The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-05-19
APPOINTMENT Is
WELL RECEIVED
Suits Both Consers atives aud Rad
icals in Navy Circles Wins
Promotion by Long and
Faithful Service
BY BURTON X. sTANDlsH.
written for the United Press.)

tWAittch iui Inc united PreSS.)
Washington, May -Ex-circum-
navigator Of Africa, ex-Arotic explorer.
sea rover more or less for trenty-
two years, Rear Admiral William
Shepherd Benson, late Capt. Benson.
commander of the Philadelphia navy
yard, has taken up his duties as chief
OF naval operations here with the
confidence Of his superiors. the re-
spect of his equals, and the admiration
Of his snbordinates Nearly sixty years
old, he Is known to his intimate friends
as Dear Old Ben" old In this being a
term of affection and not applying to
physical appearance. When you meet
Admiral Benson you see man appar-
emily forty-five, tall and with fine car
riage, dark hair slightly sprinkled
with gray, and with deep set, piercing
eyes that show the born leader.
Rear Admiral Benson's appointment
has been received with great satisfac-
tion by both the conservatives and tho
radicals of the navy. His wide expert
ence in naval tactics and administra-
ton has assured the former that he
will do nothing wild, while the latter
are confident that he is always pro-
gressive to the point Of greatest effic-
iency Indeed, his we'll established
character for careful, sane, construc-
tive work places him In position in
the navy similar to that held by Brig.
Gen. Hugh Scott, chief Of staff Of the
army. Dependability is said to be the
keynote of Rear Admiral Benson's
character.
His appointment came as somewhat
OF surprise to the nevy set in Wash
ington, where he has been but two
months out Of his twenty-five years
service. 1t is inferred by many that
Secretary Daniels chose him for that
reason, in order to insure the greatest
possible amount of cooperation be-
tween the new chief of naval opera
tions and those with whom he has to
work, particularly the secretary him
self. The latter's, first choice for the
position was Admiral Fletcher but he
was unwilling to give up the command
of the Atlantic fleet. Many of the
other officers, who were supposed
would be offered the position have, as
Rear Admiral Fiske, shown such
difference of opinion with Secretary
Daniels that the latter thought it best
to pick an officer sympathetic with his
naval policy.
There has been nothing spectacular
about Rear Admiral Benson's rise. He
has won each promotion by long,
steady, faithful service and attention
to duty. He is native Of Macon, Ga,
the son Of an instructor in Greek III
one of the southern colleges.
This appointment is in particular de-
parture from what is called naval ad.
ministration by the "swivel-chair bri-
gade,' that is, officers who have been
holding down positions in the depart
ment for many years and who cannot,
many believe, bring the necessary
amount Of practical experience to bear
on their work. 1t is believed that the
policy of Secretary Daniels is gradu-
ally to place in control the most inn
portant divisions Of the navy those
men who have shown talent in their
work at sea and in their commands at
naval stations.