New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-30
TAYL0R'S PLACE FILLED.
admiral ConUerse Made Chief of
Bureau of Navigation.
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU. |


Washington. July 29.-Secretary Morton this
afternoon announced the appointment of Rear Ad-
'niral George a. Converse chief OF the Bureau
OF Navigation of the Navy Department. to sue
ceed Rear Admiral H. c. Taylor. who died at Cop
per Cliffs. Canada Tuesday night. The appoint
nlent discussed by Secretary Morton with the
President the Cabinet meeting to-day. and 1t
was decided that the vacancy must be filled at
once. there doubt as to the legality OF
the acts Of an acting chief. The appointment of
Admiral Converse was announced Immediately
after the meeting
The appointment was a great surprise TO the
navy. The name OF Admiral Converse had not been
mentioned in connection with the place, largely for
the reason tnat he was not a receptive candi-
date and had a preference for his present duty as
chief of ordnance, for which he Is admirably fitted
The selection at the time, will be Endorsed
every side. Admiral Converse Is tactful in his
relations with others and is fairminded and with
prejudice, qualities which will insure clean
cut ADMINISTRATION of the bureau. which has to do
with the affairs of the commissioned personnel. Not
long ago Admiral Converse was appointed chief Of
the Bureau of Equipment. a place which had been
urged him while he was in command OF the
Illinois. When Admiral O'NeIl's term as chief Of
ordnance expired Admiral Converse transferred
TO that place The detail a surprise to him.
and now the transfer TO the Bureau Of Navigation
gives him a record the officer who has held
three bureau chiefships in almost many months.
Admiral Converse is Of the ablest ordnance
officers Of the navy, and when he selected 10
would profit by his connection with ordnance ad-
mnistraton. There were many question to be set
tied. and, most of all. there harsh criticisms
to be met and II is in the midst OF mportant
work that he is transferred the Bureau Of NavI-
CATION. The detail is high compliment 20 the
officer and means that the President is determined
to introduce conservative element in the manage
ment of the affairs of the personnel For one thing
It puts serious setback the scheme for a naval
General STAFF. Of which Rear Admiral Taylor was
the father
Robey D. Evans whom Rear Admiral Tuylor. his
brother-in-law. described recently as his logical
successor, not detailed the important billet
Some officers viii rejoice over the incident which
keeps Admiral Evans out OF this influential place
mainly those who nurse grievance resulting from
having served under him on the Asiatic station II
has been limited that these officers have worked
against him. and that Admiral Dewey used his in
nuence TO Illustrate the plan to appoint him. II
will also be said by Admiral Evans's friends that
his health made it impossible for him to undertake
the duties OF the place Whatever division OF senti-
ment there may be in regard TO Admiral Evans
there will be entire unanimity in the approval Of
the selection Of Admiral Converse He is outside
OF any ISGtSn and Will make al admirable adviser
Admiral Converse born in Vermont. was ap-
pointed to the Naval Academy September -
1861. and was graduated in IS65. He served on the
sloop Cananda!gua, OF the European squadron. from
1855 TO 1853 being promoted TO ensign in 1868, TO
20 1877 he was torpedo service He served or the
Marion on the European station from 1877 10 1873
absence sick leave he returned 10 the Europeaa
station. serving the Lancaster from 1883 20 ISS5
Later he was istructor at the TORPEDO station being
promotes 10 commander IN 1889. From June H.
1897 TO 1893 he commanded the cruiser Montgomery
or the North Atlantic squadron. lie became cap
tam on March s. 1883. and rear admiral few
months ago