New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-12

Roosevelt, asking him TO let me tell
what | believed he probably thought
of Captain John II. Gibbons, who two
weeks ago was retired from the navy
by the "plucking board"
Colonel Roosevelt's answer arrived
after this article had been sent out,
but his letter requires no context.
This shows us Captain Gibbons as
Theodore Roosevelt, when President Of
the United States, knew him.
Eager and generous, it shows US,
also, something of the man who wrote
it, who, deep in his own affairs, which
are the affairs of many millions of
people, found time to answer a signal
of distress from a shipmate in trouble.
This is Colonel Roosevelt's letter:
"Oyster Bay, Long Island.
Dear Davis:
while | was President, and there
fore Commander in Chief of the Navy,
Captain Gibbons served under my per-
sonal eye, and am able to speak from
first hand knowledge of his conduct
and efficiency. | saw him in command
OF the Dolphin; | saw him in non-eom-
mand positions on other ships: | saw
him in the Navy Department at Wash
ington, and | consulted him about
questions of equipment, direction and
general naval policy in naval matters.
In every position he showed himself
to be man of marked efiiciency-one
of the most useful men in the navy,
one of the men who, as President, |
should, in the event of war, have been
delighted to see in a position of re-
sponsibility and command, because |
was well assured that in such n posi-
tim hp unnlh haar hi calf f.o rlagcl,.
efficiently and honorably.
From the standpoint of the coun-
try | regret very greatly that there Is
any danger OF our losing his services.
81 am, faithfully yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Efficient Men Retired.
Fifteen years ago promotion in the
navy was so slow that officers did not
attain high rank at an age when they
best were fitted TO WELD it. So Con-
gress enacted that each year, unless
forty officers, by resignation or death,
left the navy, as many as would make
up that number of vacancies must be
forcibly retired. The duty of elimin-
sting them was given to board of
Rear Admirals, known as the Board on
Selection for Retirement, or more ia
military as the "plucking board" The
idea was to get rid of the deadwood.
But last year, and this, the "plucking
board" has shown that either it has
cut down the deadwood and to obtain
its annual sacrifice must lop off living
boughs, or that it does not know dead
wood from green.
Last year il eliminated Captain Tenn
pleton Potts, most efficient and
hlf nNrcar orotpot ,,rbn pnthtpn
could be urged, except lack Of sea SER
vice. To this Captain Potts has replied
that he repeatedly asked for DUTY at
sea. but was ordered by the Navy De-
partment to serve on different boards
on shore. Accordingly, for no other
reason apparently than he obeyed the
orders of his superiors, the "plucking
board" dismissed him from the navy,
This year the "plucking board" has
eliminated officers of such value to the
service that hereafter undoubtedly the
"plucking board" itself will be elm
mated
When he announced the names OF
those ordered out, Secretary Daniels
said that since he had taken charge Of
the Navy Department it was the most
unpleasant duty he had been called
upon to perform. In the list OF those
he retired. he said, he recognized some
Of the most efficient officers in the
service.
"There should be some method by
which officers will be able 10 reach
higher grades" said the Secretary OF
the Navy, while they are yet young
enough to be of real service. But the
present method is too cruel. The re-
tirements to-day are tragedies. ] think
this is the last 'plucking board the
Navy Department will call together.
Should BE Restored.
For the appreciative and sympa-
thetic attitude of Secretary Daniels in
this matter those who consider the
"plucking board" a menace and who
believe, for the good Of the navy, it
should 20, are grateful.
But removing judge from the
bench because he has condemned inno-
cent men is not enough. II the inno-
cent men still remain in prison, pun
ishing the judge will not help them.
If the "plucking board" has cast into
cutter darkness efficient officers, men
the navy wants, men for years trained
and drilled in her service, who are her
loyal and devoted servants, not only
should the "plucking board" be
"plucked," but the men who have been
SO unjustly Inundated should be re-
stored TO duty--not only in justice to
them, but for the good of the ser
vice" The navy cannot afford to lose
them. She cannot at the age Of their
greatest usefulness throw them on the
scrap heap.
Just as each year the value Of bat
tleship decreases, the value Of the man
who commands bsttleship grows; his
blow is heavier, his experience is more
widely gathered, his ability and judg-
ment have been put through severe
tests; each day, considering him mere
w as a machine, he has increased in
power. output and efficiency. His
growth in discipline, loyalty, in deyo-
ton to his country, may be taken for
granted.
or those officers "plucked" this year,
except by reputation know but one
lie is Captain John II. Gibbons. until
a few DAYS ago in command Of the
battleship Utah. And to illustrate the
kind of man the "plucking board" sees
iii 70 "recall," would like TO remind
the readers of The Tribune Of his
record.
.-,..~ aD-n antIrnrlHtAIN