Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-08-06
RESULT OF PROPOSED INVESTI-
CATION OF SECOND BATTAL-
ION o. n. G.. MAY HAVE
BEARING ON FUTURE.
DECLARES NO WRONG DONE
Captain Tooze Says He VIII Make
Complete Statement of Gate Trouble
When Proper Time Comes: Local
Military Situation Not Materially
Affected.

Denying that he had stepped down
md out, as printed in last nights
Portland Telegram, and declaring that
he would have some things to dis
close, when the proper time comes
which will prove of interest to the
public, Captain Walter l.. Tooze Jr.,
Of Company G. O. N. G., one of the
officers accused of disobeying orders
from a superior officer during the
recent army maneuvers at Gate,
Wash, this morning gave The OBJ
server the following interview re-
garding some phases of the question:
Il am not yet prepared to make a
'ull and complete statement of the
affair" said Captain Tooze, lowing to
he unsettled condition of the inves-
igation to be made. The Telegram
asst night stated that | had stepped
lown and out. This is not true
I'm merely keeping quiet for the
ime being. However, | will say as
have repeatedly said, when the
proper time arrives | will make full
md complete statement, and | will
nave some things to say that will
prove of interest to the public never
lisobeyed my orders, have not done
my wrong, and for that reason | am
lot at all alarmed over any turn the
situation may take.
Warm supporter of Guard.
First, last, and always, | am a
warm supporter of the Oregon Ma
tional Guard. For nearly ten years |
have been identified with it, and dur
ing the past three years have been an
officer. The citizens of Dallas and
country know full well
the time and care l have given to it.
at u sacrifice to myself and my bust
ness. l love the work, and the organ
zation, and | am proud of my COM
pany, and for that reason | do not
care to say anything that will injure
either, unless | am forced to do so.
However, it is my prediction that
in case a full investigation of the af-
fair is made, as is being demanded by
he accused officers in Portland, and
by the Spanish American War veter
ans, matters will come to light that
will tend to affect the whole National
iuard organization, and that will find
heir way to the war department of
he United States, and eventually cast
heir influence upon the future ac-
ions of officers of the regular army.
Believes in STAFF.
"As | understand it, the general
staff has ordered the disbandment of
he second battalion. In regard to
his, ! will say that ! believe that the
general staff has the best interests
If the Guard at heart, and that ii has
lcted in the manner that appeared !
,est However, the staff may be i'll |
ldvised. and its action too hasty, or
possibly wrong. In matters of this |
Kind, as i'm all others where men must .
.ct, men may make mistakes. From .
IN absolutely true statement Of the /.
flair. if the truth were known to the I
tan as / know it, this action would .
,e wrong, for there would be no I
ause for such an order No crime .
vas committed except as committed I
through and by the newspapers 4
eeking to furnish their readers with
ensational stuff.
THE effect of the dlsbandment or I
Ter will be to give the members Of .
he second battalion honorable dis
harges, with the privilege Of re-en-
Isting as soon as reorganization is I
aiken up. The order will not affect .
he local situation very much. Owing .
o the armory another company will 1
be stationed here, and .
u present members will be entitled .
o re-enlist. / have this information .
rom a very reliable source. and Il is .
therefore, Trustworthy
Stafrin in Charge.
Receipt Of official orders on Satur-
ay by First Lieutenant Conrad Stat
in Of Company G. .. y. C.. was the
rst official Information received ia J.
jallas Of the intention Of the Adjutant
ienerals office To muster ont the en-
Ire Second battalion of the Third
cgiment Of the National Guard. Lieu
anant Stafrin's orders instructed him
% take charge Of the armory in this
ity. lock il up and hold all state
rOperty in readiness for tho muster
ut proceedings It was stated that
member Of Adjutant General Fin
er's staff would come 90 Dallas FOR
be purpose Of mastering out the
ompany and closing up its affairs.
According o. statements made hy
General FINER this disband-
lg of the battalion closes the matter
b FAR as his office d. concerned The
rder affects companies a.. p H and
;. and the battalion headquarters.
/ is not stated whether or not al %
b. men viii be taken hack 10 They
are o. enlist but it Is declared that
ONE of them VIII not De- received.
! is given out that there were 81 men
this battalion who were not at Gate
nd Therefore took no part ln the al
ged mutinous conduct. and conse-
uentiy cannot b. accused of the
reach of discipline charged 90 the