting
against the line officer predominating
| in the naval establishment trouble. The
members of the naval affairs commit
| tee of both the senate and house rather
lean to the Newberry scheme of naval
organization, which was put into prac
| tice during the closing days of the
Roosevelt administration. BY this
! scheme the staff officers held the pre-
ponderance of authority in the admin
istration of navy yards. AS result
of this there was constant friction with
| line officers, who were also detailed
for duty at the navy yards.
Calls Various Boards.
Secretary Meyers first task was to
| inf
nation of government and commercial
ship building yards with view of put
ting into effect his own plan. This
was outlined by the board headed by
Rear Admiral Swift. which was a ses-
sion for the entire summer at Boston
He put the plan into effect December
1, removing the staff officers, particu-
larly the constructors. from the posi-
tions of authority they hold at the ma
Wy yards, and placed line officers in
charge.
The plan appeared to be working
smoothly until Rear Admirals Caps
and Rogers appeared before the house
naval committee There these two
staff officers severely criticised the sec
retary's plan. alleging that if line Of
ficers were placed in charge of the ma
Wy yards they would leave the plantt
unofficered in time of war by reasot
of the preference Of the line officer fCt
sea duty. Rear Admiral Cone. CHIEF
of the bureau of steam engineering
and one of the line officers conspicsl
Gus in the controversy charged Reh
Admiral Caps bureau with fnff
cheney. The latter officer controvert
ed this testimony and the fight becaIlp
all the more bitter
1t is uncertain just what congress
will do in the matter ultimately. II II
puts obstacles in the way of SecretaG.
Meyers administration, President TAT
may have to take hand in straighteN
ing out the tangle. The president