The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-28

4 sharp rebuff from an unexpected
quarter yesterday was given Admiral
Rixey. the Presidents family physician
and victor in The recent navy bureau
quarrels.
Senator Hale, of Maine. chairman Of
Naval Affairs. and the most influential
man at the Capitol on navy legislation.
speaks his mind and champions Admiral
Brownson.
In an authorized interview. given when
request for his opinion of the contro-
versy was asked, the Senator praises in
high terms the attitude Admiral Brown
son has assumed.
Although in marked degree the
friend Of navy stan officers, Mr. Hale
says: 1T would be subversive Of order
and discipline for a surgeon or paymas-
Ter or chaplain TO be in command of
naval vessel manned by a crew of naval
seamen."
He eulogizes The courage and inde-
pendence shown by Admiral Brownson
il Immediately rendering his resigna-
ton"
viii Ask for the Facts,
II is believed that both branches of
Congress will ask for the facts about tho
controversy and for such OF the CORE
spondence as has not been made public.
The line and the stan had made a very
thorough preparation Of the case before
President Roosevelt decided in admiral
RiXey's favor. The law and precedents
We're carefully studied. and statements Of
the practice in the army were compiled
after careful inquiry
To begin with" said Senator Hale
Admiral Brownson is 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 AdmiraIs resigna-
ton. raises the old question between
line and staff, and in this case some
thing more than that
In al that controversy. thus far. my
sympathies have been with the staff.
believe that staff officers should receive
positive rank and complete recognition
by title. the same as in the army. where
so far as l can learn, no harm to the
service has resulted
Had Prepared n BIZ.
And before this incident | had nro-
pared bill fer introduction in the SEN
ate, giving to the staff positive rank and
utular recognition everywhere in the
service; but in framing the bill | added
this clause: That no such staff officer
should be put in actual command Of any
naval vessel
Notwithstanding the strong presenta-
tion Of the case by Surgeon General
Rixey, / do not know, of any instance
when a controversy has arisen. and botb
sides had been heard. where anv other
than line officer has been pat in actual
command of naval vessel. l do not nm
derstand that before this. staff officers
insisting that they should receive posi-
tive 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 staff such ranl,
and title would be followed by a further
claim for actual command. l think this
has generally been repudiated by the
old staff officers, and I certainly have
always taken that position.
Admires the Courage.
believe it would be subversive of
order and discipline for a surgeon. or /
paynaster, or chaplain 70 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 ten /
dering his resignation when he was over
ruled 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 stuff that. when /
oYerruled. submits a feeble prote and /
pockets the humiliation of continuing in /
a rebuked and discredited service
! venture to say" concluded Senator
Hale, that he viii lose nothing with his
associates, or with the country. by his
self-respecung course. I am not In saw
lag this, speaking for htm. for I have
seen neither him nor any OF his frief,Js
since his resignation. What l say hes
80 tTNt "a az bilIldA ttllEtIlOn With the /
navy for nearly forty years. in both
branches of Congress"
PIeases the Physicians.
Cincinnati, Dec. 1.-THE medical side
of the navy controversy has received the
commendation OF the legislative commit
tee of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Charles A. L. Reed, chairman OF the
committee. to-day sent the following
telegram 10 Surgeon General P. NJ. Rixev
at Washington:
Your demand and the Presidents or
der giving the Medical Corps Of the navy
actual control where it has actual re-
sponsibility. command grateful approval
by the 10000 physicians in the United
States"
FORMAL ORDER IS ISSUED
BrOwnson Relieved OF All Duties in