The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-05
DANIELS SLIPS UP IN
PLAN TO BOSS NAVY
Creation Of Chief Of Opera
tions May Mean Trouble
for Secretary.
NEW LAW TIES HIS HANDS

w,suNGroN, March t-lndic' tons
are that the precise duties and powers
q, the incumbent OF the newly created
post Of chief OF operations in tho Navy
department will lead to serious contro-
ycrsy during the administration OF
secretary Daniels.
Mr.. Daniels brought about substan-
,lal amendment OF the original pro-
Vision for the bureau of operations. and
opInion here Is that his changes were
FOR the purpose OF weakening 1t. It
appears that the weakening IL not as
complete az is supposed to have been
desired and that there is much ground
for dispute as to Just what the aw will
accomplish.
The Secretary gave out an Interview
the amendment because the original
plan would have abolished the general
board or at least impaired its useful
ness in the preparation or war plans
It was disclosed. however. that the bill
as passed gives the chief of operations
the duty Of preparing plans for war un-
der the direction OF the Secretary.
Mr.. Daniels IL held responsible for
having eliminated the provision giving
the chief fifteen officers TO help him and
sieo one providing that the chief be an
officer not below the grade OF rear ad-
niral. In other woros 1t is in the
power OF the Secretary TO make the
post OF minor importance by assigning
no aid or only a few. The chiefs
authority may be further reduced by
appointing a captain. who could not be
expected TO have authority over the
general board. which always includes
in its membership several rear admirals
Further, George Dewey. the only admiral
in the navy. is chairman of the board
II is pointed out that the Secretary
could solve the problem by appointins
Admiral Dewey rs chief and the mem.
bers OF the general board his aids
u Is doubted that Secretary Daniels vii
40 this In view OF what Is known ui
his attitude. The prediction is mad,
hat under Mr.. Daniels the new bureau
will not be it's creators intended
70 to become. a force for devclopinc
nc efficiency and preparedness OF tn,
navy.
However. those things which IL,
measure In its original form made man.
datory are stiIl possible. though no
specifically directed.
while favoriug the principles Mr.
Daniels said to-day, Il was opposed
20 ;he original draft because il woul,
nave remove from the boards duti.,
IS chief and most Important function
Of preparing war plans. These plan.
have for many years been prosecute
with diligence under the aDt- guidance
~ Admiral Dewey. The result Of nj!
experience and knowledge oi large prOh
lens. coupled with the LABOR aud -Ih.l. y
Of the otl.er officers detailed To duty OF
n. board, could not safely I've dispensed
With. Needless 10 add. 1 rould not b'
n sympathy with an. measure tina
would minimize the value OF the service,
4 Admiral Dewey 10 the navy
"In the measure as finally passed, .
s believed, the law will enable a NOR,
borough cooperation between the DE
uartment and the general board TO h'
effected. while retaining the Leadership
II Admiral Dewey IN the larger nava
rroblsms. ! recognize the value Of hi
distinguished service and depend To-
much on his practical judgment TO 10
willing 70 minimize The work which N
&c doing so Well
The bureau of operations has been ap
piauded as the creation Of a genera
STAFF. but there seems 20 ne every iudi
cation that IL will be no such thing
unless the law creating II Is i%n'erpretc'
IN a manner contrary to what Sccre
tary Daniels mas indicated as his view
on the subject.