Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-25
WNSON
OUS7EDFROM
NAVYDEP'T
HEAD OF NAVIGATION BUREAU
IS OUT
METcALF "PAssEs 1T UP" TO
PRESIDENT
Roosevelt Accepts Withdrawal Of
official-Action Is shrouded
in Deep Mys-
terry

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Dec. A.-President
Roosevelt today received and accepted
the resignation of Rear Admiral Willard
II. Brownson as chief of the bureau of
navigation. The resignation takes effect
Immediately, and Capt. Cameron MGR.
Winslow has bee nappointed to succeed
the admiral. No reason for the resig-
nation is given at the White House.
Diligent inquiry from Rear Admiral
Brownson, from Secretary Metcaif and
at the White House failed to develop the
reason for the seemingly sudden retire
ment of the rear admiral from the nayi-
cation bureau Admiral Brownson takes
the position that the subject is one for
| the discussion of the superior Officers,
who would take the matter to Secretary
Metcaif. secretary, turn, passed
| the responsibility of stating the reason
| of the resignation to President Roosevelt
| Secretary Loeb, speaking for the presi-
| dent says that no information can be
| obtained from that source.
| Two theories have been advanced as
| being sufficient in themselves to bring
| forth the letter of resignation which
Secretary Metcalf presented to the presi-
dent today. One OF these reasons is that
| the admiral finds himself unable to agree
with the president regarding certain inn
portant policies to be pursued by the
bureau of navigation.
Disagreement Rumored
| Such a disagreement, honestly enter
| tanned, would leave the admiral but one
course and that to take his place on
| the retired list and relinquish the active
management of the bureau over which
| he has dominated. The other reason Is
that the rear admiral, being on the re-
| tired list of the navy, may not be legally
confirmed by the senate to an appoint
ment to executive duty.
! 1t is known that the judge advocates
department of the navy has been wrest-
| ling with this legal question, with spe-
| cial reference to the case of Admiral
Brownson, for several weeks past. 1t
also is known that an opinion on the
| question has been rendered. What this
opinion is can only be surmised, In view
of the action taken by the admiral to-
day. Those who believe that it is the
reason for his resignation say that the
| opinion set forth the law to be that his
| confirmation could not be legally ex-
ecuted by the senate. Such decision
would undoubtedly have the result Of
causing the admiral to place his resig-
nation in the hands of the secretary.
Admiral Brownson's appointment as
! chief of the bureau of navigation was
/ made by the president during the recess
! of congress. 1t is customary for the
| names of recess appointees to go to the
| senate OH II SHexI 9COnVenlnS dILer lne
| appointments have been made In the
present case, and because of the uncer-
| tainty of the right of a retired naval
| officer to be assigned to active duty.
| Admiral Brownsons name has been. with
| he'd from the senate pending the render
| ing of the legal opinion in the case.
The resignation and its acceptance will
obviate the raising of the question be-
tween the execute and legislative de-
partments of the government as to the
right of retired officers to be appointed
to active duty in time of peace.
In Charge of Fleet Movement
| Since Admiral Brownson took charge
of the bureau of navigation that bureau
| has had to handle the question of the
! cruise of the Atlantic fleet to the Pa
cific, the greatest practice movement Of
| the navy during its history. The resig-
nation of Admiral Brownson as chief of
the bureau has the effect of placing him
in his former position on the retired list
| of the navy.
| Commander Winslow, who has been
| designated to act as the head of the
navigation bureau, has for some time
past been assistant to Admiral Brownson,
and consequently is familiar with the
| duties Of the bureau. However, it is
known that Commander Winslow is anx-.
ious to obtain command of the new bat
| tleship New Hampshire, so it is believed
that his present resignation is intended
! to bridge over an interval during which
| the president can select another officer.
Among the names mentioned in that
connection is that of Capt. Richardson
I Clover. at present head of the board of
inspection and survey, who was consid-
| cred for that place at the time Admiral
Brownson's term of active service ex-
pired and it was supposed that he was
to give way to an officer on the active
| list.
Another name which it is known has
been considered is that Of Lieut.. Com
mander Sims. who is one of the presi-
| dents aides. and who has attained spe-