The sun., 1917-01-22
General Plan to Distribute
High Billets as Personal
FavOrs Seen.
DEEP SECRECY IN MOVES
Democratic Insurgency Threat
ems to Thwart President
Wilson's Effort.


,ne rank of rear admiral by jumping
MN over the heads of ia senior officers
appears now to be the only salient feature
oil general plan to distribute high bill
tets in the navy stan corps as personal
favors.
Inc other nominations. promoting DR..
william c. Braisted to Medical Director
with a life tenure and the rank OF rear
admiral; Samuel McGowan to Pay Di-
rector with the permanent rank of rear
admiral. and Civil Engineer Frederick
X. Harris to the permanent rank Of
rear admiral, are regarded by the line
and stan of the navy as closely afilli-
ated with the Grayson nomination.
All the appointments are being criti-
cised as f1agrantly violating the revised
statutes now in force which stipulate
that promotions in the stan must be
made by seniority
New Facts Learned.
With reference to the Grayson nom
ination the new facts learned to-day
were the following:
First. no naval officers were aware
that board had been appointed by
Secretary Daniels to examine Drs. Gray
son and Braisted until after the eXamina-
tions had been held at the bureau Of
medicine and surgery and the nomina-
tions sent to the Senate. For some
reason which no one can explain the
utmost secrecy shrouded the makeup
of the board and its duties. Ordinarily
every officer at the Department who
keeps abreast Of what is going OF Is in
formed of the appointment Of any board
shortly after the Judge Advocate-Gen-
eral prepares the precept of the board
and hands il to the Secretary for sigma
ture.
Second. It is learned that DR.. Presley
NJ. RiNey. retired, whom Secretary
Daniels named as head of this special
board, Is not only related to DR.. Gray
son by marriage but has devoted good
part OF his life to advancing the inter
ests OF DIR. Grayson. DR.. Rixey himself
says that he has SO admired DR.. Gray
sons efforts to rise in the world that he
has gone out of his way to help him on
all occasions. 1t Is understood that
when Dr. Rixey was Surgeon-General
and DIR. Grayson an aspiring applicant
for entrance into the Medical Corps the
former extended a helping hand. just
as he extended helping hand at vari-
Gus other times In the young Nirginian's
career and helped him obtain his medi-
cal education.
The interest which DR.. RiXey has
taken in DIR. Grayson is generally re-
garded as commendable--and DIR. Rixey
himself does not seek to minimize it
but naval officers naturally were amazed
to learn that Mr.. Daniels had placed DIR.
Rixey at the head of this special
board" to pass on the especial fitness of
the young officer for the highest med-
cal billet in the service, The added fact
that Mr.. Daniels did it without its be-
coming known and with undue expedi
ton has caused further comment.
DR.. BARRIERS Treatment.
1t was learned to-day that Medical
Inspector George II. Barber. who under
the statutes is next in line for promo
ton to the grade of Medical Director,
has been waiting since early in October
for his examination for this grade.
There has been for weeks considerable
mystery as to why he was not exam
ined. DR.. Barber. who is from Con-
necticut and Is SO years old, is one of
the most efficient medical inspectors In
the navy and has had long experience
as a surgeon.
His friends say they had every reason
to believe that the delay in examining
him was merely an oversight on the part
of Mr.. Daniels and that his just rewards
would come to him In due course. Now
l. is charged that Mr.. Daniels held up
this examination because he knew of the
White House plans and desired to keep
the place open.
DR.. Crayson's confirmation by the
Senate would wipe out all hopes which
Dr. Barber has had. Secretary Daniels,
naval officers pointed out. provided no
examining board for DR.. Barber for four
months, but apparently threw a board
together over night when Dr. Grayson's
case came up.
1t was further learned to-day that
strong pressure and many varied means
are already being brought to bear on
certain persons said to have Senatorial
influence to solicit support for the slate
composed OF Grayson, Braisted, Harris
and McGowan. 1t is expressly against
the navy regulations for any officer to
seek to influence legislation In favor of
his own nomination., so that naval Of
ficers are watching very keenly to see
II these regulations are being adhered to.
Pressure on senator Jones.
Pressure. 1t is said, is being brought
to have Senator Jones withdraw the OBJ
jectlons which he made to the appoint
ment when the nomination reached the
Senate. Senators Tillman and Swanson
are expected to do their best for their
friends Social circles close to the yari-
Gus persons involved are also Interested
In the outcome and are looking to the
triumph of Virginia and South Carolina
over all-obstacles.
1t Is considered likely that a move
will be made in the next few days to
get the nomination OF DR.. 'Grayson con-
iirmed before the opposition has chance
to grow any stronger. Senator Tillman,
who Is looking out for the Senate end
of the affair. fs reported to be worried
over threats OF Democratic Senators to
break away in spite of the wishes of
the President That there may be
enough of these insurgents to upset the
Presidents plan Is now regarded as more
than "A possibility.
Although Dr. Graysons sea service
has been on the Presidential yacht May
flower with a crew of less than $50 men,
his promotion would place him In COM
, mand OF all navy surgeons In hospitals
and at sea and In command OF the heads
OF hospitals. medical inspectors and
others OF the foremost rank, who have
won their spurs by years OF experience
and efficient service.
In other words. II naval hospital
IL selected at random. DR.. Grayson, al
though he is not now qualified to act as
navy surgeon" and is below all the
surgeons, will. IL confirmed, be placed
In command over the head OF that hos
pitai and the heads of other hospitals
In ths country.