Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-10
PROBABLY WILL Be RETIRED
"Exeited" Officer Makes Lengthy
State n,eant Of His Service, But Not
Permitted to Go Outside Medic al
Reeord-Strenuously Objects to
Being Shstved.
(By Associated Press)

The army retiring board which has
been investigating the condition of
! the health OF Colonel w. F. Stewart.
the so-called Fort Grant exile con-
cluded its work today. and while the
result was not officially made pub
lie. it is quit well understood that
the board found Colonel Stewart to
be so seriously afflicted with val
vular disease Of the heart as to in
capacitate him for active service in
the army TIL. finding which has
been ayr ed upon. will be reported
to the secretary OF war tomorrow,
and it is considered probable that
Colonel Stewards retirement by the
President will follow.
Might Become srisadier.
II not retired. Colonel Stewar:
will still have more than four years
of active service. and as he is one
of the oldest officers Of the artill ry
corps. his friends contend that he
would stand good chance of reach
ing the grade OF brigadier general.
II retired he will receive three
fourths of his regular pay, or about
$500 per month
Colonel Makes Statement.
Before the board took the subject
up in executive session today 1t
heard a somewhat detailed st ment
by Colonel Stewart relative 70 his
record in the army, and also listened
to brief argum nts by Colonel Stew
arts counsel. and Recorder Rowland.
who spoke for the service.
Colonel Stewart was not permitted
to GO outside his medical record, and
when his attorney made an effort
to elicit from him the circumstances
under which he had been transferred
from Fort Barancas, Fla. 70 Fort
Grant. Ariz. Captain Howlanu inter
posed positive objections in which
he was sustained.
Had Taken Horseback Rides.
Colonel Stewart said that he had
been in the habit of taking horse
back rides OF from 20 to 30 miles a
day for many years past until his
removal to Fort Grant a year ago.
He found at Fort Grant only one
horse and as that animal was Grip
pie. he was deprived o: this oppor-
tunity for exercise. While at Fort
Grant. however. he had substituted
walking for riding. and had generally
thus covered from eight to fourteen
miles a day. He had never felt any
iii effects from either walking or
riding. and up to month ago he re-
ceived no warning from any physi-
clan against these forms o: eSsr-
else. notwithstanding he had for :hir-
ty-fve years been undcr the observa-
ton of an army surgeon. He said
that ne had known ever since 1874
that his heart was affected. but that
he had paid no attention 10 the
fact
Only Four With Longer Records.
CclongI Stewart stated that he had
been in the service for almost forty
years and he added that there were
only four officers having longer
record.
DO Won wish 20 be rctirct!" ask
cd Mr. Latimer.
No responded Colonel Stewart.
with emphasis.
Why do YOU wish 10 continue in
the service" asked the lawyer.
because have speDt nv life IN
the army and I am fond 4 tn s"r-
vice" replied Colonel stewart Il wa
born al a military posi-. g'cw M on
tho frontier. and when became a
man. entered tho army. SO" no
ason why I shcul! not D. permitted
10 remain an officer until the arrival
Of the time for ny retirement "a
sxed by Law
Msrro6 by irasSibiIity.
Nr. Islimcr for Cobnci Stewart
CATERED into a srncrsI trospect Of
his clients service. which nc said had
been tn subjcct 81 much favorable
comment, the only Giticism being
ny Grncrai Grant. who said that Coz
opci s,e~srt was an able and 80
cica, officer but that his efficiency
~as msrrcd by his issribiIity.
Tn rcpIy Capsair I1,wIaud declared