The Washington times., 1907-12-26
BrOWnSOn Wrong
In Relief Matter,
Says DR.. Rixey

Surgeon General Rixey, of the Navy,
in a prepared statement given out last
night sets forth In terse language the
views held by himself and the Presi-
dent. with regard 10 the controversy
over the command OF naval hospital
ship, which caused Admiral Brownson
20 resign, when Overruled- 1t IS as
follows:
Admiral Brownson and I have b, en-
friends fer many years. and when on
duty IN Washington as naval attending
surgeon 1 was his family physician.
His resignation as chief OF the Bureau
Of Navigation has been assigned 10 va
rIOuS causes, among others TO q differ
euce Of opinion as TO the command Of
the hospital ship Relief. While L do
not know that this is cause, IL may
be interesting 10 know the present
status OF this question
Doctors as Commanders.
Hospital ships, as a rule, always
have been commanded by medical Of
fcers with a sailing master and civilian
crew for purposes Of navigation.
The Relief, formerly belonging to
the United States army, was always
commanded Dy a medical officer when
used as a hospital ship
A joint board OF army and navy med
zeal officers, convened by Executive
tIueI more lhtAn a year ago, 10 attempt
TO unity the medical service as much
as possible. recommended that hospital
ships should be commanded by medical
officers. and the recommendation was
approved by both the Secretary of War
and the Secretary Of the Navy IN gem
eral orders.
Have Rank, But Not Titles.
Naval medical officers have had posi-
tive rank Tor some years. given them by
act Of Congress. but as the use OF titles
which Indicate rank. has been denied
them. IL is not generally known. They
also have the right 10 command in their
own corps. and all those VINO are in
trusted to their care, whether on the
sick list. In the hospitals, or on hos
Vital ships.
Il have contended that hospital ehips
should be conducted IN peace exactly as
in time Of war. During war time, line
officers cannot be spared, and do not
and should not desire the command OF
these ships, and IL has ALWAYS bepn
considered a doubtful question If the
Geneva and Hague agreements could
guarantee the neutrality Of these ships
Il cOmbatant Qine) officers and crew
we're aboard. This very doubt prevent
ed the japanese from using line officers
on hospital ships.
~ medical officer In command, with
civilian sailing master and crew for
the navigation OF the ship, has been
personnel for this type Of ship.
The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Is directly responsible for the welfare
Of the health OF the navy, and every
friend ana. relative looks 70 II for the
care OF the sick and wounded. This
work should have the sympathy and ac-
tive support of everyone
Too Much Interference.
This internal administration Of the
been. In my opinion. too much Interfered
with by the Bureau Of Navigation. This
interference has at times caused me
grave concern as to how I could meet
the needs Of those under our care
"At present the hospital ship Relief
would be in commission. and after hav-
ing done good service with the feet be-
fore starting would have accompanied
81 on Ihe cruise south. The Bureau of
fleet OF 1900 men, with its auxiliaries.
is without a hospital ship, and will be
until IL arrives at Magdalena Bay, more
than three months from now.
Il have only asked that the Relief be
put in commission, just as every other
hospital ship has been, and that the
navy medical officer be given exactly
the same status as that accorded TO his
brotheT-Officers in the army, who have
commanded this identical ship. Not 10
do this would be unfair to our medical
officers.
"As this is a matter pertaining en-
tirely 10 the Bureau OF Medicine and
Surgery and Is decided by the Secretary
OF the Navy. IL is hard - understand
how Admiral Brownson could be spe-
cially involved. as his duties pertain
entirely to another bureau not directly
responsible for the care Of the sick OF
tho navy and in which ne should not
interfere unless directed by the Secre-
tery."