The Washington herald., 1911-12-07

Dy Representative tOSS, "echS' anu
Dalzell, resulted in the first statement
by Secretary of the Navy Meyer regard
ing his reasons for the removal OF Rear
Admiral Reginald F. Nicholson as the
head of the Bureau of Navigation and
the selection OF Commander Philip An
drews, personal aid to the Secretary,
as his successor. Admiral Nicholson
has been assigned to command the Ash
attic squadron. succeeding Rear sAd-
miral Joseph B. Murdock. The change
was to have taken place in January.
Secretary Meyer made IT plain that
Admiral Nicholson was asked to step
out of the bureau and take sea duty
for reasons consistent with the Meyer
policy of reorganization In the depart
ment, especially in regard to the rela-
tive positions of the numerous bureaus.
Admiral Nicholson was frankly told
that a reorganization of his bureau
which would amount to an emascula-
ton of most of its powers. was intend
ed, and that the Secretary preferred
to have the changes put into effect by
a new man rather than by one who had
had charge under the old system. The
Secretary intends to further subordi-
nate the Bureau OF Navigation to the
system of aids which he has inaugu-
rated, and is planning a complete
change of the personnel OF the bureau.
President Gives Assent.
The assent of President Taft TO these
plans, including Commander Andrews
appointment, has been obtained by Sec
retary Meyer. He stated yesterday that
he knew of no opposition at this time
which would cause any alteration OF his
programme
The delegation of Congressman. headed
by Representative FOss. who was chair
man of the House Committee on Naval
Affairs under the Republican rule, told
President Taft that they understood that
Admiral Nicholson had been forced out
of the Bureau of Navigation two years
before the time when he was supposed to
again take sea DUTY.
Secretary Meyer conferred with Presi-
dent Taft soon after the visit of the Con-
gresSmen. and later at his Office stated
that the facts in the case were as follows:
Admiral Nicholson was summoned by
the Secretary, and told that in a few
months there would be an opportunity
for him TO command the Asiatic squad
ron. owing to the approaching retirement
of Rear Admiral Murdock. Admiral Mich
olson stated that the position of COM
OF the ASiatic station was
one he had looked forward to for a long
time. but that he would have preferred
that the opportunity be presented to him
at some time many months in the future.
Secretary Meyer replied that opportunity
waits for no man.
NIchOIEon Was Willing.
The next lay, according to Secretary
Meyer, Admiral Nicholson came to him
and asked permission to announce his
a lnnnintrnnnt 70 fhn nd This
permission was granted, and the an
made. Admiral Nicholson, It is
stated, said that had he been an admiral
when made chief of the bureau. he would
not have cared for the post in its state
Of reduced influence.
When II was suggested to Secretary
Meyer that the opposition to his plans
might carry the fight to the Senate and
oppose the confirmation of Commander
Andrews appointment, he said that he
believed the appointment would be con-
frmed, nevertheless. The transfer would
not be made. however. he said, II the
situation in China continued at all criti-
cal. That is, that Rear Admiral Nichol-
son would be given some other sea COM
nand, probably with the Pacific fleet,
rather than displace Admiral Murdock in
the midst of trOublous times in China.
Admiral Nicholson is taking no part in
the opposition to his removal and re-
fuses to discuss the controversy.
Cadets Stay Fired.
President Taft yesterday informed
delegation of Senators that when a cadet
S dismissed from the Military Academy
At West Point for violation of the regu-
atiOns his case is settled absolutely and
,annot be reopened by the Executive.
rhe only way the cadets can be restored
% the Service is by an act Of Congress.
Furthermore. Mr.. Taft informed his
'allers he intended to veto legislation in
ended to restore dismissed cadets to the
Military Academy, because such action
~ Congress will tend to subvert disciS
'line at the institution. The Senatorial |
delegation which saw the President in
'ehalf of dismissed cadets were Senators |
Martin and Swanson of Virginia, and
3ryan and Fletcher, of Florida, and Ba-
'on, Of Georgia. They asked the Presi- ,
lent to reopen the cases of five West |
'oint cadets dismissed for infractions of !
he regulations. Two were from Georgia,
ne from Florida, one from Delaware, |
md one from Virginia
President Taft mas decided to reappoint !
ames S. Harlan, of Illinois, as a men, |
'er Of the Interstate Commerce Commits |
ion. His present term will expire on !
anuary l next and his nomination 4e- |
ppointing him for a seven-year term |
will be sent to the Senate to-day. Com
missioner Harlan is a son of the late |
Associate Justice Harlan, of the United |
tates Supreme Court
Representative Sulzer. OF New York, |
OF the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs, called at the White
louise yesterday. AS he was leaving Mr..
ulzer said: "The committee prepared to
make out against Russia clear case of
iolation of the treaty of 1882 in its treat
lent CT American Jews"
VIII Attend Peace Dinner.
President Taft has accepted an invita-
on to participate in public celebration
i Philadelphia on the afternoon Of De-
smber 80 which will mark the fiftieth
of the founding of the mer-
antile establishment of John Wannama-
er. That night Mr.. Taft and Secretary
State Knox will attend the peace din
er in New York
President Taft yesterday received sew
al hundred delegates representing the
tlantic Deep Waterway Association,
no are attending the National Rivers
nd Harbors Congress. The delegates
ere presented to Mr.. Taft by Repre-
'ntative ]. Hampton Moore. Of Phila-
elphia,