New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-13
ARMY AND NAVY hottest
Winthrop Warns Navy Officers
About Writing Letters. .
(From The Tribune Bureau. ]

w dsnlilbl'il, Aus uSi -
WINTHROP WARNS OFFICERS.-The
Navy Department has issued a warning TO
naval officers on duty in Washington about
communications to Representatives and
Senators without regard to the official
channels through which such matters
should proceed Beekman Winthrop. Act
ing Secretary of the Navy, has sent To
each chief of bureau and head of office In
the Navy Department the following note:
On more than one occasion the depart
ment has noticed that certain Of the bu-
reaus and offices have not been strictly ad-
herring To the instructions regarding CORE
sponderce with Senators and Representa-
tives contained in executive order No. 1.l42'
November 26. 1909. which Is again cited for
the information of and strict observance by
all bureaus and offices.
Some naval officers criticise this order az
being in conflict with one issued two or
three months ago by Secretary Meyer, fol-
lowing a hearing before the House Commit
tea on Navy Department Expenditures,
when Mr. Meyer was asked II he would in
terpose objection TO the appearance before
the committee Of any officer or employe
under the Navy Department. Mr.. Meyer
then pointed out the liability of disturbing
he discipline Of the department. but he
was anxious that the committee should
have access to all possible sources OF in
formation. to which end he issued an order
directing that naval officers on duty in the
department and civil employees should re
spond freely 10 all requests for informa-
ton coming from the committee. It Is
probable that Mr.. Winthrop has I'm view
some instances where naval officers have
conducted correspondence with Senator'S
and Representatives on their own initia-
tive and without regard ~ the provisions
Of the executive order of 1900 That order
was issued by Mr. Taft AZ tho time when
certain officers We're working assiduously
against Mr.. Meyers plans for the reorgan-
ization Of his department and of the navy
Yards
WOOD TO MAKE TOUR.-Maior Cen
ersl Leonard Wood. CHEF Of staff Of the
army. will soon make an inspection en-
bracing all the coast defence stations and
ssrrsons Of the mobile army within the
. continental limits. In this trir, which will
begin late in August he will he accom-
panied by two officers Of the General STAFF.
Major Johnson Hagood, OF the coast ar
tllerv and Captain G. u. Rhodes. Of the
cavalry. II is especially desired by Gen
eral Wood 70 obtain information at tirst
hand and by direct observation concerning
army posts selected for Abandonment. lie
expects 10 be called on for Information in
this connection during the coming session
Of Congress He has already appeared be
fore the House Committee on War Depart
ment Expenditures
General Wood Is in possession OF impor-
tent reports prepared by the General stan
and at the Army War College on the sub
iect OF concentration Of troops. lie de
sires 70 ascertain for himself conditions AZ
various posts, that he may know what ones
NAV be placed on the ungsrrisoned list and
~ What points it would be advantageous
10 mobilize troops. II is appreciated that
this scheme would entail much extra eX-
pense az first, but General Wood inclines
10 the view that II represents pronta bic
investment II is also suggested that the
cavalry he stationed in the parts Of the
country where there II an abundance or
grain and hay and where animals may be
obtained ar reasonable prices, 70 save tho
cost Of Transporting forage and horses.