New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-22
THE 69TH'S TROUBLES.
MAJOR sTRoNG's REPORT NOT YET MADE
WHAT GENERAL SMITH SAYS

The action of Captain Anthony J. Griffin. OF
Company F, Goth Regiment in falling 10 assemble
his company Monday evening. that 1t might
be formally mustered out of the service in keep
ing with the orders of the Adjutant-Ci General, will
not change the aspect OF the 1.-The object
Of assembling the company" said General George
Moore Smith. was simply for the purpose OF
establishing the service record OF the enlisted
men and having their time OF service credited to
them. The captain should know and ne probably
does know, that the order 10 that effect prac-
tically disbands the company. I have had no
official communication from Major Strong. the
inspector my stan. who intrusted with
the duty of carrying out this order and until that
is received 1 say what further action
will be taken in the matter"
Company f, which ordered dsbanded on the
ground that II below the standard required by
law, has sent forward petition to Governor Roose-
welt asking that the order of disarmament be
voked and that the company be given oppor-
tunity to demonstrate that it IS worthy of being
retained in the State service. This petition was
signed by ffty-two members Of the company and
sent direct to the Governor instead of through
the regular channel
When the members of the company assembled at
the armory last night they found their company
room locked. and they were Informed by the armor-
er that it could not be opened until the Colonel gave
order to that effect.
Captain Griffin did not arrive the armory until
late, and upon learning tina. his men were locked
out he asked permission of Captain Hanan Of
pany f were allowed TO do so. A meeting was held,
and those present decided to stick together. 1t
also held that the company still unit Of the
seth. the had not yet received their dis
charges
Captain Griffin says he is not worried at all over
any possible charges that may be preferred against
him.
An officer of the regiment said last night:
1T is unfair to Critcise Colonel Duffy for not being
present last Monday night TO meet Major Strong
(HavV
tain Griffin the officer required to the Ma
jor. The Colonel represented by his adjutant,
and several officers were in the armOry during the
evening. The reorganization of Company F has
been begun by ex-Lieutenant NJ. O'Neil Calvin of
the 9th Volunteers and he has already secured
some twenty promising recruits, and and
better company is assured.
Company H, commanded by Captain Deven, had
the drill floor last night only two officers and
eighteen men.
1t Is generally believed that the next company to
receive the attention of the brigade commander
will be Company B. commanded by Captain Ed
ward T. McCrystal This company had sixteen
men present out Of total Of sxty-one on Mon
day evening and the small attendance Is looked
upon as indicative Of the same spirit that caused
the disbandment of Company F. Captain Nc
spicuous in the regimentaI troubles and has
been credited with being the leader OF the night
which was made against 'nOn-Irishmen In the
regiment" at the time Putnam Bradee Strong
General smith said that he could say nothing
as to what would be done in the case OF Com
pany B until he had received Major Strongs re-
port. but that 1t was his intention TO compel com
pany commanders to keep their commands up
to the standard. and II he found that they either
would not could not do they would have 70
make room for more competent and reliable Of
fcers.
1t is believed by some people that the knowl-
edge that they have political pull with Tam
many leaders has made some officers neglectful
OF their duties and that they feel secure in their
places because of their pull When this was sug-
gested to General Smith he said that he could
not say anything TO what such officers believed.
but he knew that the division commander as
well as the commander in chief. agreed with him
the point that politics must and should be kept
of the National Guard, and that incom-
petent untruStworthy officers would find poitti-
cal pulls OF avail
The bad showing OF the 18th Regiment Is
source Of much distress among the people who
instrumental in securing the new armory
site. especially since the disbandment Of the rest-
ment is again being suggested.