The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-16

to simplify the work done in the vari-
GUS navy yards. His idea is that the
various divisions operating in each
yard should be placed under one head.
The old system of distinct divisions,
each with a chief responsible only to
the head of a bureau here at Washing
ton has resulted, it is said in confusion
delay, petty disputes over authority
and waste of money. Secretary Mey-
er would place at the head of each
navy yard an officer who would be held
responsible for every branch of work
at that yard and to whom all the
chiefs OF divisions in the yard would
report.
Under the old system of manage
ment of the navy yards, some perplex-
ing, as well as humorous conditions,
have arisen. 1t has happened for in
stance, that an officer detailed to SUI
pervise special work in yard has out
ranked the commandant. The COM
mandant thereupon became subject to
the authority of an officer on specific
assignment to one piece Of work at the
yard. Naturally, this sort OF thing
was not good for the general discip-
line in the yard.
Sample Of Red Tape.
Under the old system officers in
charge Of the work at navy yards
coming under direct supervision of
Washington bureau would report only
to the chief of division at Washington.
The commandant at the navy yard
would know nothing from official re-
ports of the progress of work in the
yard under his command. When the
secretary of the navy sent for informa-
ton from the commandment the COM
mandant was obliged to refer the in
quiry to the head of the division in
charge of the work, to which the in
quiry pertained. This head of divis-
ion would not report to the command
ant, but would report to his immediate
superior, a chief of one of the Wash
ington bureaus. This chief, not
knowing the need of the secretary for
an immediate report. would transmit
the report through ordinary red tape
channels, with the result that there
was much delay in getting the informa-
ton desired by the secretary in his
hands.
Secretary Meyer found this delay
and the red tape eisting everywhere
intolerable. He recommended to the
Swift board that a plan be devised to
correct these evils. The plan the
Swift board suggested and the one
which Secretary Meyer has put into
operation temporarily and for which
he has asked the approval of congress
makes the commandant responsible
for all work at his yard. One i'm
portant recommendation made by the
Swift board Secretary Meyer did not
follow. The board suggested that the
marine corps be placed under one Of
the bureaus. The secretary has
placed the corps under the assistant
secretary of the navy.
Would Mean Big Saving.
The largest single influence with
congress in favor Of the so-called re-
form program submitted by Secretary
Meyer. is the argument for economy.
The advocates of the old regime in
tn navy have been forced to admit that
their plan is more expensive than that
proposed by Secretary Meyer. The
hearings before the house committee
on naval affairs the last two weeks
have shown rather conclusively that
the old bureaucracy system is wasteful
and that under it the navy yards are
slow in construction. The point has
been brought out that Germany turns
out battleship in half the time it
takes to build one in this country. and
chat battleship in this country costs
more than a German battleship of the
same type.
If congress fails to give Secretary
Meyers reorganization plan approval,
there will probably be a return to the
old system. The secretary is able to
keep his plan in operation Temperate
ly, but he would hardly be able to
stand out against the opposition of the
old bureau chiefs if congress should
turn down his program.