Brothers-in-law

Some two score Septembers ago Midshipman Samuel S. Robison and Midshipman Charles P. Hughes were classmates and roommates at the Naval Academy. Graduating, they married sisters. For 40 years their friendship has been unbroken and their careers strikingly parallel. During the war each received a decoration for "exceptionally meritorious services." At present they rank 17 and 18 on the list of Naval officers.

When the U. S. Fleet returns shortly from Australia waters, one of the Navy Department's periodic shakeups, in which officers are alternated between fleet and shore service, will place the two former midshipmen in ranking command of the U. S. Naval forces afloat, Admiral Samuel S. Robison, sturdy, stocky determined, dark complex-loned with iron gray hair and a close cropped mustache, will become Commander in Chief of the U. S. Fleet, succeeding Admiral Coontz. And Admiral Charles F. Hughes, "huge friendly and dynamic," ruddy-complexioned and bushily mustached, will assume the second ranking command--that of the Battle Fleet.

Since it is our settled Naval policy, at least for the present, that the country's first line of defense must be kept on the Pacific coast, Admiral Robison, in his flagship the Seattle, and Admiral Hughes, whose flagship will be the California, will be apt to spend much of their time near the great major ship concentration base at Bremerton, on Puget Sound. There Admiral Robison, 58 "proficient at tennis", and Admiral Hughes, 59, "a fire eater of a friendly sort", will enjoy halcyon days.