New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-31
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
May Abolish Navy Bureau OF
Yards and Docks.
From The Tribune Bureau J

WASHINGTON, july n'.
MAY ABOLISH NAVAL BUREAU
What Is regarded as the beginning OF the
end OF the Bureau OF Yards and Docks or
the navy is foreseen by some ~ the civil
engineers, whose fate hangs IN the bal
ance. in the inquiry being made by spe-
cial board OF officers in relation 70 the dis
tribution Of duties among the several bu-
reaus. The beard IS composed Of Captain
=. z Potts. chief intelligence officer; Com
nander Joseph Straus assistant TO the aid
for material. and commander l.. II. Chan
der. The inquiry is being made in con-
nection with the revision Of the naval reg
ulations. The civil engineers fear the
hoard. as result Of IT'S inquiry, Will rec
ommend that certain work now performed
under the direction Of the Bureau Of Yards
and Docks he turned over 70 other ou-
reaus. II this is done they believe II viii
only be a question Of time before the corps
is abolished.
In anticipation of that some Of the civil
engineers are agitati z the question or
transfer 10 the corps Of engineers OF the
army. which was increased at the last ses-
sion of Congress. In such an event the
army engineers would probably have charge
Of public works in navy yards, as is the
system IN some foreign governments. This
is not looked on with favor by the naval
authorities
The revision Of the naval regulations will
deprive the civil engineers Of none Of the
duties and responsibilities connected with
the design and construction Of public
works. II is proposed, however, 10 trans
fer from the Bureau Of Yards and Docks
the concentrated power plants, which are
considered as coming in the province Of
the Bureau Il Steam Engineering. II IS
also proposed 20 have floating drydocks
transferred 20 the Bureau Of Construction
and Repair as a part Of the machinery used
bv naval constructors on work connected
with vessels OF war The withdrawal Of
those two important departments from the
Bureau of Yards and Docks is not regarded
with approval by the civil engineers. and
they are making spirited fight 70 retain
them.
There have been several sessions NJ tho
board in which representatives Of the sew
eral bureaus have appeared and freely ex-
pressed their views. According TO some
observers IN the Navy Department the
preservation Of the corps Of civil engi-
neers IS the important point % issue. Some
Of the most apprehensive believe the corps
Is marked for ultimate extinction. and that
the Bureau Of Yards and Docks will he
abolished and Us Dtes distributed among
other bureaus. This action VIII require
legislation. as r. has IN the case If the
Bureau OF Equipment which exists only ON
paper pending the legislation 10 abolish
that branch which has been before the
House Naval Committee FOR two years.
HOTT TO SUCCEED CARTFR-Brig
adler General Ralph " Hoyt will succeed
Major General William II. Carter in com
mand ~ the manouvre brigade in Texas
when the latter general IS relieved on Au-
gust l5 General Carter viii come 70
Washington 10 resume hls duties as as
sistsnt chief of STAFF. relieving General
Arthur Murray. VINO will take command
Of the Department of the West. with head
quarters in San Francisco.
Tho large reduction in the number ~
troops IN Texas has caused the abandon
ment Of the original plan 10 rotate the
major generals in tours Of duty there. At
present only a brigade remains Of the
original manpuvre division. and while n is
not contemplated 10 reduce the present
force much the brigade IS scarcely Of sui
fcient importance 10 justify the assign
ment OF a major general 10 its command.