The Washington herald., 1907-01-17
.SIGSBEE STEPS OUT
Admiral Takes His Retire
ment PhilOsOphically.
BELIEVES IN ADVANCING MEN
Praises Law which Makes Room for
Younger Officers In the Navy-WiH
Busy-Expects to Make His Future
Home in the Capital City.

Il firmly believe in young men in the
navy. and that each succeeding genera
ton Of naval officers Is better than the
one preceding"
This was the sentiment expressed by
Rear Admiral Charles Dwight Sigsbee.
upon his retirement from active service
in the navy yesterday, under the age
limit law. The admiral, in his own words
takes his retirement most benevolently,
and sturdily defends the law that usher
ed him out Of the service. He believes in
the advancement Of the young men IN
the navy, and thinks that enough is not
done in this direction. He characterizes
the law as excellent, thoughtful and wise,
and says the young officer should receive
commission rank much earlier.
The admiral is hale and hearty, and
declares that he is in as good health as
he ever was. and believes that he has
lost none Of his ability as a navy officer
that he is even more competent, and has
hetteT judgment through his f0rty-two
years service. He believes that respon-
sibility is a great educator. and cited that
ga business houses the country over
young men are put in as superintendents
and managers. while the older men 60 on
the board of directors and use their ex-
perienced judgment as a safety valve
The Service Before the Individual.
Many efforts have been made to in
sure Tapidity of promotion. but this Is
difdcult proposition. he says. The
question is how are you going to do it.
and there has never been a solution
reached that was satisfactory to all con
cerued. Sometimes we propose a scheme
to expedite promotions that in the dis
cussion before Congress altogether too
much weight is given to the personal ef-
feet on individual officer, that is too much
weight in considering justice TO officers and
not enough weight 10 what We call justice
10 the service OF 10 the country. That is
To say. the greatest good TO the greatest
number is all very well ia civil life, but
not necessarily so in the navy. Take for
example a naval officer whose business
it is to be killed if necessary, must also
give way in his highest ambitions in
behalf Of the general good OF the service.
Fear OF doing seeming injustice 10 indi-
yiduals may lead 70 overcautiOn IN pro-
noting the higher interests Of the service.
As for my own retirement. I have no
fear Of being able TO pass my time at
least with interest TO myself. ! have
had such a varied occupation during my
naval career that I shall not lack for
occupation on the retired list If the day
were Is instead Of q hours long. I could
still iii my time satisfactorily 20 myself.
az least
Not Deadi Only Retired.
An officer on The retired list is at
liberty 10 go wherever he likes in his own
country, and can obtain permission 90 go
abroad. but under a recent act Of Con-
gress the Navy Department could. of
course. call on me for duty If It chose.
But in view Of past experiences. il is not
likely TO require the services Of an officer
who is retired through the age channel.
I have rarely, if ever. asked for spe-
cifc duty. I always preferred 20 accept
the orders cf the Navy Department, and
am troubling myself just as little now
that ! am on the retired list I have firm
belief in the competency Of those who are
on the active list. I don't expect 10 be
lonesome for the activiuesrof an officer