The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-25
BROWNSON FORGED
 ID LEAVE NAVY
 g AdmiraPs Ideas Did Not Agree
 With Superiors GOES ON THE RETIRED LIST Rear Admiral Brownson Is Said To Have Disagreed With Presi dent Roosevelt Regarding Cruise
 of American Fleet.
GOES ON THE RETIRED LIST

Washington. December 24.-President Roosevelt today received and accepted the resignation of Rear Admiral Will nam Il. Brownson, as chief Of the bu- feau of navigation. The resignation takes effect immediately, and Capt Cam eron McR. Winslow has been appointed to succeed the admiral No reason for tne resignation Is given at the White House.
 Diligent inquiry of Rear Admiral Brownson, of Secretary Metcalf and at the White House, failed to develop the reason Tor the seemingly sudden re- tlrement Of the rear admiral from tho navigation bureau. Admiral Brownson takes the position that the subject Is one for the discussion of his superior officer which would take the inquiry to Secretary Metcalf. The secretary in turn passed the responsibility of stating the reason for the resignation to Pres ident Roosevelt. Secretary Loeb. speak- ing for the President, says that no ip- formation can be obtained from that source.
 Two theories have been advahced as being sufficient in themselves to bring forth the letter of resignation which Secretary Metcalf presented to the President early this afternoon. One of these reasons Is that the admiral hnds himself unable to agree with the ideas of the President regarding cer- tain important policies to be pursued by the bureau of navigation. Such disagreement honestly enterta ined! would leave the admiral but one course and that is 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 admiral being on the re- tired list of the navy he may not be legally confirmed by the Senate to an appointment to active duty. It is known that the judge advoca te's de- partment of the navy has been wrest- ling with this legal question with spe- cial reference to the case of Admiral Rrownson for several weeks past. 1t ls also known that an open question has recently been rendered. What the effect of this opinion Is can only be surmised, in view of the action taken by the admiral today. Those who De- lieve that it Is the reason for his forth the law to be that his connrma- ton could not be legally executed by the Senate Such d decision would un- doubtedly have the result if causing the admiral to place his resignation Tn the hands of the secretary.
 Admiral Brownson's appointment as chief of the bureau of naviga tion was Iildue py lHS iIcSlIcht uuiiil9 lle re- cess of Congress. It is charged that enc names of the recess appointees are to go to the Senate on it's next con venng after the appointments nave been made. In the present case and because of the uncertainty of the right of the retired naval officer to be as- signed to active duty. Admiral Brown sons name has been withheld from the Senate pending the rendering of the lepal onfuiou in the case. The reaiR- nation and it's acceptance will obviate the raising of the question between the legislative and executive departments of the government as to the right of retired officers to he appointed to ac- tive duty in time of peace. Since Ad- miral Brownson took command of the bureau of navigation, that bureau has had to handle the question of the