Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-21

By direction Of the President Maj. Sam
uel E. Smiley, United States Army. will
be relieved of duty with the District OF
Columbia Militia and will rejoin an in
fantry regiment April I. While on detail
as adjutant general of the militia he
holds rank in the militia as lieutenant
colonel.
Maj. Smiley has completed four years
in accordance with the policy OF the War
with the regulars.
The news of his proposed departure has
set the tongues wagging in the National
Guard. and many conjectures are being
offered as to the army officer who Will
next be detailed here to fill the important
post of adjutant general. Several names
have been suggested. but the actual ap-
pointment depends entirely on the rec
ommendation Of Brig. Gen. George H
Harr1es and the disposition Of the war
Department. A list of names OF omcers
acceptable to him will be sent to the War
days.
Rumors have been afloat recently that
Capt ]. B. Allison. now detailed as in
structor-inspector of the National Guard
Smiley. but this is hardly probable In
view of the War Departments recent
policy concerning the proper mixture OF
detached service and service with troops.
and also because Capt. Allison has al
ready been notified of his return to his
regiment next fall. An officer to be
eligible for a four-year detail on de-
tached service must have been on duty
with troops or with his own corps or
department for the two years Immediate
ly preceding such detail This Is the
rule of the deparement concerning four
year details. Under II the War Depart
ment is now making several big changes.
Capt. Love Also Spoken Of.
Capt. james B. Love, who until few
days ago was on duty with the National
Guard, and who is now in Kentucky on
similar duty has been spoken of as the
next adjutant general, but the same rule
will apply in this case. and Maj. Smiley
successor is. still matter of conjecture.
Mai. Francis ]. Rooster also has been
mentioned as a possibility.
Mai Smiley's administration of the Of
fee Of adjutant general OF the National
Guard has been marked with success,
and several big steps In the development
of the brigade have been taken during his
detail here.
His first camp Of instruction was held
in 1903, when the brigade manned the
coast defense guns at Fort washington
and Fort Hunt. Maj. Smiley was unable
in 1868, but he was a conspicuous hgure
at the Gettysburg joint maneuvers. at the
officers school at Fort Myer last sum-
mer and at the camp Of instruction at
Frederick, Md.
Graduated in 1885.
He was a cadet at the Military Acad-
envy at West Point in the years from
1881 to 1885, receiving his commission as
H. y, tod xfx,S
Infantry in June of the latter year; be-
came first lieutenant in the 10th United
States Infantry April -. 1882, and was
promoted to the rank OF captain III that
regiment March 2, 1889.
He was detailed as adjutant general
of the brigade here in the spring or
1908, and was promoted to the rank OF
major of the I'd United States Infantry
a few days after coming here. lie Is
at present on the detached list, and Tor
that reason it is not known what regi-
ment he will join.
One of the big problems Whlch MAJ.
Smiley is now handling Is the prepare
ton and steering" of legislation al,
fecting the pay OF national guard
troops The House of representatives
dropped out an item from the appro.
nriation bill providing for the payment
Of District National Guardsmen at
camps of instruction. This item, 1t Is
hoped by those interested. will be re-
stored by the Senate.