Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-07
WHY BROWNSON QUIT
Roosevelt Finally Makes Rear
 AdmiraPs Letter Public.
HE REBUKES THE PRESIDENT
Naval Officers Say Former Head o! Navigation Bureau Must Obtain Win.
 dication From Chief Magistrate'o Charge of DisIoyalty or Leave Navy.

Washington. Jan. 7.-President Roose- welt made public Admiral Brownson' resignation as chief of the bureau of navigation. It proves 10 be a stinging rebuke to the president.
 The morning newspapers generally pointed out that while the president yesterday issued two letters of his own denouncing Brownson and upholding Surgeon General Rixey, the admirars letter of resignation was still not forthcoming. The public demand for the contents of the letter, which was known to have given the reasons for Brownson's resignation, had become so persistent that resolutions were about to be introduced in congress calling for all the correspondence in the con- troversy.
 The president, in giving out the Brownson letter, made the explanation that it twas inadvertently omitted' from the correspondence published this morning. The letter follows:
 Sir-In April last I was detached by your order from the command of the United States Asiatic fleet and ordered to Washington and appointed chief of the most important bureau in the navy de- partment, the bureau which under the secretary is charged with matters relating to the personnel, the discipline and the efficiency of the fleet
 This transfer from command which ranks second in importance afloat to one which is second to none on shore, coming on the.eve of my retirement from active service while not to my personal liking, was deeply gratifying to me. as it ap- peared to be an evidence of your conf1- dence in my professional ability.
 In order however, that any efforts of mine to maintain high standard of effi- ciency and discipline in the service be attended with success, 1t is absolutely es- sential that should have the confidence of the service at large as well as that of higher authority.
 The efficiency of the fleet can only be maintained when the officers and men feel that the chief of the bureau of navi- gation has the confidence of the com mander in chief of the army and navy and when a strong military spirit exists in the service. Anything that shows a lack of confidence or that tends to break down this military spirit. which has been the safeguard and principal asset of the navy since ii1 beginning, can but impair such efficiency. HR The reDeI,' ,yrder placing a medical ofg- Ger in com g,fss .ospital .ssiip iss y | my opinion. sxd as have endeEvored or several occasions to point out to you clearly opposed to the intent of the law is a radical departure from established | naval usage and is fraught with danger to the efficiency of the fleet; will tend. believe, to break down the military spirit of the service and shows a want of your confidence in my advice regarding a mat. ter so vital to the best interests of the service.
 am left. therefore. with no alterna. tive but to tender my resignation as chief of the bureau of navigation. much as regret to sever my active connection with the service to which I have been devoted and to which I have given my best efforts for over forty-slx years.
 The presidents letter of acceptance painfully curt to one who had been s prime favorite of his, follows:
 sr-I accept your resignation. to take effect immediately. You will this after. noon turn over your office to your as sistant. Captain Winslow. informing him that he is to act until such time as youl successor is appointed and qualifes.
 Naval officers are of the opinion that Brownson will either demand a court of inquiry to obtain vindication from the presidents charges of disloyalty and insubordination or else resign from the navy.
 It is recalled that there was such endless criminatiOn and recriminatioI in the case of Schley. the hero of Santi ago, that he was at last induced to ac cept the court of inquiry to right him self before the public.
 Two more reports are to be made one by Admiral Converse on the causes of contention in the navy and the au thors of information that has been glv, en to the public: the other by Surgeon General Rixey in further support of his contentious that a medical officer should be in charge of a hospital ship Brownson will probably await all the official reports before seeking yindi cation.