Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-25
A NAVAL SENSATION
BroWnSon's Resignation as
Chief of Navigation Bureau.
CAUSES THAT LED TO 1T
Differed With President as to Mat
ters of Policy.
HAS CAUSED MUCH SURPRISE
Capt Cameron MGR. Winslow, His
Assistant, to Be Temporarily at
the Head of Bureau.
CAUSES THAT LED TO 1T
HAS CAUSED MUCH SURPRISE

The naval sensation of the day is the
sudden and unexpected retirement Of
Rear Admiral William H. Brownson from
the Office of chief of the bureau of navi-
cation, unquestionably the most i'm
portant of the bureau offices in the naval
establishment. AS stated in yesterdays
Star. Admiral Brownson resigned that
office few lays ago and the President
accepted his resignation yesterday to take
effect at once at the same time directing
that he transfer the office to Capt. Cam
eron MGR. Winslow, assistant chief of the
bureau. until his successor shall have
been appointed The publication in The
Star was the first intimation the service
and the public generally received that
there was lack of official harmony be-
tween the President and the chief of the
naval bureau of navigation, and naturally
there was much curiosity as to what had
occasioned the sudden retirement of the
latter official.
Reasons for His Resignation.
Diligent inquiry from Rear Admiral
Brownson, from Secretary Metcalf and
at the White House failed to develop Off
cially the reason for the resignation of
Rear Admiral Brownson. Admiral Brown
son takes the position that the subject is
one for the discuss on of his superior Of
ficer, which would take the inquiry to
Secretary Metcalf. The Secretary, in
turn, passes the responsibility of stating
the reason of the resignation to President
Roosevelt. Secretary Loeb, speaking for
the President, says that no information
can be obtained from that source.
Notwithstanding this retcenc on the
part of those directly concerned, 1t was
learned that the main reason for the ad-
miral's resignation of his bureau ofhce
was that he found himself unable TO
agree with the ideas of the President re-
garding certain important policies 20 be
pursued by the bureau of navigat on. Sucn
disagreement, honestly entertained, lett
the admiral but one course, and that was
TO take his place on the retired list and
relinquish the active management or the
bureau over which he has had dominion.
Another reason for Admiral Brownson
action, il Is said. Is that Senator Hale
chairman of the Senate naval committee,
had notified the President that the ad-
miral, being on the retired hst OF Ine navy,
could not be confirmed by the Senate to
an appointment to active duty. 1t Is
known that the judge advocates depart
ment of the navy has Pee-- wrestling with
tho case of Admiral Brownson. for
severalNtee past. II also is known that
an opinAn on the question has recently
been reASSsed. The effect of this opinion
the admiral The few who believe that it
! was the reAson for his resignation say
that the opinion set forth the law to be
that his- confirmation could not be legally
executed by the Senate.
Made Chief of Navigation Bureau.
Admiral Bro~nson'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 lon its next convening after the
appointments have been made In the
present case. and because OF the uocer-
tainty of the right of a retired naval Off
Ger 10 be appointed to active charge Of
bureau. Admiral Brownsons name has
been withheld from the Senate pending
the rendering of the legal opinion in the
case. The resignation and its acceptance
obviates The raising Of the question be-
tween the legislative and executive de-
partments of the government as to the
right of retired officers to be appointed to
active duty in time of peace in the case
of Admiral Brownson.
Admiral Brownsson today turned over
the affairs of his Office to Commander
Winslow. who has been designated to
take charge of its work. The admiral
had his private papers gathered together
by his messenger and they were sent to
his home. He then said goodbye to his
late associates in the office. Admiral
the reasons which led up to his resigna
tion. Ell made it manifest that any in
formation bearing on the subject must
come from those higher up in official life,
to whom he refers all who ask him for
any news on the subject. lie said it
was with the greatest regret that he
takes leave of the Navy Department in
an active capacity after his forty-six
years OF service. There was every evil
dence, of this in his manner and in his
voice as he was giving the final direc-
tiOns to the subordinates in his office to-
day preparatory to leaving them for
good.
Cause of Rupture.
The official rupture between the Presi-
dent and Admiral Brownson was due
primarily to the Presidents approval of
the recommendation of Rear Admiral
Presley NJ. Rixey. the surgeon general
OF the navy. that the hospital ship Relief
be fitted and attached to the Atlantic fleet
when it reached the Pacific coast, where
the Relief now is. Admiral Rixey urged
that the Relief be placed in command of
a naval surgeon. with certain officers of
the>merchant-s service as his subordinates
and that the crew be composed of regu-
larly enlisted bluejackets OF the navy
President Roosevelt liked the idea and
the plans for carrying it out progressed
So far that Surgeon Charles F. Stokes
was ordered TO prepare to take command
Against that course Admiral Brownson
protested. He contended that it was i'm
proper 10 have staff officer. and a sur
geon at that, in command of a vessel in
commission. He declared that it was
contrary 10 practice and would interfere
seriously with discipline.
The slightest knowledge of the feeling
in the line of the navy against permitting
staff officers to exercise positive COM
maud will be sufficient to show how seri-
ously this question was viewed by Ad-
miral Brownson.
Came to a Climax
Yesterday matters came TO climax
President Roosevelt told Admiral Brown
son that he had decided to adhere to the
plan proposed by Surg. Gen. Rixey, and
would assign naval surgeon to COM
mand the Relief. Thereupon Admiral
Brownson. who is noted for his frank
ness stated. II is said that as the Presi-
dent apparently had lost confidence in
the judgment OF the chief of the bureau
of navigation. the matter could be simpli-
nhi Of urhn