The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-10-26
On the Run, Secretary Long
Covering Their Retreat.
CROWNINSHIELD'S OUT
His Successor in the Navigation
Bureau Soon to Be Named.
MAY BE FURTHER HUMILTATED
Full story of How Roosevelt and
CrOwninshield Were Appointed
to Navy Department.


Washington, Oct 26.-Secretary Long Of
the navy confirms the report that Ad-
miral Crowninshield will be relieved Of
his position as chief Of the bureau Of
navigation. The new and interesting de-
velopment to-day is the fact that fight
has started TO prevent the assignment
OF Crowninshield to the command Of the
European station, which is one Of the
most coveted places in the navy.
Crowninshield mas lost his fight with
Schley, and now the victors are deter
mined that his humiliation be made com
plete. Senator Platt of New York has
always been the power behind Crownin-
shield, and he is now standing by him.
Platt secured Crowninshield's assign
ment to the bureau by promising not to
oppose Roosevelt, who had been ap-
pointed assistant secretary Of the navy on
the recommendation of Tom Reed and
others.
o.. -
OcCIeIdTy GOuS - uOluS Iu6 DS5I
he can to cover the retreat Of the
antiSchley crowd, but 1t is ad-
mitted that they are on the run.
o..-............ .'...-''.'''.
Unless Platt prevents, Crowninshield
will be given some less pleasant duty than
attending the coronation of King Edward.
1t Is RetributiOn.
The promised removal of Crowninshield
is generally regarded as the crowning
fruit OF the Schley investigation. Schley
is coming out on top, and it becomes
necessary to get rid of department head
who was responsible for stirring up the
trouble This is the way in which Crown
inshield's removal is generally regarded
here. Naturally the Schley people are
wildly exaggerating the affair and striving
in every way to belittle and besmirch
Crowninshield, which no doubt explains
why | am able to give to-day an authori-
tative statement Of the Crowninshield ap-
pointment and Roosevelt's relations to the
navy department as assistant secretary.
Friends Of Schley know that the depart
ment is on the run, and are determined
that Crowninshield shall not get away
without being scotched. The feeling
against him here is running very high to-
day.
How They Were Appointed.
On the highest authority T he Jour
nal is able to-day to give a full story
covering the appointment Of Roosevelt
and Crownishield to places in the navy
department at the beginning of McKin-
ley's first term. The day that Long for
mally agreed to accept the navy portfolio
he received long letter from Thomas B.
Reed, full Of humor but very earnest, in
his expression of desire that Roosevelt
be appointed assistant secretary. This
was one of several recommendations of
similar character. When Long saw Nc
Kinley in Washington they discussed
Roosevelt and decided that he should be
asked to take the office.
They also considered the forthcoming
vacancy in the bureau OF navigation. Nc
Kinley requested Long to take full charge
and appoint some good man, and the place
was accordingly offered to three men in
succession, each of whom declined it.
Taylor, who is now to take it, did not
then want 1t, because 1t would cut him
out Of sea duty. Sampson also preferred
to go to sea, chiefly because Of i'll health.
Meanwhile all sorts of recommendations
came from senators, congressman and
others in behalf of captains who wanted
the position. On the declination Of Sc
card Secretary Long discussed with him
list of available men and Sicard recon-
mended three as being qualified, placing
Crowinshield at the head of the list
Recommendations for Crowinshield came
also from prominent politicians, among
the Senator Platt OF New York, but there
never was any suggestion to Long that
Crowinshields selection was necessary in
order to render palatable to the New York
machine the appointment Of Roosevelt. 1t
is possible. of course, that Plat, who was
then feeling in not too pleasant a frame
of mind towards Roosevelt, may have been
Influenced to make fight against him in
the state by fear that somebody would
retaliate by fighting Crowinshield. This,
however, is only conjecture.
ROOseveIt-CrOwnins Differences
Roosevelt and Crowninshield worked
harmoniously in the department. Differ
ences of opinion arose between them oc-
casionally on matters of policy, but these
always arise between men heading re-
sponsible departments. 1t has been said
that Crowninshield and Roosevelt quar-
relied over the bringing Of the Oregon
around the horn, but this was one point
on which Long, Roosevelt and Crownln-
shield were agreed.
Crowningshield has long wanted to go
to sea. especially since he will become
rear admiral in regular order next March
President Mckinley had decided to crafty
this wish, and President Roosevelt as the
occasion arises, is merely carrying out
his predecessors plans. Neither president
has had any desire "to get rid OF
| Crowninshield."
w. w. Jermane.