The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-26
LINE AND STAFF
IN BITTER WAR,
PEACE FLEEs
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himself with glory In the opinion OF the
navy as much as IL he had won a victory
over an enemy, for after a strong. per-
sistent protest versus the ordering of
medical officer 20 command a vessel afoat
he has done the only thing left for him TO
do. resigned his commission as chief OF
the bureau OF navigation, the head OF the
personnel of the navy.
This has been a battle royal which
has been waged by the chief OF the
bureau OF medicine and surgery to procure
command for medical officers, and has
been as strongly opposed by the present
and former chiefs OF the bureau OF navi-
cation. The opinion OF this one man, the
surgeon general of the navy, has been
taken and acted upon instead OF that OF
the combined opinion OF practically every
officer OF the navy from Admiral Dewey
down. Then there Is the further fact that
during the late Spanish war the hospital
ship Solace was commanded by naval Of
flcers, with the same DIR. Stokes In charge
of the hospital portion OF IL, and the con-
ditions existing on board that vessel as a
hospital ship. but not under command or
the doctor. were reported as ideal.
HOW 1T BEGAN.
"The dispute commenced by changing
the designation OF medical officers from
lin charge OF hospitals to lin command
of or commanding hospitals and Is prac-
tically continuation of the same old line
and staff row which was waged so
strongly for years and was headed by tho
Engineer Corps. until their amalgamation
with the line This is seeking after in
dependent authority for every STAFF corps,
which is entire subversive OF all discl-
pline. and no military establishment can
stand II. Thus far the navy has escaped
this sort OF thing, but now that the In
novation Is inevitable 1t will mark an
epoch in the navy, the effects OF which
will be demoralizing. A continuation OF
this policy will probably result. IL on
gress should be so weak as TO concur in
the navy having a doctor for rear ad-
miral or vice admiral just as the army
will have in few years doctor for
chief of staff
This is a matter OF vital Importance
to the people OF this country The lay
man may not appreciate il. They are
proud OF the navy. They have become
much interested in IT, They should know
and accept the opinion OF every military
officer in the navy. The navy has always
country, the highest esprit OF discipline
has been maintained In II. 1t possesses
the best personnel and as good ships as
float, and the splendid condition In which
IL Is Is entirely owing TO the military Of
ficers Of the navy, who have for years
vations as this.
CONDITIONS CONSIDERED.
Let tis consider moment the condi-
tons which will prevail on this ship un-
der DR.. Stokes. In the first place no ma
val officer OF the military branch OF the
service can be In the ship. 1t must be in
charge OF merchant captain and offi-
GERS a paymaster will he necessary
part OF the complement The surgeon is
in command. with no knowledge whatever
M NfiU nm han
manding ship in any respect. The crew
Is supposed TO be a part OF tho enlisted
force OF the navy. A surgeon. being for
hidden by law TO exercise command. ex-
cept in his own corps has no power or
authority 10 enforce discipline with the
crew. For the same reason, IL the pay
master should decline to carry out any
OF his orders he cannot enforce discipline
there, and no one can, not even the pres
ident of the United States "as no court
martial could convict this pay officer. be-
command him. That much for the ma
val contingent. Now where does tho sur
geon exercise command with the mer-
chant captain and crew? He may say to
tho captain. Get under way and pro-
ceed.' TO any port he may mention, and
his orders are obeyed. But all command
Is exercised by the merchant captain,
from whom every one working in the
navigation or running OF the ships takes
his orders. So, after all. what command
has the surgeon?
SAD DAY FOR THE NAVY.
1T Is sad day for the navy. Rear
Admiral Brownson has been protesting
against and fighting this thing for ten
months.
And this is only the commencement Of
the same exercise of command the same
grab for power OF every stan corps In the
navy. Already blanks are printed and In
use In the bureau of medicine and sur
gerry of public bills. with commanding
printed, to have the signature of paymas-
ter or pay director above IL. 1t is. there
ofre, one step from doctor commanding
to 'paymaster commanding when we
Will have things done 'as they are in the
army The army knows what the condi-
tions are there"