The Washington herald., 1908-01-07
ADMIRAL BROWNSON'S
Makes Public the Form
of Resignation.
Also Gives His own Brief Letter of
Acceptance and Orders for
Bureau.

President Roosevelt yesterday gave out
The correspondence with Rear Admiral
Willard II. Brownson, in which that Off
Ger rendered. and the President accepted.
his resignation as chief OF the Bureau OF
Navigation The letters. which were
made public az the White House. were
prefaced b. the explanation that they
were inadvertently omitted from the cor
respondence given out yesterday morning
The letters printed yesterday morning
We're written by the President to the
Secretary Of the Navy under the date Of
January and January l. respectively. in
which the President severely scores Ad-
miral Brownsou for his 'Unseemly and
improper action in resigning his Office
rather than obey an order Of the Fresi-
dent. Who had inadvertently omitted"
to give the letters out at the proper time
was not explained.
Although no official explanatiouNs forth
coming either at the White House or the
Navy Department, il is reported that the
action Of the President in making public
the BrownsOn correspondence was for
the purpose Of anticipating any resolu-
tion Of inquiry by Congress As a re-
tired officer OF the navy, Admiral Brown
son was prevented by the naval regula
tions from making any comments in his
own defease. and the action of the Presi-
dent i'm publicly criticising in a scathing
manner an officer who was not I'm a posi-
ton 10 reply has been unfavOTably COM
mented upon In both naval and Congress
siOnal circles
Admiral Brownson's letter of Tesigna-
ton, dated December q. 1901. follows:
Department Of the Nav.
Bureau of Navigation.
Washington. ID. C..
December p. 1907.
Sir: IN ArriI last ! was detached by your order
fIom shs command Of the United STATES Aslatlc
feet ana ordered 10 Washington and appointed
chief i'm the most important bureau IN the NaFy
Department the bureau which, under the Secretary.
Is charged with matters relating 60 the personnel
the discipline aud the efficiency of the feet
This transfer from a command which ranks second
in importance afOat TO one which Is second 10
none on shore. coming on the eve Of my retirement
from active service. while not TO my personal liking
was deepy gratifying to me, as it appeared 20 be an
evidence of your confidence II my professional ability
I'm order, however, that any efforts OF mine 20
maintain high standard ef efficiency and discipline
IN the service be attended with SlCces 1t is atso
lutelv necessary that ! should have the confidence
Of the service at large well that Of higher
authority The efficiency Of the feet can only be
maintained when the officers and men feel that the
Chief Of the Bur.au 0f Navigation has the conf
deuce Of the COmmaneri Chief Of the army and
navy and when a strong military spirit exists in
the service. Anything that shows lack Of conn
dence or that tends to break down this military
srfrit which has been the safeguard and principal
asset Of the navy since its beginning, can but
mrair sICh efficiency
III. f,lan aaflfo .af. ~.
command Of a hospital ship is IN my opinion and
rs have endcavored several occasions TO point
ont TO You, clearly opposed to the intent of the
law is a radical departure from established naval
usage and is fTaught with danger TO the efficiency
Of the fleet viii tend. believe. to break down the
military spirit Of the service. and shows a want
Of confidence in my advice regarding a matter so
vital 70 the best interests Of the service SIN left
Therefore with no alternative 1ut 70 tender my
resignation as Chief Of the Bureau Of Navigation,