New-York tribune., 1907-12-28
THENAVYC CONTROVERSY
TIEU,S OF SEN4TOR H4LE.
Effect on Legislation Discussed
Pre1ious Rulings.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau

bureau of navigation Formal orders were is
sued to-day. dated yesterday, detachins that
officer from duty at the head of the bureau and
as member of the general board This action
was merely. routine Opinions differ both in and
outside the service to the merits of the con-
troversy.
Naval officers have been discussing the prob
able effect of the controversy upon service leg
islation especially in its bearing upon the ser
vice pay bill and naval personnel relief The
opinion prevails that the incident VIII not in
lure the chances of enacting the service pay biii
although it is apt to add to the difficulties which
have always beset any attempt to adjust differ
ences in the naval personnel situation
1t is appreciated that the controversy will be
the subject of discussion in Congress. whether
or not il Is used as an obstruction to legisla-
ton 1t may even lead to investigation of
departmental methods, largely on account of the
public attention which has been directed. some
of it without intelligence OF criticism, to the
naval establishment, and its administration and
personnel.
There was an impression at the Navy De-
partment to-day that Senator Hale, chairman OK
the Naval Affairs Committee. would probably cali
for all the correspondence just as he did in the
case Of the reports made by naval staff boards
containing recommendations for the relief Of
the respective corps.
VIEWS OF SENATOR HALE.
Senator Hale. himself tonight at rest all
doubts as to his position. when asked regard
ing IT.
ITO begin with" the Senator said. admiral
Brownson is of the ablest and most accom-
plished officers of the navy No one has shown
more executive ability in every situation where
he has been placed than Admiral Brownson
The controversy that has arisen. and which has
resulted in the adrnirars resignation. raises the
old question between line and staff. and in this
case something more than that
In all that controversy, thus far. my SYM
pathies have been with the staff. believe that
staff officers should receive positive rank and
complete recognition by title. the same IS in
the army. where, far as learn. no harm
10 the service has resulted. And before this
incident had prepared bill for introduction
in the Senate, giving to the staff positive rank
and tituIar recognition everywhere in the ser
vice But in framing the bill I added this
clause Provided. that such staff officer
shall be put in actual command of any naval
vessel
Notwithstanding the strong presentation of
his case by Surgeon General RiJey don't
know of any instance when controversy has
arisen and both sides have beeh heard where
any other than a line officer has been put in
actual command of a naval vessel don't
understand that before this staff officers insist
Ing that they should receive positive rank and
title have claimed actual command
Indeed one of the objections made TO this
by the line has always been that the granting
TO the staff of such rank and title would De fol-
lowed by a fursher claim for actual command
I think this has generally been repudated by
the old staff officers, and ! certainly have al
wavs taken that position / believe 1t would he
subversive of order and discipline for surgeon
or rayrnaster chaplain to be In command
Of a naval vessel manned by crew of naval
seamen-
There Is something refreshing about the cour-
age and independence shown by Admiral Brown
son in Immediately rendering his resignation
when he was overruled in his views OF the law
and of the policy In his bureau. which he deemed
for the essential good of the navy He is not
made of the stuff that, when overruled. SUD-
mits feeble protest and pockets the hurnilia-
ton Of continuing in a rebuked and discredited
service I venture to say he Will lose nothing
with his associates with the country for his
self-respecting course
IN SAYING this am not speaking for him. for
have seen neither him nor any of his friends
since his resignation What say has its root
I'm an official connection with the navy for nearly
forty years In both branches OF Congress.
ENDORSEMENTS BY BONAPARTE-
As long ago as December IL. 1906 the Sec
retary of the Navy. Mr.. Bonaparte, after he had
bsen confirmed by the Senate az Attorney Gen.
oral and was leaving the Navy Department. sent
to the various bureaus his Endorsement on the
renor, OF the joint board of medical officers con-
vened by the President TO consider improve
nents in first aid dressings and uniformity OF
.ouiDr,sut for the medical department. OF the
army and navy in regard to hospital ships. This
Endorsement In three clauses, was as follows:
1h, department. having carefully considered
he. Spx-lr nraN ding fT-
not covered by its fifth Endorsement OF June Ia.
1906, as follows
shin in commission in time of peace. partly for
the benefit of the personnel OF the Atlantic fleet.
- Which such ship should be attached, but
no,;nIy as a school for surgeons. nurses and the
hosnitaI corps in the peculiar duties they would
be required TO perform in time OF war. When
s,eh ship is provided the department holds
that the space allotted to sick bays on our more
recent battIeships and armored cruisers can be
and ought 10 be materially reduced and en-
Moved for other purposes The department
does not deem il advisable under existing Cir
cumstances construct hospital ship. mas
much as vessel of this class IS already in
istence and can be commissioned
Second-The department holds that such a
shin when in commission. should be treated as
a floating hospital. and as such placed under the
command of medical officer. her navigation be-
ing controlled by competent sailing master
In war time the entire crew should be. far
as possible specially enlisted from ciyiIians as
men of hospital corps and for such time only as
their services will probably be needed In time
of peace the crew, except such are engaged
i'm hospital duties. could be organized substan-
tialv as is that of naval auxiliary. but subject
to the provision above set forth as TO the COM
mand-
Third-A hospital ship should be provided
with a chaplain chaplains of such faith as To
be most ServiceaDle 10 tne greater number OF
patients aboard
The joint board had recommended the con-
stzaetion OF two hospital ships for the army and
act