The Washington herald., 1907-12-29
CONGRESS MAY ACT.
Continued from Page One.


is regarded as particularly opportune by
those who side with Rear Admiral Brown
son in his protest against the assign
ment of command rank to staff officers
for among the reports is one submitted
by a board headed by Surgeon General
Rixey. which proposes to give positive
military rank asld title to officers OF the
Medical Corps.
Review of Conditions.
In addition to Surgeon General Rixey
the subboard appointed to consider
whether changes in the regulations reiat-
ing TO the Medical Corps were desirable,
was composed of Medical Director George
E. II. Harmon and Surgeon James +.
Legs. This report contains a long re-
view Of conditions in the Medical Corps.
but the public interest will be confined
&c a few paragraphs suggesting the
change in rank and titles.
Surgeon General Rixey. II is shown. has
gone a step farther than his reoommen-
dation Of a few years ago. that he be
given the title OF surgeon-admiraL He
now wants the distinguishing term sur
geon eliminated. and 10 be designated by
the title Of Read Admiral with the
term medical corps" after his name.
With President Roosevelt holding that
naval surgeon under present condi-
ton can command a hospital ship, the
new legislation recommended by Sur
geon General Rixey might be construed
10 give a rear admiral OF the Medical
Corps the right 20 command a fleet
In the report to a personnel board, Sur
geon General Rixey and his two assoc
ciates speak for authority 10 put four
rear admirais In the Medical Corps. They
say in this connection:
we recommend the enactment OF legis-
lation reorganizing the Medical Corps Of
the navy, with titles and numbers in the
various grades as follows: Officers OF
the Medical Corps 10 be Reconnaissance
with these titles and 10 be so addressed
in orders and official communications:
''One rear admirai and surgeon gen
eral. with the rank of rear admiral OF
the upper nine numbers in the line Of
the navy. and the pay and allowances Of
a major general in the army. appointment
TO be made as at present. An assistant
to the bureau, 10 be appointed as now
provided by law.
Three rear admirals. medical corps, with
a rank OF rear admiral of the lower nine
numbers in the line Of the navy. and the
pay and allowances Of a brigadier general
in the army This Is a new and distinct
grade Promotion 10 this grade 10 be
made from the rank OF captain. medical
corps present medical directors). 10 be
nominated by the President upon the rec
ommendation OF the Surgeon General Of
the navy founded upon the record Of the
officer for special efficiency. and approved
by the Secretary Of the Navy. This new
grade, we believe. is well justified
In addition 20 these. the medical board
wants twenty captains. instead Of medical
directors, the present title: twenty-four
commanders, instead of medical inspect
ors: one hundred Lieutenant commanders.
instead Of surgeons. and one hundred and
ninety-seven Heutenants and lieutenants
junior grade. instead OF passed assistant
and assistant surgeons.
The subboard. representing the pay
corps, asks also IN its report, that pay
officers Of the navy be placed on the same
plane in respect 70 titles as pay officers
the present grade names-assistant pay
master. passed assistant paymaster. pay
master pay inspector. and pay director
be abolished"
Army and naval officers fear the pres
ent airing OF naval affairs and the pros
pect Of exhaustive discussion Of the sub
ject in Congress viii injUre the chances
OF the bill for increasing the pay OF the
commissioned and enlisted personnel OF
all the military branches Of the govern
ment. They contend that this bill en-
braces matters entirely removed from the
naval controversy, and are anxious 70
have Congress and the public so under
stand.
Line officer in Command.
Secretary MetcaIf said yesterday that il
a crew Of merchant sailors cannot be OBJ
tanned for the Relief. enlisted men OF the
regular navy will be used and line officer
VIII be placed in command Of the vessel
This viii concede the point contended for
by Rear Admiral Brownson, who re-
signed because the President declined 10
acknowledge that a naval surgeon had no
right 10 exercise command over a naval
ship. If this alternate plan is carried out.
Surgeon Stokes. who was selected TO com
mand the Relief, will be assigned to the
vessel merely Gs superintendent OF the
hospital and the hospital force.
Secretary Metcalf said. also that IL the
Relief We're given a crew OF merchant
seamen, and hired officers of the mer-
chant service. all under command OF Sur
geOn Stokes, the scheme would be for
trial of six months. and II the experiment
proved satisfactory, the plan Of having
surgeons In command Of hospital ships
would be made a permanent thing.
Secretary Metcalf declined 10 talk for
publication yesterday In regard 20 the
interview with Senator Hale. in which
the Senator commended Admiral Brown
son for his action. It is known, how
ever. that Secretary Metcalf is in
thorough sympathy with President Roose-
velts decision to place a surgeon in
command Of the Relief. and that he dis
approves Of the attitude OF Admiral
BrOwnsOn-
Commands Cameron McRae Winslow,
the Acting Chief OF the Bureau of Navi-
sons late Office for the asking, doesn't
want 20 be chief. He will reach the rank
Of captain next month. and IS anxious TO
go 10 sea as commander OF the battle
ship New Hampshire. His inclinations
are against bureau duty.
TAGGART PROBABLE WINNER.