Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-13
observation-disclosures Difficulty
Near Decision.
BIG RECORD CAUSED DELAY
May Have Bearing on Choice Of
Next Commandant.
LINE AND STAFF AT ODDS
Mai. Gen. Elliott to Retire Novem.
Der 30-Court-MartiAl Grew
Out Of Succession.

Der oO-C0ufC.Maft1el Grew
Out Of Succession.
Official action in the so-called Elliott
Lauchheimer controversy will be an
nounced in a few days by Acting Secre-
tary Winthrop.
The case has been fully considered in all
the regular Official channels. The Secre-
tary of the Navy has determined on his
course Of action.
The delay in announcement is said to
be due to the voluminous. character of the
record and the difficulty of formulating
the letters to the various officials in
volved.
probable action Of the department. 1t is
freely predicted that trouble is in store
for some wen known members Of the
Marine Corps.
The onicials Of the department will
neither admit nor deny reports, combining
themselves to the statement that the &C
ton Of the department will be publicly an
nounced in q few days
1auchheimer Demanded Vindication.
Last December Maj. Charles H. LAUGH
heimer, adjutant and inspector. was sus-
pended from duty for five days by Maj.
Gen. George F. Elliott, comandant Of the
Marine Corps. for alleged infraction of
regulations. Col. Lauchheimer considered
the action a reflection on his record and
asked to have the matter Investigated by
q court Of inquiry.
His request was granted. A court was
convened at the Navy Department early
in March last.
mirals Barker, Davis and Bradford, re-
tired. with Commander John Hood a.
Judge advocate. sinA
The Importance Of the issues was shown
by the strong array Of counsel.
Birney of the washington bar ana Mat.
Henry Leonard, U. 8. NJ. G. The coun-
sci for Col. Lauchheimer were Col
Charles A. Doyen Of the Marine Corps
and Lieut.. Commander Ridley Mclean
OF the navy.
By specific direction of Secretary Meyer
the proceedings of the court were care
fully yelled from the public. All parties
to the controversy were cautioned against
public discussion Of the matter in any
phase.
Court In Secret Session.
AhC CVoiS W0S HI OCSISt SSSOtOu lOA
many weeks. There was every evidence
Of a bitter struggle between counsel and
adherents Of the opposing interests.
The record of the proceedings Of the
court as finally submitted was the bulki-
est thing OF the kind that ever passed
through the department, showing the
thoroughness and extent Of the inquiry.
1t Is Eaid that the record was as volumi-
nous as that in the more famous Samp-
son-Schley controversy.
heimer case has engaged the close atten-
ton Of various officials, including the
judge advocate general OF the navy, the
chief Of the bureau Of navigation. the
assistant secretary Of the navy, the Sec
rotary of the Navy and. to q limited ex-
tent. the President Of the United States.
An important phase OF the investigation
Is its possible bearing on the succession
to Gen. Elliott as commandant of the
corps. Gen. Elliott will retire for age
November 30, but may be retired before
that date under certain conditions.
Although no actual appointment can be
made until Gen: Elliott retires. 1t Is in
chosen by the President as the next COM
mandant Of the corps may be announced
in a short time. There 10 an army OF
candidates for the prospective vacancy
and the contest is vigorous.
Line Against STAFF.
1t is said there are two factions in the
corps one made up mainly Of oficers of
the line. and the other composed mainly
of officers Of the stan corps. Although
not advocating the selection Of any par
ticular officer Gen. Elliott. 1t Is said, on
general principles. holds that the vacan-
cy should be filled by promotion from the
line.
There are eight colonies and seven lieu
tenant colonies OF the line from whom
the selection might be made. The line
officers most generally mentioned in the
gossip are Col w. p. Biddle, Col. L. w.
r. Waller and Lieut.. Coils Barnett, Moses
and Lejeune
The stan officers. on the other hand. 1t
is asserted. contend that the best ma
terial for the next commandant is in the
stan. 1t is reported that they are prac.
tically united In support of Col. Frank
Lauchheimer was one of the most active
workers I'm his behalf.
1t Is stated. Furthermore, that 1t was
the alleged activity OF Col Lauchheimer
in this matter that led to his break with
Gen. Elliott. The SPECIFIC allegation on
which Gen. Elliott based the suspension
Of Col. Lauchheimer was that he had
been keeping tab on the conduct, on
cial and private, OF himself and other Of
ficers. with the alleged purpose Of using
the information in the matter Of the Sc
lection OF the next commandant.
Col. Lauchheimer has Indignantly de-
MED that he has done anything Of the
kind. 1t was to clear his record Of any
vestigation now about to close.