The Washington times., 1907-12-27
BROWNSON OUT;
ORDER AWAKENS
OFFICERS ANGER
Admiral ralRelievedof Work
in Bureau and Joint
Board Membership.
May Resign From Navy
and Publish His Letter
to President.

Rear Admiral Brownson. retired.
detached duty. Chief of Bureau Of
Navigation. Navy Department.
Washington, d. c., and member
Joint Army ana Navy Board; 70
home.
This order appeared at the top of the
regular sheet OF Naval orders issued
today. II was signed by Commander c.
MGR. WinslOw, as Acting Chief Of
Bureau" 1t was. however. also signed
by the Secretary Of the Navy.
The announcement was OF intense In
terest 10 the army as well as the navy.
and was entirely unexpected, as II was
never for a moment thought that the
President. after A5miral Brownson's s
resignation from the Bureau Of Navi-
CATION would go so far as 20 relieve
him entirely Of any connection whatso-
ever with the department. This has
added fuel 10 the fame OF Indignation
In the line Of the navy, and II IS charac-
terized as entirely unCalled for. unjust
unfriendly. and unkind, ana as one Of
the smallest acts' Of the President
Details Not Overlooked.
Admiral Brownson's membership on
the joint board was entirely independent
Of his Office as chief Of the Bureau Of
Navigation, and apparently Il was not
overlooked in the outcome Of the Roose-
-RiIey- -BrOwnson controversy.
The vacancy on the board created by
Admiral BrOwnsOn's detachment from
the beard has not been filed. His re-
moval is important to both branches Of
the service for the reason that he WAS a
strong advocate Of the location OF the
arIny's fOrti1catiOns at uSbig Bay IN
stead OF CaVite, as favored by Secretary
/ TAFT and the army members.
A recommendation fayoring Subig Bay
was put up by the Naval members at
the last meeting OF the board. but the
army members blocked definite recon-
mendations pending the arrival OF SeCTe-
tary Taft. The action was cabled 70 the
Secretary in Manila and he visited both
places, but withheld decision pending his
return 10 Washington.
Makeup of Board.
The Joint board az the last meeting
was composed of Admiral Dewey. pres
ident. Rear Admiral Brownson. Captain
Barnette, and Captain Wainwright, rep
resenting the navy, and General Bell,
chief OF stan: General Duvau, assistant
chief Of stan; General Murray. chief Of
artillery, and General WOtherspoon,
president of the War College. represent
ing the army. Captain Wainwright
being sent with the Atlantic feet 10 the
Pacific created a vacancy which has
not yet been filed. Captain Earnette,
who was also on the general board,
was recently detailed as superintendent
OF the Naval Observatory Captain
Barnette was relieved Of general board
duty and was retained on the joint
board pending the settlement Of the
Philippine fortidcation question.
Commander WnslOw. acting chief Of
the Bureau OF Navigation. occupied
the unique position today OF issuing
the orders detaching his former chier
from duty The orders were signed by
Secretary Metcalf, however. Had Ad-
miral BrOwnson been retained on the
joint board. he would have drawn full
pay, but now he Will be entitled 10
only two-thirds the pay of rear ad-
miral
Admiral BrownsOn will leave the city
in few days for duck shooting eNpe-
ditiOn IN the South He does not know
just when he viii leave or how long
he will be gone. II was said on good
authority today that the correspondence
relating to his controversy with the Pres
ldent was given out by the President,
1T was not only possible but probable
that the admiral would resign from the
navy and himself give Il ont to set
forth the line side OF the ,ase. This
would undoubtedly please The line Of
dcers though most OF then would re-
gret to see him leave the service alto
gether
Rixey's Order Not Signed.
The order assigning Surgeon Stokes
to the command Of the hospital shin
Relief. signed by Surgeon General
RiXey, reached Commander VVinslow.
acting chief Os the Bureau of Navfea-
tiOn, at the same time as did the order
relative to Admiral Brownson. but it
has not yet been signed or ISSUED.
DR. RiXey, who accompanied tho
President to Pine Knot YESTERDAY. As