Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-26

u :. Navy. * Il
BY the failure to nominate for the
grade of captain, for which he was
selected by the 1928 line selection board,
Comdr. Vaughn K. Conan, commanding
Division / Of the Destroyer Squadrons,
Scouting Fleet, there has been created
a peculiar situation in the promotion
of naval officers. 1t is interesting To
note in this connection that the fol-
lowing commanders were designated at
that time for advancement in the order
named: Albert N, Norris additional
number) and william L. FFiedel, July
/, 1928, vice Capt. Percy NJ Olmstead
retired, June 80; Burton H. Green
August II, and Isaac p. Fortsh, Gordon
w. Haines, John w. Wilcox, jr.; Law
renee N McNair. William Baggaley
Benjamin Dutton, jr.; Halford r.
Greenlee additional numher), Vaughn
K. Conan and Reed M F.well There
were no vacancies in sight for Comdrs.
Conan and Fawell when the SELECTION
board made its report, but since that
time vacancies have occurred and the
President sent to the Senate on April
% the nominations of Comdrs. Greenlee
and Fawell, whose nominations were
confirmed on March S. At the present
time there exists two additional vacan-
cies.
The omission of Comdr. Coman's
nomination, it has been brought out,
was due to the fact that that officer,
since the selection board made its rec
concentrations, which included him as
an officer to be promoted, has lost FIVE
numbers by sentence of court-martial
on technical charge resulting from
the grounding of the ship which was at
tached to the squadron of which he was
in command. This operated to place
Comdr. Conan below Cofndr Fawell,
and he so lost his position of seniority
to the latter and the right to prior pro-
motion when the vacancy existed. The
next selection board will meet next June.
when 1t will submit recommendations
of commanders to be promoted to cap
tain to the vacancies untitled by the
1928 selections.
The primary question is whether
Comdr. Conan, now the last of the Of
flcers on the 1928 list of selected COM
manders, may be promoted without re-
gard to what recommendations are
made by the 1929 board, or whether he
shall not be promoted until the 1929
board makes it report, and whether the
1928 selection will have validity or the
1929 board will be expected to recon-
slider him. The limitation by the Secre-
tary of the Navy to Comdr. Coman's
present loss of numbers and resembling
the remaining loss of numbers by the
sentence is one possible solution of the
problem. this making it possible to NOM
mate Comdr. Conan to the grade of
captain without further delay.
The ridiculous situation that finds
Rear Admiral Thomas p. Magruder
continuing on waiting orders beyond the
period of IL months, already elapsed
since he was placed in that status by
Ia hATN sata ,s.rr If lf Ma
precipltated by that officers contribu-
tons critical Of the Navy and naval
administration, which were published
may be relieved by the Controller Gen
eral of the United States. 1t is quite
within the province of the latter off,
Cial to inquire as to the occasion and
necessity for keeping Rear Admiral Ma
gruder on waiting orders, especially
when it is represented that there exists
great need for officers of his rank in the
performance of naval duty afioat anc
ashore. In occupying that status he i:
drawing full pay and allowances as il
he were actually on shore duty. Shoulc
he be placed on furlough, he would draw
one-half of the pay without allowance!
prescribed for an officer OF his grad,
by the act of l922-or a difference be
tween 50, TOO and $4,000 year. Thu
Controller General might suggest. 1t i
said. that unless Rear Admiral Ma
pruder Is the object Of departments
" discipline and is the recipient Of form
OF punishment, which is apparently tn
situation, he should be restored to duty
ON the other hand, If 1t is the depart
mental judgment that he should be rep
limanded or rebuked. he should be trie,
bv a court martial, with the c0nsequen
opportunity of executing any sentcne
that may be thus legally imposed. 1t