Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-01-01
FROM WASHINGTON.
Acute Friction in Naval Circles
Views OF Senator Hale.


Views OF senator Hale.
wAsHINeToN, D. c., Dec. so-Washing-
ton is not little stirred up over the resig-
nation OF Rear Admiral Brownson as chief
OF the bureau OF navigation, made neces-
sary by his difference OF opinion with the
President as to the proper commander for
the hospital ship Relief.
Admiral Brownson preceded his resigna-
tion by presentation Of the reasons why
he objected to the assignment ofa physi-
clan to command a naval ship, even
though that vessel were exclusively de-
voted to hospital uses, but it has not yet
been made public, although Surgeon
General Rixey is out with the viewpoint
of the staff side Of the controversy.
1t may not be out OF place to state the
difference between the line and the staff,
about which the public mind is more or
less confused. A line officer is one whose
sole duty is to fight the ship, while the
staff officer either provides the means for
the line officer to fight, or acts under his
direction in carrying out his general
orders. For instance, the engineer when
OF the staff looks after the machinery and
starts and stops it when called uponto do
so by the line officer; he has nothing to say
about the destination OF the ship, its
speed or when it shall move. Likewise,
the surgeons aboard ship look after the
health OF the crew in time of peace. and
treat their wounds in time OF war, hav-
ing nothing to do with the movements OF
the ship to which they are attached.
Secretary Metcalf declines to enter into
discussion of the issues which prompted
Admiral Brownson's resignation.
Much interest has been expressed in the
attitude OF Senator Hale, chairman Of the
Senate committee on naval afiairs, toward
the resignation OF Admiral Brownson as
chief Of the bureau Of navigation. The
senator has not heretofore given express
sion to his views on the subject, but when
seen last Friday by Washington cor
respondent, he spoke very frankly IN sup
port Of the admirals course. 81 think
that Admiral Brownson has acted with
praiseworthy courage and promptness in
rendering his resignation" said Senator
Hale. Adding that he had not seen the
admiral since his resignation was sent in,
Mr. Hale continued:
GERS in their fight for positive rank and
complete recognition such as are received
by their peers in the army, and now
have . bill pending which gives them
such recognition throughout the service.
But in that measure there is precaution-
airy provision against giving them actual
command Of any vessel.
.sThis is the continuation and an extern
sion Of the fight between the two branches
OF the service. That fight is the crux Of
the present controversy, and because
think he is right, my support is given un-
reservedly to the admiral as against the
contention of Surgeon General Rixey. It
may be that on some occasions stan officers
have been in command of vessels, but
know OF no instance when such officers
have been given command after the point
was raised and both sides were heard. !
do not believe that the contention for
command by star officers has been pressed
seriously at any time in the past
When asked for his reasons for the posi-
tion taken, Senator Hale is reported to
have replied: .'They are entirely in the
of discipline. Think what might
happen IL the command Of the vessels
should be turned over to chaplain or
even to paymaster, and it is just as reas-
enable to put the crews OF naval vessels