Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-12
C0MMOT|ON IN GUARD
designations of Naval Battalion
Staff Requested.
THE RESULT OF FRICTION
Probable That Officers Will Refuse to
Resign.
CONDITIONS ABOARD PURITAN
Surgeon Cox Alleged to Intimate That
Trouble Will Follow Persist
ency in Demand.
CONDITIONS ABOARD PURITAN

There was a stir of interest in local Ma
tional Guard circles, particularly among
the members Of the sea-faring element of
the brigade, when 1t became known today
that the designations of the officers con-
stitutfng the entire staff of the Naval Bat
talon had been demanded, and that one of
the officers mentioned, If no more, had an
nounced his determination not TO comply
with the indicated wishes OF his superiors
Those who have been politely, but firmly,
asked to step down and out are Lieut..
Commander r. B. Brummett, Lieut.. Will
liam H. Lantz. chief engineer, and Lieut.
s. Clifford Cox, surgeon.
Friction between the officers named and
Commander S. W. Stratton, commanding
the Naval Battalion, is understood to be
the basis for desiring the three staff off,
GERS to surrender their commissions Com
nander Stratton, 1t is known has felt for
several months past that officers of his
staff were not giving him the earnest and
loyal support to which he considered him
self entitled from them. The battalion
commander recently conferred with Gen.
Harries, commanding the District of CO.
lumbia militia, went over the situation
thoroughly and offered to tender his resig-
nation as the head Of the naval contingent
Of the Districts citizen soldiery organiza-
ton
Gen Harries, however being personally
1amlllar, 1t IS SAID, With the cOHultiO1 vi
things aboard the U. S, s. Puritan, very
promptly decided to retain the Naval Bat
talon In the guard, and Commander STRAIT
ton as the head thereof In order to do
this it was considered necessary to call for
the destinations of Lieut. Commander
Brummett Chief Engineer LantZ and Sur
geon Cox, to the end, 1t was pointed out
that Commander Stratton may surround
himself with officers in sympathy with his
methods, and on whom he can rely for un-
hestating obedience and loyal support.
Surgeon Cox Refuses.
Surgeon Cox, upon receip. of the letter
calling for his resignation, visited militia
headauarters 1t is said, and not only re-
marked that he would not submit to the de-
rnand but intfmated that trouble might en-
sue should the matter be pursued further.
Any disposition on the part of the officers
concerned not to comply with the wishes OF
headquarters. it was explained today by
National Guardsman. could be promptly and
effectually overcome by issuing an order
disbanding the Naval Battalion and dis
charging the officers thereof by reason or
such disbandment The Naval Battalion
could then be reorganiZed with such off1cers
as might be desired by the commanding
general.
A similar course was followed last sum-
mer with the 1st Regiment. That command
was disbanded, on paper, and Col. henry
May and other officers were discharged. The
regiment was then reorganized, with an
other officer as it's colonel. The disband-
ment was merely technical as the several
organizations Of the regiment We're not dis
turbed.