New-York tribune., 1910-02-01
MEYERS FOES MAYGO
BUREAU CHIEFS IN
DANGER.
Secretary Considering Drastic
Measures to End NaUol
ControUersU.
C0ntrOJersy.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

From The Tribune BureauI
Washington, Jan 31.-Tt is highly tru-
probable that the Secretary OF the Navy
will let the naval controversy now rag
ing between the line and staff over his
reorganiza ton plan 20 without calling
20 account the officers VINO have 50
greatly promoted the present conflict by
attacking his scheme before the sub
committee of the House Naval Commit
tee.
He himself will take a hand IN the
affair by appearing again before the
committees. after the various officers and
chiefs Of bureaus have had their say
After that it is probable that he will
take I'D the question of di5ciplining the
bureau chiefs who expressed opposition
TO the plan. and it is possible that one
or both may have TO sacrifice their
places as a consequence
II was made clear to-day that Secre-
,srv Never is disposed 10 regard the
testimony Of Rear AdmiraIs Capps and
Rogers the chief constructor and the
ravrnaster general of the navy, respec-
.iveI-. as opposed 10 the administration
The Never plan Of reorganization was
Endorsed By President Taft and put
into execution. so far as possible. only
after ne had approved il. For this rea-
son opposition to it is regarded az oppo-
eition 70 the administration itself. and
tho discomfort of the situation IN which
Caps and Rogers find themselves may
be inferred.
II IS understood. moreover. that 1tr.
Never purposes TO exercise his preroga-
tives as Secretary Of the Navy 70 tns
fullest extent, with every indication that
he will spare no effort in putting an end
To the constantly recurring controversy
CONE TO BE HEARD AGAIN.
Rear Admiral Hutch L Cone. chief OF
the Bureau of Steam Engineering, whose
memorandum was the subject OF tne
most scathfng criticism on the part %
Chief Constructor Capps. VIII go pe1ore
the committee TO make his reply, IN an
attempt TO substantiate his charges d
extraya gance under the old system OF
yard management. Because OF t1eSe
charges Mr.. Capps's position Is not 80
difficult as that of Paymaster GENERA
Rogers, as he will probably not be re-
garded as having exceeded his prerosa-
tives to so great an extent in defending
the administration of his bureau. II
also remains to be seen whether Caps
or Cone is right, as the question on
which they differ is one of fact alone This
phase of the controversy is largely due
to the fact that Mr.. Cones memorandum
was not originally intended TO be part
OF the testimony. but was merely for
the use of the Secretary, who made Il
an appendix to the hearing.
If the COMMITTEES is so disposed other
officers may be called. but when they
have finished Secretary Meyer himself
will ask TO be heard. in order 10 review
the testimony of his subordinates and
to bring out certain facts in rebuttai.
How far the COMMITTEES will 90 10 sup
port Secretary Meyer remains 70 bs
seen. AS the reorganization plan is re-
garded as an administration measure. it
is probable that Secretary Meyer will
have the support of most OF the mem
bers, especially in view Of his deter
mination to take summary action in put
ting an end TO the interminable dispute.
which has created differences and has
been an obstacle to naval administration
for years
ROGERS IN MOST DANCER
The position of PaymasteT General
Rogers is decidedly more precarious than
that of Chief Constructor Capps 1t Is
understood that Secretary Meyer re-
CARDS his testimony as demonstrating
that he has gone out of his way 20 find
fault with the administra tion's pro-
gramme. and instead of confinins him
self to the affairs of his own bureau he
has reviewed the whole question Of naval
reorga nizatiOn.
The controversy is now three-sidsd.
with the staff, headed by Mexsrs. Capps
and Rogers, against the reorganization
plan, the line supporting Cone for ths
plan and the Congressional! COMMITTEE
undetermined. If Congress should take
up the cause Of Caps and Rogers. il is
probable that the conflict will be carried
TO even greater extremes.
1t is not probable. however. that rhs
naval appropriation bill will be inter-
fered with TO any great extent.