New-York tribune., 1900-05-19
A SENSATION IN THE NAVY
COMMANDER TODD, THE HYDKOG-
RAPHER, SUSPENDED ON CHARGES
OF DUPLICITY.
rpr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuSH.l

BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBCSEI
Washington, MAY 1S.-Commander c. c. Todd,
the photographer of the Navy. has been sus-
pended from duty pending investigation by the
Department of the charge of duplicity. The
gravity of the charge has caused the utmost
astonishTnent in the naval service on account of
Commander Todd's high standing and excellent
reputation. Officers acquainted with the details
OF the affair refuse to give any information on
the subject beyond expressing indignation over
what they term the wanton reflection upon an
officers character to offset political exigency."
The only obtainabe version of the affair comes
from members of Congress who are interested
in the fight between the Naval photographic
Office and the Coast Survey. which reached an
acute stage when Representative Cannon
ceeded in cutting the naval ocean and lakes sur
vey appropriation down from 100000 to $4,000
and to offset this reduction of $4,000 procured
an increase of more than 100000 in the Coast
Survey appropriation for the work. This
economical manipulation promptly reported in
The Tribune resulted in protests from Chambers
of Commerce. Maritime exchanges Boards of
Trade and individual ship owners and shipping
men in all parts of the country.
THE FIGHT OVER SURVEYS.
Members of Congress who had been instru-
mental in stopping the surveys which the Navy
had been effectively prosecuting for years. and
turning the photographic work over TO the Coast
Survey Office. which had failed after thirty years
OF Ineffective effort 10 chart the coast line of
the United States, suspected that the Navy
had been stirring up seafaring interests against
them, and more than week ago the chairman
of the House Appropriations Committee ad-
dressed letter to Secretary Long calling for
copies of all letters sent by the Department or
any of its bureaus or officers to Chambers of
Commerce Maritime Exchanges, Boards of
Trade and individuals This call for informa-
ton was circulated through the Department,
and returned to Congress with the statement
hot 1.rrl hal n der
Of the heads mentioned. Promptly on the re-
cept of this reply another demand was made
the Secretary for a complete copy of letter
declared TO have been sent TO Lieutenant Malh-
son. the branch photographer at Seattle, by
Commander Todd. setting forth the injury to the
Navy contemplated by the pending legislation
This turned out to be circular letter which
the photographer had mailed several weeks ago
to all naval officers in charge of branch hydro
graphic offices. 1t has not been made TO ap-
pear that any of these naval officers in charge
of branches used the information in these Of
ficial letters to hound and harass the antaSo-
nists of the Navy in Congress-. but IL was
serted that they belonged in the category of
'individuals''-ship owners. shipping men, pilots,
etc.-referred to in the original demand on the
Department for information. and 1T was de-
clared that Commander Todd was guilty OF sup
pressing the whole truth.
: Under the force Of Congressional pressure
controlling the Governmental pursestrings.
Secretary Long decided TO suspend Commander
Todd pending further investigation last Tues
day. The blight thus put on this oftcer's career
Was kent secret until Yesterday when il leaked
out in the House committee room. and soon be-
came known in the Senate. where the Navy has
most friends. Senator Lindsay. of Kentucky,
Immediately called Secretary Long for copies
of all the papers in the case. and Will publish
them
Commander Todd is confined TO his house by
illness but il is understood. has already asked
for a court of inquiry. Commander TODD mas
been for many years one of the leading ordnance
officers in the service and has been not only
regarded as one of the ablest but as one OF the
most popular men in the service. His last cruise
was in command OF the Wilmington. when he
made the famous voyage up the Amazon into
Peru the expedition returning last year after
making notable discoveries of commercial value.
He Is a Kentuckian. and graduate or the
Naval Academy in 1866 and a graduate OF the
war College In 1896 AS commander of the
wilmington through the Spanish war he rescued
the Inflated torpedo boat Winslow az Cardenas
cilt the cable at Manzano and took part In
the hattie there, assisted In the landing or the
army at Siboney after conveying the transports
from Florida, and had active blockade duty
throughout the war