Not Favorably Considered

Every now & then, plain U.S. citizens get carried away by the superior gold braid of other nations. The U.S. Navy, which to civilian eyes has a fair amount of gold braid of its own, is not immune to such rankophilia. After brooding over the glittering top rank of the British armed forces --13 Field Marshals, ten Admirals of the Fleet, four Marshals of the R.A.F.--Secretary Knox asked Congress to authorize the rank of Admiral of the Fleet for U.S. forces.

What looked good to the Navy looked good to the Army too; Congress began to consider the rank of Field Marshal. But last week the program, which would have automatically put the traditional baton into the hands of Chief of Staff George Marshall (and given it to other generals later), hit a snag.

George Marshall refused to approve such a bill. Although the new rank had the President's approval, he did not think it necessary. For once, Congressmen could agree with the politest form of turndown used in Army correspondence: "Not favorably considered."

The Navy made no comment. But in turning down his own promotion, George Marshall had made anti-Navy ammunition for Congressmen to fire at will. If the "Admiral of the Fleet" bill ever gets to the floor of the House, it is sure to get some sniping.

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