The morning journal-courier., 1907-12-25
BROWNSON IS OUT His Resignation as Chief of the
 Bureau of Navigation Accepted. NO REASON GIVEN FOR IT It Comes, However, Soon After the
 Publication of the Reuter- " dahl Charges.

Washington, Dec. 24. = President Roosevelt to-day received and accept ed the resignation of Rear-Admiral Willard H. Brownson, as chief of the bureau of navigation. The resignation takes effect immediately, and Comman- der Cameron McR. Winslow has been { appointed to succeed the admiral.
 Diligent inquiry from Rear Admiral l Brownson, from Secretary Metcalf and at the White house failed to develop the reason for the retirement of the rear-admiral from the navigation bureau. Admiral Brownson takes the position that the subject is one for the discussion Q. his superior officers, which would take the inquiry to Sec retary 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 infor- nation can be obtained from that source.
 1 Two theories have been advanced 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 finds himself unable to agree with the ideas of the president regarding certain i'm 1portant policies to be pursued by ;. the bureau of navigation. Such disa- greement, honestly entertained, would leave the admiral but one course. and that to take his place on the retired list and relinquish the active manage lment of the bureau over which he has dominion
 The other reason is that the resr-ad rliral being on the retired list of the navy, may not be legally confirmed by tthe senate to an appointment to active duty. It is known that the judge ad- yocate's department of the navy has been wrestling with this legal ques- ton, with special reference to the case of Admiral Brownson for several weeks past It is also known that an opinion on the question has recently bee ren- dered. What the effect of this opinion Is, can only be surmised in view of the .-~SN-otA SbHASJA " tllc duIIlITdl LO-udy. Those who believe that it is the req son for his resignation say that the opinion set forth tho law to be that his confirmation could not be legally exe- cuted by the senate. Such a decision would undoubtedly have the result of causing the admiral to place his resig- nation in the hands of the secretary.
 Admiral Brcwnson's appointment as chief of the bureau of navigation was made by the president during the re- cess of congress. It is customary fol the names of recess appointments te go to the senate on its next convening after the appointments have been made In the present case, and because of the uncertainty of the right of a retired naval officer to be assigned to active duty Admiral Brownson's name Ina. been withheld from the senate pendins the rendering of the legal opinion il the case The resignation and it's ac ceptance will obyiate the raising of tn question between the legislative ant executive departments of the govern ment as to the right of retired officer: to be appointed to active duty in time of peace.
 Since Admiral Brownson took com mand of the bureau of navigation tha bureau has had to handle the question