The Washington times., 1901-10-27
RELIEVED AT HIS REQUEST.
The Transfer of CrowninshicId Con-
Grmcd by Secretary Long.

Secretary Long yesterday formally
made announcement that Rear Admiral
Crowninshield will be detached in March
next from the Bureau of Navigation of
which he is now the chief and also an
nounced the selection of Rear Admiral
Taylor To succeed him Admiral Crownin-
shield will be placed in command of the
European station, to succeed Rear Ad
miral Cromwell
The Secretary declared that Admiral
Crowninshield is to be detached at his
own request, and not on account of out
side pressure. Mr.. Lorg gave to the pres
ent head of the Navigation Bureau all the
credit for the trip of the oregon around
Cape Horn to reach the West Indies, in
1898. and said that the relations between
Rear Admiral Crowninshield and Presi-
dent Roosevelt when the latter was As
sistant Secretary of the Navy has been
most cordial 1t is given out at the Navy
Department that Rear Admiral Crownin-
shield asked to be relieved from duty at
the head of the Bureau Of Navigation
last summer.
1T is not intended as a reward" said
Secretary Long when discussing the pro-
posed assignment yesterday, nor can
1t be considered as a promotion for the
Chiefship of the Bureau of Navigation Is
perhaps the highest position in the de-
partm6nt Rear Admiral Crowninshield
will take command of the European fleet
in March Rear Admiral ]. b. Cromwell,
now in command of that station, will be
placed on the retired list in February
In refutation of the report Of friction
between Rear Admiral Crowninshield and
Mr.. Roosevelt. Secretary Long cited the
l. ord
which existed between the Chief of the
Bureau and the the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy:
When the war with Spain broke out
the Oregon was at San Francisco. When
the battle of Manila occurred. resulting In
a complete victory, there was no work
for the vessel to do in the Pacific, and
Rear Admiral Crownins shield suggested
that the Oregon should be sent around to
join the fleet in the West Indies. Presi-
dent Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary
of the Navy, agreed at once that the idea
was an excellent one, and the project was
carried out, how successfully everyone
knows.
Rear Admiral Taylor has been decided
upon to succeed Admiral Crowninshield,
continued the Secretary. He will be
made Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
He was also my choice four years ago,
but declined to accept the position, pre-
ferring to be placed in command of the
Indiana When Captain Crowninshield
was selected four years ago the position
had been offered to Sampson. Sicard and
Taylor all of whom preferred other as
sgnments. Rear Admiral Sicard had been
promised the post held by Rear Admiral
Runce in the command Of the North At
lantic Squadron; Sampson desired sea
duty. as did Taylor. and Crowninshield
was accordingly made Chief Of the Bureau
of Navigation. 1t is a hard position to
hold" concluded Secretary Long, and |
don't imagine that a man has ever held
it ard been popular"
When asked whether Rear Admiral
Taylor would accept the position at the
head of the Bureau of Navigation, Sec
retary Long smiled and intimated that ne
would be obliged to. Rear Admiral Taylor
is now a member Of the general board,
Of which Admiral Dewey Is president.
The present line rank of Rear Admiral
Crowninshield is captain, the higher rank
being given by courtesy to all chiefs ot
bureaus In March. Rear Admiral
Howell, now on duty in this city, Will be
retired and Rear Admirals Sampson and
Cromwell will each retire on February 3.
Their retirements will resul: in the pro-
motions Of Capt. p. II. Cooper and Capt:
G. H Wadleigh, and will place Admiral
Crowninshield at the head of the list OF