Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-18
REPR|MAND IN ORDERS
Rebuke to Officers Convicted
of Forage Violations.
SUSPENDED FROM DUTY
Penalty Imposed in Col. Cornman's
Case Deemed Inadequate"
SIGNAL FAILURE IN DUTY
Capt. French Included in General
Orders Issued by Gen.
Bell. 4.

General orders issued by the War De-
partment In regard to the cases OF Col.
Daniel Cor1lman and Capt Charles q.
French contain severe reprimands for
those officers. They were recently convict
ed by court-martial of violations Of the
regulations governing the issue OF forage
for military purposes.
Col. Cornman was sentenced to be sus.
pended from command for a period OF ono
month and to be reprimanded. The repri-
mand was issued by Gen. Bell. chief OF
staff. by order of the Secretary Of War.
1t follows:
The record Of trial in the case OF Col.
Cornman. 7th Infantry. having been sub
mitted to the President. the findings and
sentence have been approved by him.
though the sentence is deemed Inadequate
In view Of the gravity OF the offense.
1.-The testimony elected at the trial OF
this case leaves no doubt in the mind Of
the reviewing authority that Col. Cornman
was directly responsible for the misappro-
priation of public property at the post
which has been intrusted to his command.
Failed to Take Initiative.
I'm view of the extensive powers which
are vested in q commanding officer in vir-
tue Of his rank and station in the military
service. and having regard to the specific
duties of supervision In matters Of post
administration. which are vested In him
by law and regulations. it cannot be COM
coded that particular unlawful practice
or a specific abuse must be brought to his
attention, in the form of suggestions or
reports submitted by officers OF his com.
charged with the duty Of applying q rem.
edy.
1.-THE statutes governing the issue OF
forage and other public property, and the
regulations established by the executive
In furtherance thereof. vest In a post com.
mander an original supervisory jurisdio.
ton, and the department has q right to
expect that the acts and measures to
which he resorts in the exercise of those
powers shall result from his own initia-
tive: In other words. that they shall
spring from his own sense OF duty to tho
government and shall not originate in the
reports or suggestions OF others. The
laws, regulations and the wholesome ana
long established custom Of service require
commanding officers of all grades to take
such steps. Of their own volition. as will
satisfy them that the public property and
stores furnished for the use of their com.
liation or misrepresentation.
Signally Failed in His Duty.
1.-THE record of the trial shows thaa
Col. Cornman signally failed in the per-
Torrance of his duties as post command
err. AS a result Of such failure public
property to a considerable value has been
appropriated to unlawful uses. and just
and well founded reproach has been cast
upon the administration Of an important
military post. The finding reached by 4
court composed of officers of the highest
rank and broadcast experience is suffi-
cient refutation OF the unsubstantial de-
Tense that the deplorable practices which
have been found to exist at Fort Wayne
prevailed or would have been tolerated,
elsewhere in the military establishment. Z
THAT portion of the sentence directing
suspension from command for the period
of one month will be duly executed"