The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-28
CONGRESS NAY ACT
Lawmakers to Settle Squabble
in the Navy.
FEELING BECOMES ACUTE
President Roosevelt Couldn't Adjust
Difference Between Admiral Brown
son and Surgeon General Rixey,
Resulting In Formers Resignation.

Washington. Dec. 27.-Not since the
days preceding the passage OF the per-
sonael law ten years ago, has the
feeling between line and STAFF Of the
navy been so acute as it is today. as
the refusal of Admiral Brownson IN
transmit orders from his superior Of
foer. the president OF the United
States. assigning a naval surgeon to
commani vessel in the navy.
In the case Of the personnel act II
was Mr.. Roosevelt then assistant sec
retary OF the navy who acted The part
81 pacihcaior and succeeded in bring
Ing the two warning factions together
In support OF the legislation which for
decade past. though makeshlit, has
served to maintain peace between the
two FACTIONS in the navy.
In the present instance, however
the efforts Of the president to recon
cile the surgeons and the line officers
have failed. and Il Is probable that
the whole controversy Will be threshei
out on It's merits in congress. This Is
much deprecated by conservative Of
Gcors in both line and stan, as likely
to prove prejudicial to the navy's In
terest as a whole.
Through the published statement Of
Surgeon General Rixey the merits Of
the Doctors side Of the case in this
instance have been clearly set forth.
Line officers believe that in common
fairness they should also have a hear
ing. Bat they are In an embarrassing
position in that respect. Admiral
Brownson preceded resignation by
a cold, clear and logical presentation
OF the reasons why he objected 10 the
assignment Of a physician TO command
a naval ship. even though that vessel
were exclusively devoted to hospital
uses.
That statement was submitted to
the president. and Notwithstanding the
staff has had It's say In print. qppli-
cations at the White House for this
letter are met with refusal. Now It Is
clearly impossible for Admiral Brown
son or any Of his line officers 70 make
public a copy Of the letter Without In
curing the risk Of a courtmart'al on
charges Of disrespect towards their
superior officer. the president Of the
United States. SO they can only look
for a change in the executive mind or
FOR the congressional investigation
which will develop all the facts.
II may be stated In the absence OF
the text OF Admiral Brownson's letter,
that his objection to the execution Of
the presidents order to place a sur
geon In command OF the hospital ship
Relief was twofold. In the first place.
like every line officer, he believed
that the subordinatlon OF any line
officer. no matter how low In grade. to
the staff officer On shipboard. was bad
policy and subversive Of naval disci-
pline. But a stronger objection in his
mind was that the proposed action
was clearly Illegal. inasmuch as 1t Is
forbidden by law or naval regulation
to assign star officer to command a
ship.
It Is only fair to the staff side to
state that this Is debatable ground.
and that II would not be difficult to
construe the naval laws and regula-
lions either way. So It Is not to be
doubted that when the subject comes
before congress for consideration the
lawyers in that body will find ma
ferial 10 snnnort either contention.