The San Francisco call., 1909-04-16
GHN.I.A.kOSTER
IS PLACED ON
RETIRED LIST
Entire Staff of Second Brigade
Is Included in the
Shakeup
Reorganization Made to Put
Guardsmen on Plane With
the Regulars

The second brigade of the national
guard Of California was abolished yes
terday. Brigadier General John a. kos
ter. commanding. and his entire staff
being placed on the retired list.
The order came from the Office Of
Adjutant General Lauck in Sacramento
and was along the lines laid down by
the. Dick congressional bill, which called
for general reorganization Of the
militia forces OF the state, with a
view Of putting them on the same plane
as the regulars. The shakeup was
the most startling OF any in the mill
tary history Of the state, and though
II had been generally recognized that
there would have to be some changes,
nothing so sweeping in character was
members Of his staff-ColoneI J. r.
Howell. Major Frank Keesling. Major
Thomas o. Rethers. Major c. L. Gill
man and Lieutenant Il H Delamater
TOO MANY OFFICERS
The whole affair hinges around the
old complaint OF too many generals and
suing OF the order yesterday the state
maintained three regiments which were
divided into two brigades each brigade
having a fun quota of gold laced staff
officers. This state of affairs was made
palpably evident at the last encamp-
ment at AtascaderO- Generals. colonies
and majors Of the staf were in super
abundance.
It was then confidently hoped that
-
the simple expedient of enlisting more
priVates. This. however. could not bs
brought about and the upshot was
heartless swinging Of the axe Colonels
and majors who were, retired. One
entire brigade was wiped of the roster.
General Wankowskis staff of Los An
geles businessmen was also abolished,
but the probabilities are that they will
be reappointed TO their respective de-
partments.
It was a cleanup from end to end.
AS matters now stand. the state has
but a single brigade under the com
mand of General Robert Wankowski
and San Francisco for the first time
since the organization of the militia
IS without a division or brigade head
quarters. The Second and Fifth regi-
ments Of infantry, formerly comprIs-
ing the Second brigade. viii join the
Hiking Seventh" Of the south. the
three regiments, together with two
companies Of the signal corps. forming
a brigade
WOULD REFUSE APPOINTMENT
There was rumor that General
Roster would be offered the position
Of chief Of artillery when the arrange
ments have been completed to create
Is companies OF infantry to a militia
~ rQ7r+ he
Of chief of artillery carries only the
ranking Of a colonel and Roster had
no intention Of stepping out a general
and stepping back as a colonel.
Not for me- said he yesterday. Il
don't care to accept the rank Of a
colonel in the same organization in
which have held that of general
They viii have to find somebody else"
Rosters refusal to have anything to
do with the coast artillery corps will
be a decided disappointment TO the
military authorities of the state. He
is an old artillery officer and probably
has a better understanding of approxi-
mate azimuths, elevation and direction
than any other militia officer in Cali
fOrnia II was hoped that he would be
willing 10 whip the new artillery corps
into shape. but decided determination
not 10 take the position will leave Ad-
ing problem on his hands.
SERVED - YEARS
General Roster served % years with
the California national guard. Prior TO
receiving his commission in this state
he won for himself a captaincy in the
Carolina national guard. On taking
Up his residence in California he inarne-
distely identified himself with the ma
tional guard Of the state, his first COM
mission being that of a Lieutenant
The decapitation was not confined
alone 10 the staff officers. The posi-
uOns Of second lieutenants in the two
companies Of signal corps were aboI-
ished, and hereafter each company will
be of1cered by a captain and a first
lieutenant. The second lieutenant, it
was thought. was an unnecessary lux
ury in this crops
While Los Angeles has been made the
headquarters for the brigade, San
Francisco viii be designated as head
quarters for the coast artillery CORPS
and the naval militia. It is expected
that orders viii be issued today con-
verting the several companies OF in
tantry that have been selected for the
artillery service ia that hranch