The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-02
The Source Of Naval Officers.


We are not inclined to accept without
question the authenticity OF the interview
alleged 10 have been held by a London
Daily News reporter. the other day. with
Rear Admiral Willard II. Brownson. U. S.
~, retired. That officer IS quoted as ex-
pressing himself In a truly remarkable
way. considering his knowledge Of naval
conditions in his own country. It will be
safe 10 reserve judgment in the matter
until It can be escertained whether Rear
Admiral Brownson has been correctly
quoted. The officer is made to say:
II think It would be a great mistake
70 promote nOu-CommiSsiOned officers OF
the British navy 10 commissioned grades.
and / am convinced that you would. IN
the process. spoil a good warrant officer,
without securing his equivalent Not only
so, but you would further create a feel
ing Of soreness and jealousy in the minds
OF those non-cOmmissioned officers who
failed to obtain higher rank. I am not
for one moment undertaking the worth
and ability of the warrant officer. Far
from this being the case, II IS because
think so highly OF his capacity that 7 am
opposed 10 the idea OF his being placed
IN an invidious position. Such transition
is not possible IN the American navy,
Notwithstanding the fact that no finer
body Of men could be imagined than our
warrant officers
Replying to a suggestion that the British
navy would find increasing difficulty IN
securing the best type Of man II the door
OF advancement were kept closed, Ad-
miral Brownson said:
IT know nothing Of that All I can say
Is we have no difficulty IN getting men.
and men OF the best quality I'm the
United States navy. especially from the
West, In spite OF the conditions which
I have named. You won't shake my con-
viction that in allowing a warrant officer
70 become a commissioned officer YOU will
spoil the former without getting any ad-
eQuate return"
OF course. Rear Admiral Brownson
never intended 70 give the Impression
that warrant officers Of the United States
navy could not become commissioned Of
ficers. because they do-a few every year
or so. Perhaps that IS not the particular
transition" TO which Admiral Brownson
refers. and there may be some idea In
the service that the commissioned officers
should come from among graduates Of
the Naval Academy. There is, admitted
ly, much TO be said in favor of that
proposition, on the ground that the mid
shipmen receive an expensive training
covering n period Of six years, and enter
the institution at Annapolis representing
every section Of the country and all va
rieties OF people. At the same time. the
service has obtained some most efficient
officers from the warrant positions. and
there is no doubt that the prospect Of
promotion to commissioned grades in
dUces some young men Of ambition and
ability to enlist in the navy. as they do
IN the army. II is hardly likely that a
warrant officer is spoiled by becoming a
commissioned officer without adequate
return. unless there IS some subtle inAu-
ence which operates only in certain cases
to make acceptable naval officers. It is
hardly likely that Rear Admiral Brown
son cherishes any such pretense.