New-York tribune., 1902-12-05
BAR MEN FROM TOURNEY
COLONIES DYER AND AUSTEN ORDER
REGIMENTS NOT TO APPEAR IN
GARDEN MILITARY SHOW.


What may result in important changes in the
annual Military Athletic League tournament
az Madison Square Garden developed yesterday
when it beeanse known that Colonel GeorgS r.
Dyer Of the Eth Regiment and Colonel David
E Austen of the 18th Regiment had decided
that their organizations should not be repre-
sented in the coming tournament. and that
Brigadier General George Moore Smith. COM
ma1ding the FIRST Brigade. had practically in
dorsed the action of the colonels
Colonel Dyer announced early in the week
that he would oppose his officers taking
part in the tournament Yesterday he formally
announced this decision to Colonel Charles H
Luscomb. president of the league Colonel
Austen had written to Colonel Luscomb few
days before in the same strain Colonel Dyer
said yesterday: My reason is that the league
is not constituted in such way make il
entirely proper that troops in the active service
of the State should take part in the Garden
displays"
Colonel Austen went into a longer explanation
He said:
Il wrote to Colonel LuscOmb several days
ago. explaining that the 18th could no longer
be represented by either delegates by details
of troops in the league. My reason for this
action is this: 1 strongly OF the opinion
that the State National Guard should not take
part in any affairs not ordered by the State or
under law. not directly under the supervision
of the commanding officer Of the guard. as It IN
wolves removal of uniforms. etc, without au-
thority or order. 1 regard this in the Same light
the National Guard Association. to which
for many years We have not sent delegation"
The 18th is the largest regiment in the State.
and the 18th is nearly as large. being prac-
tieaIly tied with the 7th Regiment in member
ship
General Smith said:
Commanding officers OF regiments right
in not permitting their organizations OF any
portion of them to take part in reviews or other
military ceremonies of any kind when by so
doing they are to be commanded by those not
authorized by law to exercise command over
the troops of the State He declined to say
what action ne would take
1t is known that some officers have protested
to General Smith against allowing troops in the
active service to be commanded at reviews
and drills by an officer the supernumerary
list. and General Smiths reference in his tn
tervew to those not authorized by law Is
supposed TO be aimed at Colonel Luscoub. who
is not In active service but Is on the super
numerary list. although he has been command
ing the detachments of guardsnen who have
made up many parades in Madison Square
Garden. General Smith fs known to be heart
lily in favor of the military tournament. and
those near TO him say that only his desire to
keep within the strict letter OF the code could
have induced him take the stand he has
taken
Colonel Luscornb was asked yesterday about
the attitude of the 18th and 18th Regiments.
and said that he had been informed by Colonel
Dyer and Colonel Austen of their position He
said he could not understand why they should
do this but declined to discuss the question
All he would say this:
The tournament will go this season. as
before, although sorry to lose the sup
| port Of such a regiment as the 18th. The in
terest OF the army and navy in the tournament
this season is greater than ever. and we have
| been assured by Rear Admiral H. c. Taylor.
| Chief of the Bureau of Navigation that the
I training ship Lancaster Hartford or Topeka
| would be sent to New-York for the tournament
| week thus insuring splendid representation
/ Of bluejackets-.
Those who have been opposing the present ad-
nlnstration of the Military Athletic Lea que are
said to favor plan BY which the league viii
/ be put under the control of the adjurant gem
eraI comma nding general of the guard in
order TO give 10 more official character 1t IL
even reported that Brigadier General Smith
may later issue order forbiddIng guardsmen
taking part in the military toUFna ment- While
/ none of the officers OF the league yesterday
would talk about such action. friends Of Colonel
| Lusconlb doubted that the head of the brigade
/ would issue such order