The sun., 1907-12-28
HALE is WITH BROVNSON
CHAIRMAN or NAVAL COMMIT
TEE OPPOSES PRESIDENT.
says n wOuId Ne Against the Interests OT
H- tho Navy TO Put stan ONIeers I'm COM
mend Rank- Adnires the Admiral
for ReSIgnIng When He Was OVeFruled.


WAsHINoroN, Dec. II Words Of reprooH
for Surgeon-General Rixey Of the Navy,
the Presidents family physician and victor
In the staff and line discussion. which
caused Rear Admiral Brownson 10 retire
from the Bureau Of Navigation, we're
spoken Tonight by Senator Hale OF Maine.
chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval
Affairs. In an interview MIR. Hale said;
"To begin with, Admiral BrOwnson Ia one
Of the ablest and most accomplished 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
resulted in the Admiral resignation, raises
the old question between line and stan, and
IT, this case something more than that.
"In all that controversy thus far my
sympathies have been with the staf.
believe that staff officers should receive
positive rank and complete recognition by
title, the same as in the army. where. ~
far as l can learn no harm to the service
has resulted.
"And before this incident had prepared
q bill for introduction in the senate giving
TO the staff positive rank and titular recog-
milton everywhere in the service; but IN
framing the hill added this clause That
no such staff officer should be Eut in actual
command Of any naval vessel
Notwithstanding the strong presentation
Of the case by Surgeon-General Rixey,
do not know Of any instance when "A con-
troversy has arisen and both sihes had been
heard where any other than "A line officer
has been put in actual command of a naval
vessel. I do not understand that before
this star officers, insisting 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 staf such rank and title
would be followed by a further claim FOR
actual command think this has generally
been repudiated by the old stan officers,
and 1 certainly have always taken that
position.
sI believe il would be subversive of
order and discipline for a Surgeon or Pay
master or chaplain to be in command Of
naval vessel manned by a crew Of naval
seamen.
There is something refreshing about
the courage and independence shown by
Admiral BrownsOn 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 stun that. when
overruled, submits a feeble protest and
pockets the humiliation of continuing in a
rebuked and discredited service.
Il venture to say" concluded Senator |
Hale. "that he will lose nothing with his |
associates or with the country by his self |
respecting course l arm not, in saying this. |
speaking for him. for | have seen neither |
him nor any Of his friends since his resig- |
nation. What say has its root in an official |
connection with the navy for nearly forty |
years in both branches of Congress"
The formal order detsching Rear Ad- |
miraI willard II. Brownson from duty |
as Chief Of the Bureau OF Navigation |
was issued ct the Navy Department |
to-day. Admiral BrownsOn is also de- |
tached from duty as a member Of the ]
army and navy joint board and is |
ordered to proceed to his home.
CINCINNATI. Dec 27.-The medical side !
Of the navy controversy has received the J
commendation Of the Legislative committee |
Of the American Medical Association. DR.. !
Charles A. l.. Reed. chairman Of that COM |
mittee, to-day sent the following telegram |
20 Surgeon-General Rixey at Washington:
Your demand and the Presidents order |
giving the medical corps of the navy actual !
control where IL has actual responsibility |
command grateful approval by the 100000 |
physicians Of the United States"