The Washington times., 1902-07-21
No Ill-Feeling Over Sec
retary Moodv's Decision
Regarding Precedence.
FO2M R is SENIOR OFFICER
Case Involved the Maintenance of the
Proper Exercise of Authority and
Recognition of the One Rule of Mill
tary Establishments.

Secretary Moody's decision that Rear
Admiral H. C. Taylor. chief of the Bu-
reau of Navigation, is entitled to prece-
dence by seniority to Rear Admiral R
B. Bradford in membership on the Cen
eral Board has not left any scars.
Admiral Bradford will bow to the Sec
retary's dictum by resuming his attend
ance at the meetings of the board, his
request to be excused from attendance
having covered only the period up to
the rendition of Mr. Moody's settlement
of the controversy.
The friendliest relations continue to
exist between Admiral Bradford and Ad-
miral Taylor, and between the first
named officer and Admiral Dewey, who
held originally that Taylor was entitled
riously enough, not for the reason stated
by Secretary Moody in sustaining Ad-
miral Deweys ruling.
In fact, Mr.. Moody disposed Of one
to him. That Admiral Bradford was
seeking the determination of matter
of official principle and not merely the
qualification of any personal feeling, has
been too well recognized by all the par
ties concerned to permit any straining
of any cordial relations among them.
Question of Deep Concern.
While the popular impression has been
that the issue between Admirals Taylor
and Bradford was an unimportant and
trivial personality, the contrary is true.
Their case presented a question of the
deepest concern to the naval service,
involving the maintenance of the proper
exercise of authority and the recogni-
ton of that salient rule of all military
establishments. namely, that senior
must always take precedence in com
mand over Junior when they are serv-
ing together.
In time of war the President has the
OF designating any naval officer
of commanding rank. as supreme com
mander of fleet but his exercise over
officers previously his seniors hardly fur
pishes an exception, as he is given
special commission for his advance grade.
Admiral Bradford's appeal to the Secre-
tary of the Navy did not hinge on the
puerilish point that he and not Admiral
Taylor was entitled 10 the place on Ad-
miral Dewey's right at the meetings OF
the general board, but was based on the
broader and dignified ground, which
vitally concerned every one of the com
missioned personnel, that in the absence
Of the officer of the highest rank in any
fleet or squadron, on board any ship. at
any shore station, or in any board OF
court, the officer next in rank should
not surrender TO a junior his right to
assume the place of the officer absent.
0verruled Predecessor.
Since Secretary Moody's decision has
been announced that fact has come to
light that Mr.. Moody. in rendering it,
1verruled his predecessor. John d. Long,
IN the question of seniority among the
bureau chiefs OF the Navy Department, |
md also as TO the date from which a |
bureau chief serving his second or third |
erm. must be recognized as holding the |
of rear admiral
Mr.. Long laid down the rule that the |
dnk OIL rear dbtulrdI among bureau chiefs !
lated from their first commission as such. |
Mr.. Moody reversed this in holding that |
when bureau chief was appointed for /
second term his rank as rear admiral |
lated from his second appointment.
The issue between Admirals Taylor and
Bradford dates back TO the early part OF |
his year, when Secretary Long was at
he head of the Navy Department. and
Rear admiral A. s. Crowninshield was
hief OF the Bureau OF Navigation.
Admiral Dewey was then as now.
chairman Of the general board and
Admiral Crowninshield was vice chair
nan. Both these officers were absent
rom a board meeting. and Admiral
Bradford, who regarded himself as
iext in rank. and had been so recog-
lized by Admiral Crowninshied. under
ook TO call the meeting to order by
'irtue of his seniority over all the
'ther members.
This action was questioned by Ad-