New-York tribune., 1908-01-03

by the Senate His nomination Is expected 10
be sent to the Senate when II reassemoles on
Monday. There were candidates for the
place IN the sense that applications were
made for the appointment
The appointment Of Captain Pillsbury will be
received with general satisfaction throughout
the naval service. The place is Of great i'm
portance, since it has TO do with the DISPOSE
ton Of ships and the placing of the personnel
Captain PiIIsbury, who will have the rank Of
rear admiral by virtue Of the bureau chiefship
IS about TO reach that grade IN the natural
course OF promotion He was assistant chief
OF the same bureau In the administration of
Rear Admiral Taylor. and was most efficient
officer IN that capacity. Later he was the first
chief Of staff Of Rear Admiral Evans with the
Atlantic feet, and for the last few months has
been a member of the naval general board, and
a member Of the joint army and navy board
He viii retain those places IN all probability
during his tour OF duty as chief Of the bureau
OF navigation. His appointment VIII be for g.
period OF four years from the date Of his con-
firmation by the Senate, which is likely to take
place early next week This makes the third
officer IL succession who has been detailed TO
this duty within comparatively short time Of
his retirement for age. Captain PiIlsbury will
.-o "a the retired list on December 10, so that
three years Of his tour Of duty, if he continues
the regulation period IN that capacity, will be
as q retired officer.
He is known 20 entertain the same ideas a
Rear Admiral BrOwnson respecting the line and
STAFF controversy, and the policy Of the bureau,
which represents the sentiments Of the line, will
undoubtedly be against giving naval staff Off
GERS the titles used by line officers. In the mat
ter Of command" of the hospital ship Captain
PiIlsbury assumes his new duties without the
least embarrassment. because that is regarded
as a closed incident He simply accepts the
situation as he finds II. and Rear Admiral
Brownson is quoted as saying that his successor
need not feel that he is bound TO decline the
Office because Rear Admiral Brownson himself
saw ft TO resign on account OF the question
which came up.
Captain Pillsbury is q recognized authority
on the Gulf Stream being the author OF the
standard work of reference or that subject He
devoted much time TO the study OF the stream
while he was connected with the coast survey
and the Importance Of his observations led to
his election TO a fellowship in the Royal Geo
graphical Society. One OF the legends of the
service describes Captain Pilsbury in command
OF z small schooner which he used in making
solIr6ires Il was on the occasion Of one Of
these tedious periods when the small craft was
anchored IN the dead water with sails tucked
away while the observers were making sound
ings al depth OF about two miles A tramp
steamer passing that way discovered what ap
peared 10 be q sailing vessel in distress The
larger vessel approached the schooner and Of
fered aid. which Captain Pillsbury politely de
cined. The curious navigator OF the tramp
steamer asked If the other vessel was disabled
The reply came that there 10 trouble. with
renewed thanks for the courtesy of the inquiry.
Then came the request for Information TO
what the small ship was doing at that distance
Captain PiIlsbury replied that he anchored
there. The captain Of the tramp steamer be
came angry when told Of a ship being
chored with e two-mile depth of water and
made some comment. for which he drew d
well trained store OF voIubIe invective and went
on his way feeling that the courtesies which