The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-07-26
Army and
Navy News

Major B. B. Ray, paymaster of the
district of Hawaii, Department of Cali
fornia. Of the United States Army, is
not to leave Honolulu, stories to the
contrary Notwithstanding. He wants
10 stay here, and stated last night that,
so far as he knows, there is no ikeli-
hood of his leaving the islands before
next spring, even though the bait of a
more important position be dangled be-
fore him to tempt him away. cha
waii,' said the Major last night, els
a pretty good place and I do not ex-
pect to leave here until I have finish
ed up the work upon which I am now
engaged. which viii not be before next
Spring, anyway. I have asked that I
be allowed to remain here until that
time, and, so far as I know, my re-
quest will be complied with
In story published on July 16 the
San Francisco Cali makes Major Ray
the glove with which President Taft
slaps at Pierpont Morgan. According
to this story, the major is to be trans
ferred to the position of paymaster Of
the Department of the Lakes, with
headquarters at Chicago, which is con-
sdered one of the big, fat plums of
the paymasters department. The Call
says:
"'That President Taft has deliberate
ly, quietly and without any connection
given J. Pierpont Morgan an undis-
guised political slap in the face, was
made known in army circles last night
when it was learned that Major Beech
err B. Ray, bitter enemy of Morgan 8
nephew in law, Colonel Hamilton s.
Wallace, had been appointed to one of
the most coveted positions in the SER
vice-that of paymaster for the de-
partment of the lakes, with headquar-
tiers in Chicago. The official announce
ment will be made in a few days.
''The appointment is another step
in army squabble, fought mainly over
the tea cups and around the petticoats
of Manila femininity.
Ray and Wallace joined the army
in 1898, Ray being the superior. But
Wallace had married Morgan s niece.
| Therefore, it befell that those who rule
| in Washington came to the conclusion
| that Wallace would make an excellent
colonel; and colonel he was made,
ONtT JuG utduS Oh Ills S6nlQI OuCeTSs
| "But he had rival in Ray.
"The rivalry between Ray and Wal
| lace was hot from the outset. Ulti-
mately the two found themselves in
| Manila with Wallace as Rays superior
| officer.
| t'Then from behind the scenes pow
erful influences were set to work. Ma
| jor Ray was informed that there was
some question about his pay accounts
| There was no open charge; not at all
merely an inspection and some talk
about an $87 mistake in his accounts
| Lieutenant Colonel WILDER K
| Wilder made an investigation and com
| pletely exonerated Ray. There was a
| furious time in army circles and it was
! openly charged that the entire business
| had been brought about through spite
| and at the behest of influential monied
| interests.
| Recently, through the retirement of
Colonel Tucker, the position of pay
| master of the department of the lakes
fell vacant and there were wild guesses
as to whether j. Pierpont Morgan was
strong enough to block Rays appoint
ment The army knew that the strong
est kind of wire pulling from civilian
| sources was going on and the interest
| was keen.
"Last night it was given out un-
officially that Taft had given the job
| to Ray and there was general feel
| ing of satisfaction at the announce
ment. Major Ray is now in Honolulu.
RAY was active in Taft s behalf dur
ing the recent political campaign -
Major Ray, however, does not look
upon transfer to Chicago as prefera-
| BILE to life in Honolulu. ''There is
nothing in the story" he says at
least so far as I know. and l think
[ would know if any such change were
being considered I want to stay here
and hope to be allowed to do so.''
Major Ray and Mrs. Ray returned
last night from Haleiwa where they
had been spending the day. The major
was enthusiastic over the good time
they had enjoyed.
Silva Is the Man.
The sharply contested rivalry be-
tween Sergeant NJ. NJ. Silva, of Com
| pany B, N G. H., and Sergeant Huihui
of Company F, as to which should be
| the one to go with the rifle team to
the national shoot at Camp Perry. next
/ week was settled on the range yester-
day, Sergeant Silva being the lucky
| man.
Adjutant General Jones announced
week ago the names of the team and
| the alternates, but stated that there
was a contest between two men as to
| which should be chosen. The choice
| depended upon their ability to shoot,
and Silva demonstrated yesterday that
the palm belongs to him. He made a
total score of 271 against 2lS made
| by Sergeant Huihui.
All the boys, who were out at the
butts yesterday, made good scores and
prospects appear very bright for Ha-
waii at the big shoot.
Army Mounts.