Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-17
A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE
Which Secretary Herbert Will Be Called
Upon to Decide
Admiral Walkers Changed Views rs
to the SUPPLEMENTARY Of the
Naval Academy.

Secretary Herbert has returned to Wash
ington just in time to settle a very interest
ing question of naval etiquette, in which the
principal party concerned is Admiral Wal
ker. The question ut issue IS whether the
Naval Academy shall continue under the
jurisdiction of the navigation bureau of the
Navy Department as at present, or wheth-
er 1t shall not be placed directly under the
supervision of the Secretary Of the Navy,
as was the case before the reorganization
Of the department in July, 1850.
Admiral Walkers Desire.
About two months ago Admiral Walker
was relieved Of command Of the Pacific sta
ton. while at Honolulu, Hawaii, and was
ordered to Annapolis, Md, to duty as su-
perintendent of the Naval Academy, to re-
heve Capt. Phythlan, whose four years term
at the academ has expired. Admiral Wal
ker has been in Washington for about three
weeks. ard until within the last two or
three days there was no doubt that he
would take charge Of the Naval Academy.
1t has now developed. however. that he de-
sires to have certain important change
made In the administration Of the academy
before he takes hold. This Is nothing more
nor less than the depriva ton of all authori-
ty over the affairs Of the academy by the
chief of the bureau of navigation, an office
at present held by Admiral Ramsay. The
effect OF such q change would be to give the
superintendent of the academy supreme
jurisdiction over its affairs. subject only to
the approval Of the Secretary of the Navy.
Ihts action on the part of Admi -al Walker
Is taken by many of his comrades in the
navy as partial confirmation Of the ru-
mors OF strained relations between that Of
nicer and Admiral Ramsay that have been
In circulation for many months past These
0Mcers are OF the same grade, Admiral
one number in the list
A Change Of Front.
A singular feature Of this case Is that the
order which Admiral Walker now wishes to
nave revoked was one that was issued
mainly through his instrumentality when
ne Reid the office Of chief Of the bureau of
navigation. He then thought that the af-
iairs or that institution were properly sub
JeSt 10 the supervision Of the bureau Of
"Hich ne was then at the head.
NOW that the positions are changed he in
OF another state of mind altogether and
thinks that as the head Of the Naval Acad-
envy he should be subject alone to the an
.norV OF the Secretary Of the Navy. Ad-
M, ramsay was superintendent Of the
saVaI academy several years ago during
ADMIRAL Walkers administration of the
bureau or navigation, and, as such was
under his orders. Admiral Walker. how
e ever Is DECIDEDLY averse to reversing the
Ieiatlohs that existed at that time and is
not now satisfied to have Admiral Ramsay
supervise his actions as superintendent OF
.he naval Academy. So far as can he
learned there is no other reason for Admiral
aiker desire for a change Of Jurisdiction
.hah the one already given. The matter
mas created considerable gossip among ma
val ofr1cers. and the result is awaited with
interest. '
An Officer With a ssPull,"
ADMIRAL Walker is known as the officer
with the strongest pull in the nayy and
re mas usually succeeded in securing what
ever he desired. The impression obtains.
however, that he stands very little chance
OF success In the present case, and that
secretary Herbert. who will be called upon
TO pass on the matter. will insist on a COM
phance WITH existing orders. There Is a
possibility, however, that I'm the event that
secretary Herbert refuses to take the Naval
Academy out Of the Jurisdiction of the bu-
reau of navigation that Admiral Walker
may induce him to give him some other as
Segment. The next term of the Naval
Academy begins on the LIST proximo and it
Will be necessary to settle this matter be-
fore that time. Meanwhile Capt. Phythian
Is In state of embarrassing uncertainty
he does not know what is expected of him
nor Is he aware when he will be relieved.
Conference With the Secretary.
Admiral Walker had conference with
Secretary Herbert in regard to the matter
yesterday afternoon and then left for Dub
lin, N. H., where his family is spending the
summer. Commodore Phythian, the present
superintendent of the academy also had
a short talk with Secretary Herbert at the
department this morning.