The Washington herald., 1908-02-21

Commander William S. Sims, naval
aid to President Roosevelt. and Lieut..
Commander Frank X Hill, who Is on
duty with the general board Of the navy,
have been called on by Secretary of the
Navy Metcalf TO explain officially wheth-
er they were responsible in any way for
the criticisms of the naval bureau .ys-
tenn and methods OF war ship construc-
ton which have appeared in newspapers
and magazines.
The tone Of Secretary Metcalfs letter
to Commander Sims and Lieut.. Com
mander Hin Indicates they may have 20
face a court-martial. II they confess TO
having inspired or helped the navy's
critics in their attacks
Would he IncOHsixtent.
In spite Of Secretary MetcalCs action.
It is doubtful If these two officers viii be
brought before a court-martiaL To ar
raign them would place the admlnistra-
ton in an inconsistent attitude
1t has never taken action against Surg
Gen Presley NJ. Rixey, Of the navy, for
his direct public attack upon the Bureau
Of Navigation, and by inference on Rear
Admiral Willard H. Brownson, former
chief Of the bureau, in connection with
the controversy between President Roose-
welt and Admiral BrOWnsOn over assign
ing a naval surgeon TO command the hos
pital ship Relief
But beyond that the criticisms which
have appeared in the press and the maga-
zines are indOrsed 80 generally among
naval officers who had expressed disap-
proval of the bureau system and meth
DDS of construction. there would be no
telling where the thing would end.
Again, naval officers would welcome the
chance to give their views on these mat
ters Trials by court-martial would
probably afford the opportunity. Such
trials are public.
Categorical Answers Required.
Categorical answers are demanded or
Commander Sims and Lieut. Com
mander Bul in the letters sent 70 them
by Secretary Metcalf. They are asked
specifically whether they furnished ma
terial 10 Henry Reuterdahl. the marine
artist. for his article. "The Needs OF the
Navy in a monthly magazine Of Janu-
AIRY.
II was this article which first brought
TO the attention OF The public the alleged
defects in battle-ship construction Each
officer is asked also whether no talked
10 newspaper men and other writer's on
naval affairs. and IL SO. what was the
character Of the information furnished
20 them.
There has been gossip IN naval circles
ever since the Reuterdahl article appeared
that officers connected with the general
board. and close TO the naval administra-
ton. were responsible for the criticisms
appearing in newspapers and magazines.
Similarity i'm Views.
Commander Sims and Lieut.. Command
er Hill had made official reports. in re-
sponse 20 an invitation extended to the
entire service by Secretary Metcalf. in
which they pointed out defects IN ships
and suggested changes. II is said that
striking similarity between the con-
tents OF those reports and the informa-
ton in the Reuterdahl article and ar
ticles in The Navy" a service magazine.
cast suspicion on the two officers.
II Commander Sims and Lieut.. Com
mander Hill are brought before a court
martial. social as well as naval sensa-
tion will be created
The duties OF Commander SIMS. as
naval aid 10 the President. have made
him a frequent visitor 10 the White
House. where both he and his wife. who
is the daughter OF Ethan Allen Hitch
cock. of St Louis, Ambassador TO Rus
sia under President Mckinley and Sec
retary Of the Interior IN the Cabinets Of
Presidents Mckinley and Roosevelt, are
favorites. In addition 20 HIS duties as
naval aid. Commander Sims is inspector
of target practice under the Navy Depart
ment. and consequently versed on sub
ject in which President Roosevelt is in
terested
Lieut. Commander Hill is one of the
progressive younger officers Of the navy.
He is a student OF naval affairs and has
done excellent work in connection with
tie problems which the general board
Is considering.