The Washington herald., 1913-03-26
Commander BLUE
HEAD OF BUREAU
OF NAVIGATION
Philip Andrews Succeeded by
One of Heroes of Spanish
American War.
SHAKE-UP BY DANIELS
Nav 0rIars Az Tssued in Hone fo
SHAKE-UP BY DANIELS
New Orders Are Issued in Hope to
End Dissatisfaction in
Nayy.

A radical change in the administration
OF the Department of the Navy was or
oered last night by Secretary Daniels,
who announced that in the future he,
with the help of his council Of aids. will
determine the details of officers above
the rank of commander.
At the same time he announced he had
accepted the resignation OF Commander
Philip Andrews as chief Of the Bureau
of Navigation. which heretofore has had
almost plenary power In determining de-
tails, and had appointed Commander VIC
tor Blue, famous for scouting exploits
during the Spanish war, to succeed Com
mander Andrews. Commander Blue, who
will have the rank of rear admiral, will
have charge of detailing only enlisted
men and officers Junior TO himself.
The new order of things is purposed to
put an end to the dissatisfaction which
the Bureau of Navigation has caused in
the past The bureau operates directly
upon the personal interests Of officers
and men as 1t assigns them to service
1t has always been n center or disccn-
tent and upon several occasions tho
most recent Of which was the transfer
Of Rear Admiral Reginald Nicholson. has
caused serious dissensions.
Rear Admiral Nicholson was ousted
by Mr.. Me-er and sent to command the
Asiatic fleet. Commander Philip An
drews. who throughout Mr.. Meyers term
served as the Secretary's aid. was made
chief of the bureau. with the rank OF
admiral At the same time all the other
officers of the bureau We're transferred
and their places taken by officers drawn
from the fleet. On January l, 1872. the
bureau had ar entirely new personnel.
from chief down.
Criticism of Meyer.
These changes made by Mr.. Meyer
caused the severest criticism. and friends
of Admiral Nicholson threatened to take
the matter to Congress. Admiral Nichol-
son prevented their doing so, and as Mr..
Meyer was acting clearly within his au-
Ihority, nothing was ever done Critl-
cism of the appointment of Commander
Andrews was made chiefly because he
had been Mr.. Meyers aid, and because
he was of a lower grade than any oifcer
who had ever held the place before Mr..
Meyer announced. however. that he au-
thority of the Bureau OF Navigation was
TO be Curtailed under the new arrange
ment, and the more important details 10
be made by himself and the council OF
aids, including the aid for personnel II
is now expected. from Mr.. Daniels an
rouncement, that he expects to enforce
this rule more strictly than did Ny.
Meyer. and thus endeaVor 10 q" away
with the dissatisfaction among llle l4teN
officers above the rank of commander
The duty 10 which Admiral Andrews,
now commander. as he held the rank OF
admiral only during hs inCumhency as
Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Will
be detailed. has not yet been announced.
1t is likely that he will go to sea His
last sea duty ended in May, 1879, nearly
-FOUR years ago.
Commander Rlue has long been known
TO the country at large rs naval Off
Ger Of the highest merit He IS best
known throughout the world FOR the
conspicuous part he played in locating
Cervera' : feet at Santiago during the
war witt Spain. under the most haz-
ardous circumstances. The two me-
-e0ric exploits Of thH war with Spain
we're Hobson's hottIins up the Spanish
feet with TIE Me-imac. and Blues dar-
ing accommodating tours around Sanu-
ago 10 locate the Spanish fleet and as
certain Information of inestInahle value
10 the hlockading American forces. While
the whole world applauded. the Navy
also fully recognized the value Of Lieu