The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-11-06
ATHLETIC CHAPLAIN
ON TRANSPORT LOGAN

Two men passed through on the
transport Logan the other day who
have both made their mark in military
life especially in connection with the
Philippines. One was John T. Axiom,
chaplain of the 18th Infantry, and the
other Carl B. Hard, who has been chief
of the secret police of Manila for many
years, an officer who has made a fine
record in suppressing lawless elements
in the Philippine capital. Chaplain AK
ton is the friend of the enlisted man,
and outside his duties as chaplain, he
enters into all manner of entertain
ments on behalf of the soldiers. He
gives illustrated lectures, backs all ath-
letic diversions, looks out for reading
matter for the infantryman and makes
himself generally useful in way which
endears him to the rank and file Tween
ty years ago Axton was secretary of
the Y. NJ. c.. A, at Salt Lake City. He
not only backed the Y. NJ. c. A., in its
athletic development, but was one Of
the best football players in the Nor
mon capital, until an accident put him
off the active list. Carl Hard was
reporter on the Salt Lake Tribune when
the Spanish war broke out when he
enlisted in the Torrey Rough Riders.
He went to the Philippines and on pass
ing out of the army was assigned to
the secret service and has risen to the
head of that important branch of the
lnsular government.
What the Army Needs.
WASHINGTON, October 15.-Treat-
ing practically of every branch of the
Army, the annual report of Inspector
General E. A. Darlington, made public
today, is devoted to careful comment
on existing conditions, some of which
are criticized and others commended.
Generally speaking the belief is ex-
pressed that the Army is greatly in
need of increase in the infantry and
field artillery and of reorganization of
the cavalry, and the opinion is ad
vaneed that legislation to this end
would no doubt be facilitated by quar-
tering the troops where they would
come close in contact with the people.
There was an increase of about 40
per cent. in defects, Irregularities and
deficiencies reported per post during
the past year. The irregularities and
deficiencies are, however, in the blunt
iy expressed opinion of General Gar
lington, such as may be remedied if
officers would make a reasonable effort
to master the regulations and exercise
good common sense. Forcibly the re-
port presents the problem of absentee
ism of officers from their commands,
there being general complaint from all
directions. 1t is said that the service
is more or less crippled by this prae-
tise. General Darlington declares it
should be determined whether the val
liable services rendered the govern
ment by officers in certain lines of de-
taehed duty compensate for the loss of
efficiency in their own organizations
due to their absence, and for the dis
content of the officers who have to per-
form the extra duty without extra pay
while those absent frequently receive
extra emolument.
In a chapter devoted to the annual
physical tests inaugurated at the direc-
ton of President Roosevelt, General
Darlington concludes with the observa-
ton that scheme requiring each of
fcer to take exercise commensurate
with his duties and age, during the
entire year, as shown by personal
monthly reports, would better accom-
,plish the purpose sought by Mr.. ROose-
velt's orders than the practise now in
vogue.