The Washington herald., 1910-07-06
GLEAVESINCOMMAND
Battle Ship North Dakota Is
His New Charge.
PRIDE OF AMERICAN NAVY
Capt. Richard II. MuIIigan vOIun-
tarfIy Retired and Tennessean
Named His SuccessOr-Five CaD-
tains Advanced 10 Commodore on
Retired LIist-Other Promotions.

Capt Albert G. Gleaves. U. S. N, a
native of Tennessee, was yesterday Sc
leeted by Rear Admiral r. F. Nicholson,
with the approval of Secretary Meyer.
TO command the new battle shi North
Dakota.
Capt. Gleaves will succeed Capt. Rich
ard T. Mulligan. who has been ordered
detached by reason of his application for
voluntary retirement having been accept
ed. The retirement is effective from
June 30
Capt. Gleaves realizes his ambition 20
command the pride Of the American
navy. Capt. Mulligan, who was assist
ant chief OF the Bureau of Navigation,
was slated to command the new South
Carolina when Capt. Gleaves was brought
in from command of the St Louis to be
aid to the Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy.
Candidate for Command.
1t was impossible to obtain the de-
sired relief for Capt Mulligan in time
for him to put the South Carolina in
commission, which occurred last fall. and
Capt. Gleaves then became candidate
for the command. GIeaves had been
ashore but a few months. however, so
It was decided to give the South Caroliia
TO Capt A. F. FechteIer.
Capt. Mulligan was promised the North
Dakota. If he should be content 60 re-
main longer at naval headquarters, which
he did.
Even then the North Dakota was placed
in MI Gfn Of f- arH xrrfeh
Commander c. P. Plunket, the executive
officer, acting in command as Capt Null
ligan still was unable 10 get away. He
has been n active command less than
two months, preferring to retire as a re-
suit OF the nervous strain he suffered in
cident TO the trying duties as detail Of
ficer in the Navigation Bureau for prac-
tically three years.
When it was decided last fall 10 give
Capt Mulligan the South Carolina
Gleaves was promised the North Da-
| kota. When Mulligan was compelled
| to remain in the bureau, however. 1t
was held that he was entitled 10 the big
gest and best ship aaoat and Capt
Gleaves was promised either the Florida
or Utah, practically sister ships Of the
North Dakota, but which viii not be
commissioned for nearly another year
|
Dreadnought. Gleaves has opportunity TO
realize his ambition. Gleaves is recog-
nized as one OF the most efficient officers
IN the navy.
Eleven Voluntarily Advanced.
All eleven officers who voluntarily re-
tired under the personnel, including Capt.
Mulligan. were formally ordered detached
from duty yesterday and placed on the
retired list, each with advancement to
the next higher grade. The I'VE captains
| accordingly are advanced 10 commodore
on the retired list, and the six comman-
ders 10 captains
The three officers elected by the
| ''plucking board" for voluntary retire.
ment IN order to make the fourteen ad-
ditional vacancies desired by June 80 last
are still unknown, President Taft having
not yet approved them. While the per-
sonnet law stipulates that the names Sc
| lected by this board shall be approved
| by the President, neither former Presi-
! dent Roosevelt nor President Taft has
as yet exercised, in connection with
these lists. the recognized prerogative
of the Executive to veto any law or
order.
The three officers who will be COM
| pulsorily retired are. It is understood.
| either all in the grade of captain or
within half a dozen numbers OF the top
on the commanders list. This will mean
number of additional promotions.
among them being natives of Maryland
and officers on duty in Maryland. Lieut.
| Commander Richard II. Jackson. sta
toned at Indian Head Md, as ordnance
! inspector, will be carried Up as extra
number, with Lieut. Commander H. G.
Gates to commander, Lieut.. Commander
Arthur B. Hoff, of Maryland, and ap-
pointed TO the service by the President
from AT large" will be promoted to
commander. as will also be the follow
ing:
Promotions 10 Commander.
Louis Mccoy Mutton. Of Virginia, on
duty at the Naval Academy; George r.
MARVEL. stationed at the Naval Academy;
Louis r. de Steigner, lighthouse inspector
for the Fifth district, stationed in Bal
timore.
In all, the eleven voluntary and eight
compulsory retirements will create eleven
new captains and sixteen new command
eTs with about twenty new lieutenant
commanders and about twenty-three new
! lieutenants. The retirement of a total
of eight captains viii take up three extra
At44iDSlS- NolIliilduueT j. IL OlNefs at the
Naval War College; Commander Edward
E. Hayden. at the Naval Observatory;
Commander Charles H. Harlow, at the
| Naval War College.
Included m the list of promotions to
captain win be Commander John Hood.
at the Naval War College Commander
Hood has been on duty at the Naval
Academy in command of the station yes
sells the past two years, during which
time he was president of the Sutton court
of inquiry at the academy last August