Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1907-12-30
B0RNSON TAKES HIS
PLAYTH|NGS AND
GOES HOME
However. He Refuses to Say
That the President Did
Not Play Fair
, With Him.
CHIEF SUBJECT OF CON-
vERSAT|0N IN WASHINGTON
The New Department Commander
Makes Statement Relations Be-
tween Medical and Navigation
Bureaus Are Very Much
Strained.

Washington, Dec. SO.-The recent
Admiral Bronson difficulty has left
the relations between the bureau of
medicine and the bureau of nayiga-
tion very strained. The call of Ad-
miral Bronson at the office of the
bureau of navigation on Thursday of
last week, when he bid all his for
mer associates farewell and carried
away all his personal papers, Is still
the chief topic of conversation. 9th
er designations or attempts to re-
sign might be expected II II were not
for the example set by President
Roosevelt In the matter of Bron-
son.
| Admiral bronson was scarcely
able to suppress his emotions when
bidding his associates goodbye and
he nearly broke down when he took
the last look around the department
with which he had been connected
for forty-six years.
Commander Winslow, the new de-
partment chief, did not put in an
appearance. His relations with Ad-
miral Bronson are of the best but
he felt that he would have been
de trop on the occasion OF Admiral
Brownson's final visit to the bureau
office.
! That a SERIOUS breach exists be-
tween the bureau of navigation and
the bureau of medicine of the navy
was made apparent In a statement
issued by surgeon General Presley
M. Rixey C''Admiral" Rixey, as his
title goes in the navy, in which he
touches upon the circumstances
leading up to the probable selection
by the president of a medical officer
to command the hospital ship Relief
over the protest of Rear admiral
Brownson.
Rixey Speaks Out.
Admiral Bronson and 1 have
been friends for many years, and
when on duty in Washington as ma
val attending surgeon, 1 was his
family physician" Surgeon Rixey
says: His resignation as chief of
the bureau of navigation has been
assigned TO various causes, among
others to a difference of opinion as
10 the command of the hospital ship
Relief, While / do not know that
this is cause, 1t may be interest
ing to know the present status of
this question. f
Hospital ships, as a rule, always
have been commanded by medical
oficers, with sailing master and
civilian crew for purposes of navi-
CATION. The Relief, formerly be-
commanded by medical officer
when used as a hospital ship.
A joint board of army and navy
medical officers, convened by exec
utive order more than a year ago to
attempt to unity the medical service
as much as possible, recommended
that hospital ships should be COM
manded by medical officers, and the
Recommendation was approved by
both the secretary of war and the
secretary OF the navy in general or
ders.
Cites Japanese Example.
''The question was settled defi-
nitely 50 far as the army was con-
cerned during the civil war, and all
hospital ships and medical trans
ports were placed under the surgeon
general of the army, and have re-
mained so up to the present time.
The Japanese naval hospital ships
were commanded by medical offi-
GERS, after having tried officers.
Hospital ships are simply floating
hospitals, ana as such are consider
ed by all services 10 be properly un-
der the control Of the medical de-
partment, which is directly respon-
sible for the care of the sick and
injured OF the services
Naval and medical officers have
had most positive rank for some
years gwen them by act OF con-
gress, but as the use of titles which
indicate rank has been denied them
II is not generally known. They also
have the right to command in their
own corps and all those who are in
trusted to their care, whether on the
sick list. in the hospital or on hos
pital ships.
Il have contended that hospital
ships 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 1t has always been considered a
doubtful question If the Geneva and
Hagu agreements could guarantee
the neutrality OF these ships II COM
batant (line) officers and crew went
aboard. This very doubt prevented
the japanese from using line Off
GERS on hospital ships.
Too Much Interference.
"a medical officer in command.
with a civilian sailing master and
crew for the navigation OF the ship
has been proved over and over
again the proper personnel for this
type of ship.
The bureau OF medicine and sur
gerry is directly responsible for the
welfare and health OF the navy. and !
every friend and relative looks 10
Il for the care OF tie sick and !
wounded. This work should have