The Washington times., 1909-03-30
Death of Naval Officer a
Surprise to Officials
and Friends.
OCCUPIED PLACE
CREATED FOR HIM
His Opinion on Department Mat
ters Priced by RooSe-
vel1.

Naval officers now on duty in Wash
mSton viii participate in the funeral
services at o'clock tomorrow afternoon
for Rear Admiral George A. Converse.
The services will be held in St. Johns
Episcopal Church The Rev. Roland
Cotton Smith. rector. will officiate.
Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery.
-Four companies of marines. two com
panles of bluejaclets. and the Marine
Band will form the escort for the dead
officer Rear Admiral Kimball will be
In command with Lieutenant Sweet as
his aide.
Among the honorary palIbearers will
be Rear Admiral Pillsbury, OF the Bu-
reau OF Navigation; Rear Admiral N
T. Mason, Of the Bureau of Ordnance:
Rear Admiral Stockton, Rear Admiral
Capps, of the Bureau Of Construction:
Pay Director Speel, and Captain Usher.
Sailors will be detailed as the active
pallbearers and the casl1et will be borne
10 Arlington on caisson
Lieutenant Commander Morton. Lieut.
enant Commander Luby. Lieutenant
Berry, and Lieutenant Hart will be ush-
ers at the church.
One company or marines will form a
squad to fire a volley over the grave
and bugler will sound Taps" at the
conclusion Of the services at the ceme-
terry.
Born in Vermont.
Rear Admiral Converse was born in
Norwich, Vt. May 13, 1874 He was
graduated from Norwich University in
1861. and the same year entered the
Naval Academy. He finished at the
head Of his class in 1866, showing the
same grasp Of naval affairs in his stu.
dent days that afterward made him IA
nous as an officer
During the early part of his career
he became interested in torpedo prac-
tice and was instructor in one of the
stations from 1874 20 1877 and again from
1885 to 1889
His first command was the Enter
prise, OF which he was in charge during
1900 and 1901. Later he had a torpedo
station for Eeveral years. He command
ed the Montgomery during the Spanish-
American war, and was the first com
mander Of the Illinois when she was
put In commission in 1901. Later he was
successively chief of the Bureau OF
Equipment in 1903-c5; chief of the RII-
reau OF Ordnance during a part of 1904
and chief of the Bureau Of Navigation
from August /. 1904 10 Nav 1907 He
became rear admiral November s. 1901.
NfedIeQ IOI Elm-
On his retirement as chief of the R,,-
reau Of Navigation, he was appointed
10 the presidency Of the board on naval
construction, a place practically created
for him because Of his talents. IJpon
his appointment by the then Secretary
OF the Navy, MetcaIf, President Roose-
welt sent him a personal letter in which
he praised him for his long and efici-
ent services Several years ago Presi-
cent Roosevelt. in writing a letter to a
friend concerning the criticisms OF the
navy, said: o
In particular 1 desire YOU TO get the
opInlon OF Rear Admiral Converse. who,
untll last spring. was chief of the Ru-
Teau OF Navigation. and whose hirb
personal standard OF conduct and drItv
and high professional knowledge and
give judgment"
Long a Sufferer.
Although the immediate cause of the
rear admiraPs death was given as
uraemie poisoning. ne had long been a
sufferer from tuberculosis His indom-
liable courage was well exhibited in his
almost lifelong fight with illness. Al
though he might have retired under
slightly reduced pay for disability he
chose 10 remain IN tha service. coming
10 unusual distinction in the face OF
what seemed TO be insurmountable Oh
stacles.
In the latter years he was forced 10
fcrego many social pleasures in order
that he might have strength enough to
return to his office next DAY. He was
never absent from duty except when
absolutely prevented by sickness. This
tralt was SHOWN IN MS plans TO visit
his office In the Mills Building yester-
Gay. a plan frustrated beca use Of his /
sudden turn for the worse Sunday
night.
He enoeavored 10 spend A portion OF
each summer at his old home in Nor
wich, never giving up his connection
With his native State