New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-28
CAPTAIN HOWELLS PROMOTION OPPOSLD
ADMIRAL WALKER OBJECTS TO HIS AbNAN'E-
MENT TO THE RANK or COMMODORE
CAUSE or THE TROUBLE.

ADMIRAL. WALKER OBJECTS TO HIS AIN Az l.
MENT TO THE RANK or COMMODORE TIE
CAUSE or THE TROUBLE
WASHINGTON May q CspeciaD-Thcre IS hitch
in the promotion OF Captain John \. ho"e", %
the Navy 4 vacancy in the grade Of commodore
WAS created by the retirement Of Admiral M'a'e'
and The record and present fitness OF captain
Howell are now undergoing investigation by 'he
Naval Examining Board preliminary to DIS az
vancement 10 flag rank. Captain Howell Is re-
garded as an able officer. and the fact that th're
is any opposition TO his promotion causes no htiie
surnrlse No less a person than the second senior
admiral OF the Navy. John @. Walker. is the officer
who blocks the Captains upward path According
10 custom, when informed that Captain ho"cH
would come before II for examination. the Naval
Examining Board sent out interrogai Dries to ON
GERS senior 10 the candidate for opinions az to his
fitness for the duties Of the grade TO which 1t Is
proposed to advance him. Admiral Walkers re-
plies TO these questions were not favorable 70 cap
lain Howell. ana the Examining Board today hai
tho Admiral before II In person Inc canlidale
interests are being looked out for by judge Jere-
miah Wilson. lawyer vel versed IN naval pro-
There is an interesting story in connection with
Admiral Walkers unfavorablc expressions In Cap
tain HOwei's case. The facts date back 10 the
famous nnousan w@er 81 Admrai Walker commoded
the squadron. Captain Howell was in command
Of 1he A wake esabshe S Inc rule hat all e1o
buttons OF ship should be carried out with the
the watchword In getting up steam hosting an
Choir coming TO anchor, squarng yards rigging
in and out boats, and the many other eyOlutiOns
which take place in the cruise OF squadron
On one OCCASION while the White Squadron was
at Toulon where there were assembled number
OF French ironcads and cruisers Admiral Walker
holsted the signal directing his vessels get under
way and stand sea, his object being that the
evolution should be executed simultaneously by all
the five ships. Had the programme been fully car
ricd out there would have been exhibition OF
smart seamanship calculated TO elicit the applause
of a number Of French naval officers who were Wit
harl,or in which officers OF the American Navy
have made "A record for magnificent seamanshlp,
and the instance Is recalled where Admiral Luce.
then a commander. in "A mastery manner took the
Juniata under sal! alone out OF the bay when the
port alive with shipping.
The Chicago. Boston. Yorktown and Concord
sponded promptly to Admiral Walkers orders.
slant. Unfortunately. the Atlanta delayed the
programme. Her anchor became fOuied. and earnest
Efforts were unavailing TO clear IT, The signal came
from the Chicago. what Is the matter with the
Aflanta?' The reply sent that her anchor was
foul Then followed order from the Commander
in chief placing Captain Howell under suspen-
sion Shortly afterward the Atlanta having cleared
her anchor, proceeded to sea and overhauled the
rest OF the squadron. Captain Howell remained
under suspension for brief period only. Upon
heing restored duty he sought to have the fact
nr his suspension removed from the official records
This action Admiral Walker declined to take Sub
seouently several occasions Captain Howell
soiight the Intervention Of the Secretary OF the
Navy While attached 10 the Squadron OF Evolu-
which he held that great injustice had been done
and reparation due him Secretary Tracy
r.vcr acted the case. and the incident appeared
Nc