Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-02
NEW CHIEF OF BUREAU
Capt. J. E. PiIIsbury Succeeds
Admiral BroWnson.
APPOINTMENT MADE TODAY
He Knows All About the Bureau Of
Navigation.
SERVICES IN SPANISH WAR
Commanded Dynamite Cruiser vesu-
vius and Did Effective Work
in Front of Havana.
APPOINTMENT MADE TODAY
SERVICES IN SPANISH Wal

The vacancy in the important office of
chief of the bureau of navigation, Navy
Department, which was vacated by the
resignation of Rear Admiral Willard H.
Brownson. December "a last. was filled
today by the appointment to that office
of Capt. John Elliott Pillsbury at pres
ent on duty in this city as a member of
the general board of the navy. and also
as member of the army and navy joint
board. Secretary Metcalf personally no.
titled Capt. Pillsbury of the President S
desire that he accept the position of chief
of the bureau of navigation. and accom-
panied him to the White House this fore
moon, where he notified the President
personally that although he did not seek
the Office he appreciated the honor i'm
| piled in his selection and would perform
| it's duties to the best of his ability.
Only a Temporary Measure.
| The selection Of Capt. Pillsbury to be
chief of the bureau of navigation is at
best only a temporary measure of relief
for the friction between the line and stan
which is now distressing the navy. Capt.
Pillsbury is, perhaps, more acceptable
than any other line officer land the va
line under the terms of the law with the
officers of the staff, though he is by no
means lacking in popularity with his
brethren of the line. Yet he can exercise
his good offices as pacificator for COM
paratively short time only, unless the
President should decide to again have re-
course TO the doubtful expedient of COM
missioning a retired officer as chief of
bureau For Capt. Pillsbury was born
in Lowell, Mass, December TO- 1916, and
will consequently have to retire on ac-
count of age December Is next.
Combining in his record long sea serv-
ice with much work in the naval bureaus,
especially that of navigation. the new
head of the bureau is peculiarly fitted
to dispassionately judge upon their merits
the various issues between line and staff
that are constantly arising in the depart
ment.
Capt. Pillsbury occupies an exceptional
position in the navy for man of his
rank in being practically out of line for
promotion to the grade of rear admiral.
though in his capacity of chief of the bu-
JOY that title. That is owing to the con-
ditions under which he entered the Naval
Academy and graduated.
His Service in Spanish War.
The beginning of the Spanish war found
cause of his tendency toward high ex-
plosives he was placed in command of
the dynamite cruiser vesuvius. then re-
garded as extra hazardous service. That
little boat was then an unknown quantity
in naval warfare. She was sent down to
join SIMPSONS fleet in front of Santiago,
and 1t is believed by military experts con-
tributed largely to bringing about the
| surrender nf OF h1yf ha
effect produced by her creeping under the
Notifications in the shadows of night and
hurting huge projectiles charged with gun
cotton over the hills and into the harbor
| lines, to the great terror of the besieged
| Spaniards.
Since the war Capt. Pilisbury has had
service at the Boston navy yard on the
| general board at Washington and on
the army and navy joint board. He knows
| the duties Of the chief of the bureau of
navigation thoroughly, having served as
assistant to Rear Admiral Converse
when he was head of that bureau, from
| November, 1903, to July, 1904. His last
| duty before coming to Washington was
as chief of staff to Rear Admiral Evans
in command of the Atlantic fleet, in Or
ganizing which into its splendid state of
efficiency he was a potent factor
| 1t is known that Capt. Pillsbury did
not SEEK bis new duty, but he has the
reputation in the navy of refusing to
| apply Tor any special duty and always
assuming any assignment without pro-
| test. 1t was that characteristic that led
| him to undertake the command of the lit
| tie fleet headed by the cruiser Prairie,
which was assigned to the duty of en-
| deavoring to successfully run the block
| ade on the New England coast during
| recent naval maneuvers. 1t was a fore
| gone conclusion that the defending fleet
! would discover the approach of the pseudo
! hostile feet in season to defeat the pro-
| inof cd vet 1Sh ,rrI- to6
the unpopular task of commanding the
| blockade runners.